2. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. This system provides workers and employers nationwide with vital information about hazardous materials. It has been in effect since October 31, 1988. It was developed through a combined initiative involving labor, industry, and federal/provincial/territorial governments.

4. It satisfies the employees ‘legislated right to know’ about the hazards they may encounter during the course of work. WHMIS protects the health and safety of employees by reducing the occurrences of injury or illness caused by hazardous materials in the workplace. WHMIS legislation applies to controlled products, which are used, stored and handled at any workplace. A controlled product is any hazardous substance or material, which meets or exceeds the criteria for inclusion in one or more of the WHMIS hazard classes.

6. Compressed Gas: This class includes compressed gases, dissolved gases and gases liquefied by compression or refrigeration. Heat may cause the container to explode, it should be stored away from heat or potential sources of ignition. A drop or impact may cause this container to explode, so handle with care. EXAMPLES: Cylinders of acetylene, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, neon, chlorine, ammonia, and fire extinguishers.

7. Flammable and Combustible Material: Solids, liquids, gases capable of catching fire or exploding in the presence of a source of ignition. This material is a potential fire hazard. Sparks, flame or friction could ignite it. May burst into flames spontaneously in air or release a flammable gas on contact with water, It may burn at relatively low temperatures. Never smoke when working with or near these materials. Store in a cool, fire-proof area. EXAMPLES: hydrogen, methane, propane, kerosene, diesel fuel, white phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and butane

8. Oxidizing Material: Materials that provide oxygen or similar substance and which increase the risk of fire if they come in contact with flammable or combustible materials. This material is a fire or explosion risk near flammable or combustible material. Keep the material away from sources of ignition and never smoke when working with or near the material. May burn skin or eyes on contact. EXAMPLES: sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine and hypochlorites (AKA ‘Javex’)‏

9. Division 1 Poisonous and Infectious Material: Immediate and serous toxic effects: This division covers materials which can cause death of a person to small amounts. Handle the material with extreme caution, it may be fatal or cause permanent damage if it in inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. May burn skin or eyes. Wash and shower thoroughly after using. Avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas and/or wearing respiratory equipment. EXAMPLES: sodium cyanide, hydrogen sulphide.

10. Division 2 Poisonous and Infectious Material: Other toxic effects: this division covers materials which cause immediate eye and skin irritation as well as those which can cause long-term effects in a person repeatedly exposed to small amounts. This material is poisonous but not immediately dangerous to health, death or permanent damage result from repeated exposure over time. May be a skin irritant, a sensitizer causing allergic reactions, cause cancer, cause birth defects or sterility. Avoid skin and eye contact along with inhalation while working with these products by wearing the proper protective equipment. EXAMPLES: acetone, asbestos and toluene diisocyanate.

11. Division 3 Poisonous and Infectious Material: Biohazardous/Infectious Material: this division applies to materials which contain harmful microorganisms. May cause a serious disease resulting in illness or death. Take every measure to avoid contamination. Handle the material only when fully protected by the proper, designed equipment. Store in designated areas only. EXAMPLES: cultures or diagnostic specimens containing salmonella bacteria or the hepatitis B virus.

12. Corrosive Material: acid or caustic materials which can destroy the skin or eat through metals. Causes severe eye and skin irritation upon contact and will cause severe tissue damage with prolonged contact. May be harmful if inhaled. Avoid inhaling by using well-ventilated areas only and/or wearing the proper respiratory equipment. EXAMPLES: sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide, hydrofluoric acid, some household cleaners, water treatment chemicals, ammonia and hydrogen chloride.

13. Dangerously Reactive Material: products which can undergo dangerous reaction if subjected to heat, pressure, shock, or allowed to contact water. The material is very unstable, undergoes vigorous polymerization. May react with water to release toxic or flammable gas Open containers carefully, do not drop. Store material in designated cool, flameproof areas. EXAMPLES: calcium carbonate, benzoyl peroxide, copper and mercury azides

15. The workplace label contains three types of information: 1.Product Identifier 2.Safe Handling Information 3.Reference to Material Safety Data Sheet

16. Appears on controlled products in the following situations: containers that do not have a supplier label Where the supplier label has become illegible or worn off. When a product is decanted or transferred to another container, other than the original.

17. The supplier/manufacture of the material is required by the legislation to affix this label on all controlled products prior to distribution. Supplier labels are easy recognizable by their distinctive hatched borders. In Canada the information on the label must be written in both French and English.

