WHMISPeter Koczanski, Marko Roslycky, Riley

Barrett and Caelan Stephanson

• WHMIS - Workplace Hazardous

Materials Information System

• Hazard Communication System

• Developed by Canadian Federal,

Provincial and Territorial

Governments

What is WHMIS?

• Prevention

• Reduce Injury and Illness

Goal of WHMIS

• Education

• Labelling

• MSDS

Three Key Components

• Meets any criteria for inclusion in

WHMIS Hazard Classes

• No comprehensive list - just Hazard

Criteria

Controlled Products

• A: Compressed Gases

• B: Flammables and Combustibles

• C: Oxidizing Materials

• D: Poisonous and Infectious

Materials

• E: Corrosive Materials

• F: Dangerously Reactive Materials

Six Classes

Risks/Dangers

• Physical Hazard

• Explosive Hazard

• Content Hazard

CLASS A

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/whmis/assets/image/WHMIS2.JPG

• Toxic Gases (Carbon Monoxide,

Hydrogen Cyanide and Phosgene)

• Corrosive Gases (Ammonia, chlorine

and Sulfur Dioxide)

• Flammable Gases (acetylene and

ethylene)

Examples of CLASS A

• Secure Cylinder

• Avoid Heat and Ignition Sources

• Transport and Handle Carefully

• Store in a cool ventilated area

Safety Precautions

Dangers/Risks

• Fire Hazard

• Can spontaneously

ignite

• Potentially poisonous

CLASS B

http://www2.worksafebc.com/i/whmis/Symbols&Labels/SymbolB_sm.gif

• Gas: Hydrogen, Methane

• Liquid: Ether, Ethanol

• C. Liquid: Kerosene

• Solid: Magnesium

• Aerosol: Aerosol Containers

• R. Flammable Materials: Sodium

Examples of CLASS B

• Avoid contact with flames or ignition

sources

• Avoid heat

• Store with cap tightened (vapours

more flammable than liquid)

• Avoid Inhalation and skin contact

Safety Precautions

Dangers/Risks

• Fire and explosion

hazard

• Corrosive and

Poisonous

CLASS C

http://www.thecompliancecenter.com/store/media/catalog/product/cache/8/image/325x/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/l/b/lb484_hi_2.gif

• Nitrates/ Nitrites

• Chlorates / Chlorites

• Peroxides

• Dichromates

• Permanganates

• Persulfates

Examples of CLASS C

• Protective Clothing - Avoid personal

contact

• Store away from heat and

flammable materials

• Non-corroding Containers

Safety Precautions

• Acute

• Chronic

• Biohazard

CLASS D

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/whmis/assets/image/WHMIS1.JPG

Risks

• Lethal at low Dose

• Toxic

Acute

• Examples:

• Halogens

• Cyanides

• Heavy

Metals

Dangers

• Systemic

Damage

• Illness or Death

• Cancer

• Birth Defects

Chronic

• Examples:

• Mercury, Lead

• Formaldehyde

• Ethidium

Bromide

Risks

• Systemic Damage

• Cancer

• Disease of

Infection

Biohazard

• Examples:

• Human Blood

• Animal Blood

• Tissue Cultures

Risks and Dangers:

• Will burn human tissue

• Corrode materials

• Environmentally

Damaging

CLASS E

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/whmis/pub_40_20_20_10.asp

Examples

• Most Oxidizing Materials

• Strong Acids and Bases

• Hydrogen Fluoride,

Hydrogen Chloride,

Chlorine, Bromine, Sulfur

Dioxide

Examples of CLASS E and Safety

• Safety

• Do not bring near

Human Tissue

• Keep away from

Metals

• Do not allow fumes

to escape

Risks:

• Violent Reaction

• Poisonous Vapors

CLASS F

http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/whmis/pub_40_20_20_10.asp

• Pitric ACid

• Ether

• Perchloric Acid

• Alkali Cyanides

Examples of CLASS F

• Avoid Use if possible

• Keep away from potential reactions

• Do not mix with other chemicals

Safety Precautions

• Consumer Restricted Products

• Explosives

• Cosmetics, Drugs and Food

• Pest Control Products

• Radioactive Materials

• Wood and products made of Wood

• Tobacco

• Hazardous Wastes

Hazardous Materials Not Covered by WHMIS

• Education

• Labelling

• MSDS

Three Key Components

• All products in a Workplace that fall

under WHMIS must have a label

• Two main types

• Supplier and Workplace

Labels

• Product Identifier• Supplier Identifier• Hazard Symbol(s)• Risks• Precautionary Measures• First Aid Measures• Reference to MSDS

Supplier Label

http://www.qshi.ca/_images/courseImages/Modules/supplier_label.jpg

Reasons for a Workplace Label

• Decanted or transferred

• Original Label Lost

• Products produced and used at Workplace

Workplace Label

• Education

• Labels

• MSDS

Three Key Elements

• Information about controlled product

• Must be provided by supplier

• Illegal to use product without MSDS

• No more than 3 years old

MSDS

Example of MSDS

http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/docs/support/scisafe/msds3.gif

Components• Chemical Product and Company Information• Composition and Information on Ingredients• Hazards Information• First Aid Measures• Fire and Explosion Data• Accidental Release Measures• Handling and Storage• Exposure Controls• Physical and Chemical Properties• Stability and Reactivity Data• Toxicological Information• Ecological Information• Disposal Considerations• Transport Information• Other Regulatory Information• Other Information

MSDS

• Small Spill• Dilute with water (if necessary sodium carbonate

solution)-mop up-place in appropriate waste disposal

• Large Spill• Absorb with non combustible material-dike if

needed (to prevent entry into sewer/water systems)-Keep Vapours at bay-Call for Help/Assistance

EXTRA-HOW TO CLEAN UP A SPILL EG. Hydrochloric Acid

"Material Safety Data Sheets."Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 9 Jan. 2006. Web. 21 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/legisl/msdss.html>.

"Labelling."Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 25 July 2001. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/legisl/msds_lab.html>.

"WHMIS."Health Canada. Government of Canada, 18 Jan. 2008. Web. 20 Sept. 2012. <http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/occup-travail/whmis-simdut/work-travail-eng.php>.

“Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.” Health Canada. Government of Canada, 10 June 2010. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/occup-travail/whmis-simdut/index-eng.php>.

"Introduction to WHMIS." Work Safe BC. Workers’ Compensation Board of BC, 2012. Web. 25 Sept. 2012. <http://www2.worksafebc.com/topics/whmis/Introduction.asp>.

Bibliography

The End/Questions