Summary of what you kneed to know WHMIS training Summary of what you kneed to know

What is WHMIS ? The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's hazard communication standard.

What are the main parts of WHMIS? The main components of WHMIS are: hazard identification and product classification, labelling, material safety data sheets, and worker training and education.

Why was WHMIS created? It was created in response to the Canadian workers' right to know about the safety and health hazards that may be associated with the materials or chemicals they use at work.

Exposure to hazardous materials can cause or contribute to many serious health effects such as effects on the nervous system, kidney or lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns and rashes.

Some hazardous materials are safety hazards and can cause fires or explosions. WHMIS was created to help stop the injuries, illnesses, deaths, medical costs, and fires caused by hazardous materials.

What are controlled products? Controlled products is the name given to products, materials, and substances that are regulated by WHMIS legislation. All controlled products fall into one or more of six WHMIS classes.

The 6 WHMIS classes: 1. Class A: Compressed gas 2. Class B: Flammable and Combustible material 3. Class C: Oxidizing material

4. Class D: Poisonous and Infectious materials Division 1 (D1) - Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects Division 2 (D2) - Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects Division 3 (D3) - Biohazardous Infectious Material

5. Class E: Corrosive material 6. Class F: Dangerously Reactive material

Labeling controlled products Under WHMIS regulations most controlled products must be labeled. Supplier labels and workplace labels are the only two types used in WHMIS. All WHMIS labels have to be clear, easy to read and prominently displayed on the product container.

Supplier labels Display these seven pieces of information: material identification number or product name - this is a designation or identification of a material, supplier's name and address, reference to the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for more information, WHMIS hazard symbols for each of the classes to which the product belongs, main hazards of the product including risk phrases appropriate to the class of material, precautionary measures, first aid measures.

Workplace labels This label does not need as much information as the supplier label: material identifier or product name, reference to a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for further information, information on how to use the product safely.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) WHMIS MSDSs have nine categories of information: Section 1 - Product Information: including identification and use Section 2 - Hazardous Ingredients: listing of ingredients considered hazardous as well as each ingredient's concentration, etc. Section 3 - Physical Information: form, odor, appearance, pH, etc. Section 4 - Fire or Explosion Hazard: conditions of flammability, flash point, etc.

Section 5 - Reactivity Information: conditions of instability, reactivity, decomposition, etc. Section 6 - Health Hazard Information: route of entry, effects of exposure, exposure limits, etc. Section 7 - Preventive Measures: personal protective equipment, waste disposal, storage, etc. Section 8 - First Aid Measures Section 9 - Preparation Information and Update: person who wrote MSDS, date of preparation

WHMIS is Law WHMIS became law effective October 31, 1988. This applies to all of Canada. WHMIS legislation includes: the HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS ACT and the HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION REVIEW ACT. In Newfoundland: Occupation Health and Safety Act Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulations

What are our duties under WHMIS? Suppliers, employers and workers all have specified responsibilities in the Hazardous Products Act.

A Suppliers duty... Canadian suppliers are those who sell or import products. When this product is considered a "controlled product" according to the WHMIS legislation, a supplier must label the product or container, and they must provide a material safety data sheet (MSDS) to their customers.

An Employers duty... Employers are required to establish education and training programs for workers exposed to hazardous products in the workplace. Employers must also make sure that the products are labeled and that an MSDS is present for each product and that they are readily available to workers.

A Workers duty... Workers are required to participate in the training programs and to use this information to help them work safely with hazardous materials. They may also inform employers when labels on containers have been accidentally removed or if the label is no longer readable.

On-line WHMIS training http://access.nscc.ns.ca/safety/whmis.htm Where to find WHMIS symbols: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/whmis/whmis_symbols.htm Where to find Hazardous Household Product Symbols: http://www.region.peel.on.ca/pw/waste/resident/hhw.htm

Know WHMIS symbols and the nine MSDS categories Know the Hazardous Household Product Symbols