18. There are eight (8) basic categories of content that are required on supplier labels. Depending on the size and type of container, all or some of the eight categories will be included on the supplier labels: Product Identifier Supplier Identifier Reference to Material Safety Data Sheet Hazard Symbols Risk Phrase(s) Precautionary Measure(s) First Aid Measures Emergency Phone Number (for laboratory samples)

19. Exceptions to workplace labels may apply where an individual worker fills a container with a controlled product for his/her personal use for the duration of one shift only. For example, a worker may fill a container with a cleaning solution for the duration of a task, in which case a WHMIS workplace label is not required. In this case, identification can be limited to the product name, colour, number or letter codes. (At no time should a controlled product be in a container, no matter how small, without this minimum of identification).

21. Technical and legal document. Must be available in English and the major language of the workplace. (English and French in Canada)‏ Made available by the supplier to the employer/employee who are exposed to the product Must be updated every three years

22. The MSDS must have the following (9) headings: 1) Product Identification and Use Product name, identification number and use as well as information on how to contact the supplier or manufacturer. 2) Hazardous Ingredients The identity of the ingredients, their concentrations and estimates of immediate and severe health effects (acute toxicity).

23. The MSDS must have the following (9) headings: 3) Physical Data Physical description of the product. 4) Fire and Explosion Data Information on the ability of the product to catch fire or explode, and means of fire fighting. 5) Reactivity Data The ability of the product to react dangerously.

24. The MSDS must have the following (9) headings: 6) Toxicological Properties (Health Effects) Information on how materials enter the body and what the short and long term health effects are. 7) Preventive Measures Information on control measures including ventilation, personal protective equipment (gloves, respirators, etc.) and safe work procedures.

25. The MSDS must have the following (9) headings: 8) First Aid Measures Information on immediate treatment in case of illness or injury. 9) Preparation Information Information on who prepared the MSDS and when. MSDS must be reviewed and updated every 3 years, or more often if there are changes to any of the information.

27. Many chemical substances or biological agents are only harmful if taken into the body. This may occur in one of four ways: Inhalation via the respiratory system Absorption across the skin Ingestion into the digestive system Through the eye.

28. Inhalation of chemicals into the lungs is one of the major routes of chemical entry Chemicals may be inhaled through the respiratory system in the form of dust particles, vapors, gases, mists, fumes or smoke. Many of these chemicals once they have entered the lungs readily gain access to the circulatory system. Effects from inhalation result from short – term exposure to long-term exposure.

29. Chemicals may be absorbed through the skin’s two layers, epidermis and dermis, into the underlying small blood vessels and then into the circulatory system. Many chemicals readily cause various degrees of skin irritation, dermatitis or corrosive burns to the unprotected skin. Certain chemicals have also been linked to skin cancer.

30. All forms of chemicals such as gases, vapors, mists, dusts, smoke, fumes, liquids and solids can gain entry to the digestive system. Chemicals usually first gain entry via the mouth and continue on its path through the entire gastrointestinal system – esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine.

31. Chemicals in the form of a liquid, dust, vapor, gas aerosol or mist can gain entry into the eye. Our eyes have such a rich supply of blood vessels, which enable the chemical agents to have access to the body’s circulatory system. Chemicals can range from being essentially non-irritating to the eye, to causing irreversible corneal damage as a result of corrosive chemical burn.

32. At the source of the hazard: Substitution of a less hazardous substance. Enclosure. Change of process to minimize worker exposure.

33. The path between the source and the worker: Local exhaust at the point of generation of an airborne contaminant. dilution ventilation with clean air. barriers.

34. At the worker: medical surveillances Education. Personal protective equipment. (safety glasses, goggles, face shield, full suit, dust and vapor respirators, air supplies hood or mask.)‏

35. Government To ensure compliance with the legislation through workplace inspections. Supplier/Manufacturer Provide supplier labels with their products Provide material safety data sheets for their products.

36. Employer Maintain an inventory of all hazardous materials present in the workplace. Properly label all controlled products in the workplace. Collect or prepare MSDS for all controlled products in the workplace. Make all MSDS on controlled products found in the workplace available and accessible. Develop and implement an employee education program.

37. Employee Participate in training. Apply knowledge gained from for safe use, storage, handling and disposal of controlled products. Notify the employer if a label becomes illegible.