WHMIS

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WHMIS
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
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Right to Know

• Workers have access to information through their
  employer.

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Purpose of WHMIS

• Provides Information on Hazardous Materials used
  in Workplace
• Facilitates the Process of Hazard Identification
• Ensures Consistency of Information in all
  Canadian Workplaces

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Legislation

• Federal
• Bill C-70
• Part of the Canada Labour Coded
• Provincial
• Bill 79
• Ontario Reg. 644/88
• Occupational Health Safety Act
• Policed by Ministry of Labour

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Exemptions From WHMIS

• Explosives
• Drugs
• Pesticides
• Radioactive Materials
• Hazardous Wastes
• Products being transported T.D.G. Act
• Consumer Products/Tobacco/Manufactured Articles

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Three Components of WHMIS

• Labels
• Supplier Label
• Workplace Label
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Worker Education

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Duties of the Supplier

• Classify Product
• Apply Supplier Label
• Provide Material Safety Data Sheet
• Update MSDSs at least every 3 years

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Duties of the Employer

• Conduct Workplace Inventory
• Ensure Proper Labeling is Used
• Label Piping Systems/Vessels/Reactors
• Maintain and Make Available MSDSs
• Train Workers

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Duties of a Worker

• Report missing or damaged labels or MSDSs
• Participate in Training
• Apply Knowledge and Training

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WHMIS Hazard Classifications
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Class A

• Compressed Gas
• Any Hazardous Material that is contained under
  pressure including compressed gas, dissolved gas,
  or liquefied gas

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Compressed Gas Cylinders

• store and transport with safety cap
• comply with storage restrictions
• DO NOT store fuel gas with oxygen
• secure in an upright position
• use in a well ventilated area

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Class B

• Flammable and Combustible Material
• Flammable Gases
• Flammable and Combustible Liquids
• Flammable Solids
• Flammable Aerosols
• Reactive Flammable Material
• Methanol, Toluene, Butane, Acetone

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Flammable Materials

• Store liquids in Flammable Storage Cabinet
• Explosion-proof fixtures required
• NEVER store with oxidizers
• Keep away from heat, ignition sources, and direct
  sunlight
• Use static lines when transferring

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Class C

• Oxidizing Material
• Any Hazardous Material which causes or
  contributes to the combustion of another material
  by giving oxygen or some other oxidizing
  substance, whether or not it is combustible.
• Organic Peroxides
• Chlorates, Nitric Acid, Peroxides, Permanganates,
  Perchlorates, Nitrites, Nitrates

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Oxidizers

• Easily oxidize metal powders, organic materials
• Segregate from other materials, such as organic
  solvents
• PPE and/or explosion barriers may be required

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Class D1

• Poisonous Infectious Materials
• Material causing immediate and serious toxic
  effects
• Materials which are potentially fatal or may
  cause permanent damage if inhaled, swallowed, or
  absorbed through the skin, or may burn the skin
  or eyes upon contact

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Class D2

• Poisonous Infectious Materials
• Material causing other chronic or long term
  effects
• Material which may
• cause death or permanent damage as a result of
  repeated exposure over an extended period of
  time
• may be an irritant to the skin, eyes, or
  respiratory system
• may cause cancer, birth defects, or sterility.

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Class D3

• Poisonous Infectious Materials
• Biohazardous and Infectious Materials
• Materials which may cause disease in humans and
  animals, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi
  may also include cultures and diagnostic
  specimens such as blood, urine, and body tissue.

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Class E

• Corrosive Material
• Material which may corrode aluminum and steel or
  human flesh
• Material which are anhydrous corrosive gases

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Inorganic Acids

• Sulfuric Acid, Nitric Acid, Perchloric Acid,
  Hydrochloric Acid
• Segregate from bases and organic compounds
• Store in a ventilated acid cabinet
• Know the location of eye washes and safety
  showers
• Store on lower shelves

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Bases

• Sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide
• Segregate from acids and organic compounds
• Store in a ventilated cabinet
• Know the location of eye washes and safety
  showers
• Store on lower shelves

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Class F

• Dangerously Reactive Material
• Materials which undergo vigorous polymerization,
  decomposition, or condensation
• Materials which become self-reactive under
  conditions of shock, or increased temperature or
  pressure
• Materials which react vigorously with water to
  produce a very toxic gas

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WHMIS Labels
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Supplier Label

• Product Identifier
• Hazard Symbols
• Border
• Bilingual
• Risk Phrases and Precautions
• First Aid
• Safe Handling Precautions
• Reference to MSDS
• Supplier Information

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Workplace Label

• Product Identifier
• Safe Handling Precautions
• Reference to MSDS

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Workplace Label Uses

• Transfer of material from a Supplier Labelled
  container to another container
• Replacement of a damaged Supplier Label

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MSDS Contents

• Hazardous Ingredients
• Preparation Information
• Fire Explosion Hazard
• Toxicological Properties
• First Aid Measures

• Product Information
• Physical Data
• Reactivity Data
• Preventative Measures