WHMIS What does it stand for?

WHMIS Stands for: W orkplace H azardous M aterials I nformation S ystem

WHMIS – Why? WHMIS provides us with information on the safe use, storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials at Canadian workplaces. WHMIS uses symbols to indicate materials that may be harmful to us.

The WHMIS Symbols:

What do all of these symbols mean?

Class A: COMPRESSED GAS Chemicals such as oxygen or acetylene that are kept under pressure in a container. Hairspray, any aerosol cans

Class B: FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL Materials and chemicals that will easily ignite. Rubbing alcohol, hairspray, propane, butane lighters, bug spray

Class C: OXIDIZING MATERIAL Chemicals that are usually not combustible by themselves but they contain oxygen which helps other materials burn. Eg. Chlorine for pools, oven cleaner, hydrogen peroxide

Class D1 – POISONOUS or INFECTIOUS MATERIALS Will cause immediate poisoning, sickness or death in a short period of time Eg. Rat poison, rubbing alcohol

Class D2 – POISONOUS or INFECTIOUS MATERIALS Will have long term effects on health Effects may not show up for years – poisoning over time. Eg. cancer, emphysema Eg. Insecticides, Herbicides, Terpentine

Class D3 – BIOHAZARDOUS INFECTIOUS MATERIAL May contain germs or viruses that could infect you and cause disease. Eg. waste from a hospital, needles, bandages, vaccines etc.

Class E – CORROSIVE MATERIAL Such as acid which may attack metal or skin Eg. ammonia, hydrochloric acid, draino

Class F – REACTIVE MATERIAL May react violently causing explosion or sudden release of gases. May do so when mixed with other materials. Eg. Sodium, epoxy resins (strong glue), acetylene torches (welding)

POP QUIZ Do you remember the symbols??

Class D1 – Poisonous and Infectious Materials

Class A – Compressed Gas

Class D3 – Biohazardous and Infectious Materals

Class E – Corrosive Material

What is an MSDS? M aterial S afety D ata S heet

When do we use an MSDS? Every product that may be hazardous MUST have an MSDS that tells us the dangers of the material and how to safely handle and dispose of it.

What are the parts of an MSDS An MSDS has 9 sections: 1.Product Identification and Use 2.Hazardous Ingredients 3.Physical Data 4.Fire and Explosion Data 5.Reactivity Data 6.Toxicological Properties 7.Preventative Measures 8.First Aid Measures 9.Preparation Date of MSDS

1. Product Identification and Use Manufacturer's name Supplier's name

Hazardous Ingredients List any that are in the product

Physical Data Colour Form Solubility Melting and boiling points Vapour pressure Specific gravity

Fire and Explosion Data Flammability Flashpoint Fire fighting procedures

Reactivity Data Stability and Hazards

Toxicological Properties Threshold Limit Values (TLV) Effects of exposure Carcinogenicity (does it cause cancer?)

Preventative Measures Protective clothing Protective equipment Spill and handling procedures

First Aid Measures How to administer first aid if an accident does occur with the product

Preparation Date of MSDS When the product was packages and the MSDS was prepared.