1. Workplace Hazardous Materials
WHMIS
Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System

2. Purpose of WHMIS
WHMIS is a plan for providing information on the safe use of hazardous materials.
Provide students with the uniform and appropriate information required to handle hazardous material safely.

3. Chemical Hazards Routes of exposure include: Inhalation Ingestion
Absorption
Injection
When we talk about chemical hazards, it is important that we understand how they affect us.
Explain each and give an example.
Inhalation – breathing the chemical in, when chemicals are mislabeled – people have a tendancy to remember chemicals by their smell, but they could be toxic.
Ingestion – eating it. No one should be drinking the chemicals, but this happens because of poor hygiene (ingest through eating, smoking, putting hands near our face etc..
Absorption – chemcials absorbed through skin or soft tissue (eyes nose mouth) – same as above
Injection – injected into the body (could happen from needles that are found in the school yard. Do not recap needles. Put them in the sharps container. Do not pick up needles with your bare hands, use gloves or a paper towel etc...

4. Class A: Compressed Gas
Compressed, dissolved or liquefied gases.
Gas inside cylinder is under pressure and may explode if heated or damaged.
Sudden release of high pressure gas can damage or burn skin.
Transport and handle with care; make sure cylinders are properly secured.
Store away from sources of heat or fire.
Examples: propane gas tanks, spray cans, oxygen tanks, etc.

5. Case Study
California A 45-year old male shipfitter/welder died when an oxygen cylinder he drilled into exploded and propelled him into a stationary band saw. The shipfitter had been asked to drill and cut up acetylene cylinders that were marked with an "X" in a circle. The oxygen cylinder had the same marking. The company had no written procedures on the destruction and salvage of compressed gas cylinders.
Faulty Gas Cylinder Regulator Causes Explosion A chemist was seriously injured in a laboratory when opening the valve on a compressed gas cylinder. The regulator exploded and shattered her jawbone causing unconsciousness. The investigation found a fault in the regulator. The regulator was about 10 years old and may have been retrofitted during that time.

6. Class B: Flammable & Combustible Material.
Flammable: burns readily at room temp (a flashpoint below 37.8°C)
Combustible: burns when heated (a flashpoint at or above 37.8°C)
May burn or explode when exposed to heat, sparks or flames.
Store away from Class C (oxidizers).
Store away from sources of heat, sparks and flame.
Essentially materials that continue to burn after being exposed to a flame or other ignition source
Examples: ethanol, methanol, acetone; phenol, butane, varnishes, spray paints, etc.

7. Dwight’s Fire Drill 

8. Class C: Oxidizing Material
Oxidizers can cause other materials to burn or explode by providing oxygen
Examples: potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide.
Oxidizers can increase the speed & intensity of a fire and cause substances that do not normally burn readily in air to burn rapidly.
Oxidizers can cause combustible materials to burn spontaneously without the presence of obvious ignition sources such as a spark or flame.
May burn skin and eyes on contact.
Store away from Class B materials and sources of heat and ignition.
Oxygen
hydrogen peroxide
ammonium permanganate
calcium hypochlorite

9. Drops of glycerin are placed onto Potassium Permanganate (strong oxidizer)
A few drops of glycerin are placed into a hollow in a pile of potassium permanganate. Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizing agent and glycerin is an easily oxidized substance. Consequently a redox type reaction is expected between these two substances. An exothermic reaction does occur with the glycerin boiling giving off smoke and eventually producing a flame that spreads around the pile of potassium permanganate. Eventually all the glycerin is consumed by the permanganate.

10. Class D, Division 1 Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects
May cause immediate death or serious injury if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin.
Small volumes can have a toxic effect.
Wear the recommended protective equipment and clothing.
Avoid inhaling gas or vapours.
Wash hands after handling.
Examples: CO, sodium cyanide, sulphuric acid
carbon monoxide, sodium cyanide, sulphuric acid

11. Class D, Division 2 Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects
May cause death or permanent injury following repeated or long-term exposure (liver, kidney damage, cancer, sterility).
May irritate eyes, skin and breathing passages: may lead to chronic lung problems and skin sensitivity.
Wear the recommended protective equipment and clothing.
Wash hands after handling.
Examples: Asbestos, mercury, acetone, benzene, lead

12. Class D, Division 3 Biohazardous Infectious Material
Contact with microbiological agents (e.g., bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and their toxins) may cause illness or death or anaphylactic shock.
Wear the recommended protective equipment and clothing.
Work with these materials in designated areas.
Disinfect area after handling and wash hands.
Examples: Bodily fluids (Blood/Urine), mould, AIDS/HIV

13. Class E: Corrosive Material
Chemicals will react with metals and living tissue (can burn eyes and skin on contact).
Will burn tissues of respiratory tract if inhaled.
Avoid inhaling these materials.
Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Examples: sulfuric and nitric acids, battery acids, ammonium gas, sodium hydroxide, chlorine, etc.

14. Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material
May be unstable, reacting dangerously to jarring, compression, heat or exposure to light.
May burn, explode or produce dangerous gases when mixed with incompatible materials.
Store away from heat (including sunlight), avoid shock and friction.
Potassium in Water
Examples: vinyl chloride, ethylene oxide, picric acid, etc.
vinyl chloride, ethylene oxide, picric acid

15. Controlled Products
Compressed Gas: Oxygen, Acetylene for welding activities
Propane for BBQ
Flammable and Combustible: Gasoline, ethanol
Oxidizing: Chromates, Nitrates, Permanganates

16. Not Controlled Products
Radioactive
Materials
Explosives
Consumer Products
Wood or Wood Products
Food & food additives
Cosmetics
Hazardous Waste
Drugs & diagnostic chemicals
Pesticides
Tobacco

17. Consumer Product Precautions
All students who come into contact with hazardous consumer products need to:
Recognize consumer product symbols
Read and understand consumer product labels
Properly use, handle, store and dispose the products

18. Hazardous Household Product Symbols