Lesson 1 - WHMIS and its Importance Introduction to WHMIS What is WHMIS? Why do we need WHMIS? How does WHMIS affect me?

The Big Idea!! WHMIS deals with chemical safety and proper labeling in the workplace… it is law in Canada Consumer Products labeling deals with warning labels on household items that you can buy at grocery stores or hardware stores

What is WHMIS ? What does WHMIS stand for? Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System What does WHMIS do? WHMIS controls the safety labels on all chemicals for our safety

What is WHMIS ? WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Material Information System WHMIS is a government controlled set of rules that all businesses must comply with for worker safety WHMIS regulates labels on chemicals and informative symbols so that safety is consistent across the country

What Symbols? WHMIS uses 8 symbols which represent different types of threats that chemicals can cause. They look like…

Consumer Symbols There is also a set of symbols that are used on everyday consumer items, however because those chemicals are very basic, there are only 4 different symbols. They are…

Looking at Examples Here are a bunch of items found in any grocery store What are the labels trying to tell us?

What Symbols? EXPLOSIVE These materials can expand at a high rate which can be extremely dangerous and harmful COROSIVE These materials can create chemical reactions that will dissolve or “eat away” flesh

What Symbols? FLAMABLE These materials can catch fire very easily, keep flames and sparks away POISONOUS These materials can be toxic to your health if they are ingested or absorbed into your body

Consumer Symbols The four consumer symbols are paired up with one of three polygons to represent the degree of danger the chemical represents. They are… DANGER WARNING CAUTION

Consumer Symbols Danger signifies the greatest risk of harm Warning signifies that the risk is high, but not probable Caution signifies the lowest risk of the three DANGER WARNING CAUTION

W.H.M.I.S. WHMIS SYMBOLS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System CLASS B: FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL This class includes solids, liquids, and gases capable of catching fire in the presence of a spark or open flame. CLASS A: COMPRESSED GAS This class includes compressed gases, dissolved gases, and gases liquefied by compression or refrigeration. CLASS D: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL Division 1 : Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects. These materials can cause death or immediate injury when a person is exposed to small amounts. CLASS C: OXIDIZING MATERIAL These materials increase the risk of fire if they come in contact with flammable or combustible materials.

W.H.M.I.S. WHMIS SYMBOLS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System CLASS D: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL Division 3: Biohazardous Infectious MATERIAL. Contain harmful micro-organisms that have been classified into Risk Groups 2, 3, and 4. CLASS F: DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE MATERIAL. These products may self-react dangerously (for example, they may explode) upon standing or when exposed to physical shock or to increased pressure or temperature, or they emit toxic gases when exposed to water. CLASS D: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL Division 2 : Materials Causing Other Toxic EFFECTS. Cause life-threatening and serious long-term health problems or less severe but immediate reactions in a person who is repeatedly exposed. CLASS E: CORROSIVE MATERIAL This class includes caustic and acid materials that can destroy the skin or eat through metals.