WHMIS

WHMIS stands for:

W WORKPLACE

H HAZARDOUS

M MATERIALS

I INFORMATION

S SYSTEM

Purpose of WHMIS

• To keep all Canadian workers safe in the workplace…

Responsibilities Under WHMIS

• Duties of the Supplier– Classify Product– Apply Supplier Label– Provide Material Safety Data Sheet

(MSDS)

Responsibilities Under WHMIS

• Duties of the Employer– Conduct Workplace Inventory– Ensure Proper Labeling is Used– Maintain and Make Available MSDS’s– Train Workers

Responsibilities Under WHMIS

• Duties of a Worker– Participate in Training– Apply Knowledge and Training– KEEP YOURSELF SAFE!!

“Right to Know”

• Workers have Access to Information through their Employer

• Don’t be a “yes” employee…

Supplier Label

• Product Identifier

• Hazard Symbols

• Risk Phrases and Precautions

• First Aid, Supplier Information

• Precautions

• Safe Handling Precautions

• Reference to MSDS

What has a WHMIS label?

• Only materials that are deemed hazardous and are found in the workplace require WHMIS labels

• Your nail polish remover, bathroom cleaner, etc. at home are covered separately

WHMIS Hazard Classifications

• Compressed Gas– Any Hazardous Material that is

contained under pressure including compressed gas, dissolved gas, or liquefied gas

Compressed Gas Cylinders

• store and transport with safety cap, because…

• comply with storage restrictions, because…

• DO NOT store fuel gas with oxygen, because…

• secure in an upright position, because…

• use in a well ventilated area, because…

• use the proper type of regulator and know its history, because…

Fun with compressed gas cylinders

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejEJGNLTo84

• Flammable and Combustible Material– Any material which can catch fire or

combust when placed near another material

– Includes solids, liquids and gases

Flammable Materials

• Store liquids in Flammable Storage Cabinet

• Pour larger quantities in fume hood

• NEVER store with oxidizers

• Keep away from heat, ignition sources, and direct sunlight

• Oxidizing Material– Any Hazardous Material which causes

or contributes to the combustion of another material by giving it oxygen

– Eg. Pool & spa test strips, ozone, bleach…

Oxidizers

• Easily oxidize metal powders, organic materials

• Store away from other materials, such as organic solvents

• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Poisonous & Infectious Materials

(Class 1)– “poisonous”– Causes immediate and serious effects

• Poisonous & Infectious Materials

(Class 2) – Toxic Materials– “toxic” (looks like a capital T)– Material causing other chronic or long

term effects (cancer, birth defects, etc.)

• Poisonous & Infectious Materials

(Class 3)- Biohazards– Materials which may cause disease in

humans and animals, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi; may also include cultures and diagnostic specimens such as blood, urine, and body tissue.

• Corrosive Material– Material which may corrode aluminum

and steel or human flesh– Can be liquid or gases

Corrosives at Home

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfDVLsBXYcM

• From “Fight Club”

• Dangerously Reactive Material– Materials which become self-reactive

under conditions of shock, or increased temperature or pressure

– Materials which react vigorously with water to produce a very toxic gas

General Dry Chemicals

•Relatively innocuous or unreactive

•No special storage requirements

•Relatively innocuous or unreactive

•No special storage requirements

Quiz time!

WHMIS “Name that Symbol”

Poisonous Biohazard

WHMIS “Name that Symbol”

Flammable Corrosive

WHMIS “Name that Symbol”

Dangerously Reactive Toxic

WHMIS “Name that Symbol”

Oxidizers Compressed Gas

WHMIS Labels

Workplace Label

• Product Identifier

• Safe Handling Precautions

• Reference to MSDS

Typical Workplace Labels

MSDS Contents

• Hazardous Ingredients

• Preparation Information

• Fire & Explosion Hazard

• Toxicological Properties

• First Aid Measures

• Product Information

• Physical Data

• Reactivity Data

• Preventative Measures

Product Information

• Product Identifier

• Manufacturer’s/Supplier’s Name and Address

• Emergency Telephone Number

• Product Use

Physical Data

• Odour Threshold

• Vapour Pressure

• Coefficient of Water/Oil Distribution

• Boiling Point (oC) and Freezing Point (oC)

• Evaporation Rate (Butyl Acetate=1)

• Physical State

• Odour & Appearance

• Specific Gravity (Water=1)

• Vapour Density (Air=1)

• pH

• Percent Volatile (by volume)

Fire & Explosion Hazard

• Conditions of Flammability• Means of Extinction

• Sensitivity to Mechanical Impact

• Sensitivity to Static Discharge

• Flashpoint (oC) and Method

• Upper and Lower Flammable Limits (%)

• Autoignition Temperature (oC)

• Hazardous Combustion Products

It’s all about a safe workplace!

Spot the Hazards

Spot the Hazards

Work time!

• Fill in the blanks using the MSDS sheet that you have been given