Saskatchewan Health Authority OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 1988 Self Learning Package What is WHMIS? The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System is Canada s comprehensive way of providing information on the safe use, storage and handling of hazardous materials used in the workplace. That information comes in the form of hazard identification and classification through product labels, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and worker education programs. What is the purpose of WHMIS training? The goal of this learning package is to give workers the knowledge and information that will protect their health and safety every day at work. All Canadian jurisdictions require that employers develop, implement, and maintain a worker education program that will enable workers to work safely with hazardous chemicals. When you complete this package, you should know how to use product labels and data sheets, how products may affect your health or safety, and what the necessary safety and emergency response procedures are in your work area. The three parts of WHMIS that Workers need to know: 1. Warning labels on the containers of hazardous materials that provide basic information and warnings to employers and workers about the materials. WHMIS labels contain the relevant hazard classes and symbols associated with the product in the container, as well as general precautions to be taken. 2. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) that provide more detailed and specific information and safe handling instructions regarding each hazardous material. 3. Worker training in WHMIS to ensure that all workers who use, handle, store or work near hazardous materials fully understand the specific content and significance of WHMIS labels and MSDS. What is meant by controlled product? Controlled products are what we call products, materials and substances that are regulated by WHMIS legislation. All controlled products fall into one or more of six WHMIS classes that consider the product s health, fire and reactivity hazards.
The six classifications of controlled products (Note: Class D has 3 divisions) are: Class A Compressed Gas Explosion danger gas or liquid under pressure. Class B Flammable & Combustible Materials Will burn. May burn at relatively low temperatures. May burst into flames spontaneously. May cause a fire when exposed to heat, sparks or friction. Class C Oxidizing Material Fire or explosion risk in presence of flammable material. May react violently or cause an explosion when in contact with combustibles (e.g. fuels). May burn skin and eyes on contact. Class D Poisonous & Infectious Material Division 1: Materials causing immediate and serious toxic effects Potential to be a fatal poison. May cause permanent damage if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin. Division 2: Materials causing other toxic effects May cause fatal or permanent damage over time. May produce allergy. May cause cancer, birth defects or sterility. Division 3: Biohazardous infectious materials May cause serious illness or death. Class E Corrosive material Causes severe eye and skin irritation on contact. Causes severe tissue damage with prolonged contact. May be harmful if inhaled. Class F Dangerously reactive material Unstable. May react with water to release a toxic or flammable gas. May explode as a result of shock, friction or temperature increase.
When will my WHMIS training be useful? WHMIS is about enabling workers to work safely with hazardous chemicals to prevent incidents or respond effectively to them when they do occur. In the event of a chemical incident, you will have the confidence of knowing more about how to prevent an injury or exposure. You will know where to find and how to use Personal Protective Equipment, to protect yourself from an injury or exposure. How hazardous materials enter the body: Inhalation This is the most common route of entry, since all six physical states of hazardous materials dusts, fumes, smoke, mists, vapours and gases can be inhaled into the respiratory system. The materials may damage the respiratory system itself or they may pass through the lungs into the bloodstream. Absorption The skin protects the internal organs of the body from the outside environment, but it has a large surface area that can come into contact with hazardous materials. Some chemicals can penetrate the skin, enter the bloodstream and reach other parts of the body. Mineral spirits and other solvents can also be absorbed through the skin. A hazardous material may be absorbed and move on to another part of the body, or it may cause damage at the point of entry the skin. Skin diseases such as dermatitis account for 50 to 75% of all compensation claims for occupational diseases. Ingestion The purpose of the digestive system is to ingest, digest and absorb food. Hazardous materials may reach the stomach when food or drink is consumed in a dusty work area, when workers fail to wash their hands before eating or smoking, or when food is left unwrapped in a dusty place. Once swallowed, the hazardous materials enter the digestive tract, from where they may enter the bloodstream and move on to the liver and kidneys. These organs try to remove the poisons from the body, but they don t always succeed. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Personal protective equipment is usually the least expensive hazard control. PPE can be ineffective if it isn t tested, fitted and maintained. In fact, PPE can sometimes endanger the worker who is wearing it by providing the illusion of protection from hazardous materials instead of actual protection. Generally there is no single type of glove or clothing that protects against every hazardous substance in the workplace. Items of PPE must be chosen for the specific hazard involved in the work. The Regulations for Industrial Establishments require that workers receive training on the use and care of all personal protective equipment.
Personal Hygiene Proper personal hygiene is another hazard control at the worker. Workers should wash their hands and face frequently and ensure that food isn t left exposed to hazardous materials. Workers must be restricted from eating or smoking in work areas where controlled products are kept or used. WHMIS Label WHMIS labels act as a warning to alert workers to the hazards involved in using any hazardous material. The supplier label has the distinctive slashed border, product identification, applicable hazard symbols, risk phrases, precautionary measures, first aid measures, reference to the MSDS and supplier information. The Workplace label would be used if a product arrives without a label or is decanted from its original container. Workplace labels may vary in appearance, but all must contain information on product identification, safe handling information and the availability of an MSDS.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) have similar formats but content may vary. The MSDS will provide information about correct handling and hazards regarding a specific product. These sheets must be supplied for all WHMIS controlled products. MSDS includes information in these nine common sections: 1. Product Information: a) Product name given by the manufacturer used on the label b) Product use c) Supplier name, address and emergency phone number 2. Hazardous Ingredients: d) List chemical information regarding the ingredients found in a product, percentages and types. 3. Physical Data: This area states the chemical and physical properties of the product. It informs the user how the product will react under certain conditions. 4. Fire and Explosion Data: This area describes the temperature and conditions that can cause the chemical to react. Fire fighting methods are in this area. This area provides: Upper and lower explosion limits Flashpoints What temperature they might auto-ignite Are they sensitive to impact or static discharge What products will be given off while they burn. 5. Reactivity Data: Material stability is covered in this area. Light, heat, shock, moisture, etc., anything that may compromise the integrity of the product is outlined in this area. What the product can combine with to cause a reaction. This indicates what products should be stored separately. This area is extremely important when you are storing chemicals in the same location. 6. Toxicological Properties or Health Hazard Data: This area describes the harmful effects of health that may occur with exposure to the product. It indicates: How this product can enter or harm the body o Inhalation breathed in o Ingestion swallowed o Skin absorption enters through the skin itself, through mucous membranes in the nose or eyes o Skin and eye damage such as burns o Injection from needle pokes Symptoms o Chronic (long-term symptoms which can develop from single or multiple exposures). A chronic effect might be something like cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. o Acute (immediate, short term) that may occur. An acute effect might be headache or even death caused by exposure to carbon monoxide. 7. Preventative Measure: This area provides you with all the information you need to safely handle the product. Eye, skin, clothing, footwear, respirator, all the personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements are found here.
8. First Aid Measures: If the preceding information on the MSDS is followed, an employee should never be put at risk from product use. However, if we are negligent in following the precautions, we put not only ourselves, but our co-workers, at risk. 9. Preparation of MSDS: This area just informs you who made up the MSDS sheet, and when it was made. It will also give you a company contact number should you require more information. The MSDS describes the hazards of the materials used in the workplace. They are developed for each product by the supplier or manufacturer, and must be updated regularly. Employers must ensure that MSDSs are available to workers at all times. A sample MSDS is on the following pages:
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