WHMIS FOR DUMMIES

David DaiAshley DanielsonWill Levy Julia LuchtHector Wong

What is WHMIS?

• The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System • A 3 part system which gives canadian workers the right to know the

health and safety hazards of the materials they work with.

• A standard used across Canada to promote safe lab and chemical handling practices.

• Developed by Canadian governmental bodieso came into effect on October 31, 1988

Importance of WHMIS to a Worker and a Student

1) Knowledge in WHMIS is crucial in multiple job settings:

• Scientists

• Factory Workers: Cleaners/Janitors

• Retail/Food industry

• Mechanics

• Office Workers

Importance of WHMIS to a Worker and a Student2) Educates students on the importance of lab safety and opens many opportunity

3) Provides steps and procedures to follow in case of emergency

4) Gives workers the right to be aware of the potentially hazardous chemicals they are associating with

5) Creates a safe workplace

Hazardous Products Act

• Federal legislation that works alongside the principles of WHMIS to enforce safety in the workplace

• Outlines which materials are regulated by WHMIS

• Without the HPA, WHMIS could not function

Controlled Products

• Controlled products are materials or substances labeled as potentially harmful by the HPA and regulated by WHMIS

• All controlled products fall under 1 or many of 6 WHMIS classifications, which are recognized by their cautionary symbols.

The Classifications of WHMIS

• There are 6 categories classified under WHMIS which are ordered in letters ranging from class A-F.

• All controlled products fall under one of these classes

• cautionary symbols are used to represent each classification and their divisions.

Class A- Compressed Gas

Controlled products are classified under this class if:1. It is a material that is normally a gas2. The material is under pressure or is being chilled3. The gas is usually contained in a cylinder

Products under this class are dangerous since:4. They are under high pressure and can "rocket" or "torpedo" if the container

holding the gas is ruptured5. If heated, it can explode6. Since the gas is often chilled, a leaking container can result in instant or

severe frostbite

Common examples of Products under this Class include:7. Phosgene (Toxic)8. Propane (Flammable)9. Sulfur Dioxide (Corrosive)

Safety Precautions

• Secure in a contained Cylinder

• Avoid Heat and Ignition Sources

• Transport and Handle Carefully

• Store in a cool ventilated area

Class B- Flammable and Combustible Material

Controlled products are classified under this class if:1. They burn or catch fire at normal temperature2. React with air or water to make flammable gas3. They may be a gas, liquid or solid

Controlled products in this class are dangerous since:4. They catch fire easily 5. They can explode

Common examples of this class include:6. Propane7. Acetone8. Butane

Safety Precautions

• Handle far away from flames or ignition sources

• Store with cap tightened since the discharged fumes

are more flammable than liquid

• Avoid Inhalation and skin contact

Class C- Oxidizing Materials

Controlled products are classified under this category if:1. They do not usually burn themselves, but cause other materials to combust

by providing oxygen2. These materials increase the risk of fire if they come in contact with

flammable or combustible materials.

Controlled products in this class are dangerous since:3. Intensify flames and explosions4. Support a fire even if there is no air5. Cause spontaneous combustions even without an ignition source

Common Examples of this class include:6. Nitric acid7. Ozone8. Persulfates

Safety Precautions

• Wear protective clothing

• Avoid personal contact

• Store away from heat and flammable materials

• Contain in durable containers

Class D- Poisonous and Infectious Materials

• The fourth class a controlled product can fall under are poisonous and infectious materials

• Controlled products under Class D cause lethal and immediate harm to your body.

• The harmful effects these materials cause are subdivided into 3 divisions

Division 1 Division 2 Division 3

Division 1- Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects

Controlled products are classified under this division if:1. They are poisonous2. Immediately dangerous to life and health

Control products in this division are dangerous since:3. They cause immediate harm to the body4. Cause serious health issues such as; burns, loss of consciousness, coma

or death5. Exposure to these products can cause permanent or long term health

problems

Common examples of this division include:6. Carbon monoxide7. Sodium cyanide8. Halogens

Division 2- Materials Causing Other Toxic EffectsControlled products are classified under this division if:1. They are poisonous as well2. Their effects are only temporary

Controlled products in this division are dangerous since:3. Though slower and not as immediate than division 1, Division 2 products

are equally as harmful

a. Can cause cancer

b. allergies or irritation

c. reproductive problems

d. Inflict harm to both a pregnant woman and their baby

e. changes to your genes

Common examples of this division include:4. Mercury5. Lead6. Acetone

Division 3- Biohazardous infectious Materials

Controlled products are classified under this division if:1. The materials are organisms such viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites2. Cause infectious and contagious disease in both human and animals

Controlled products in this division are dangerous since:3. The products of this division infect the human body4. Can give serious disease which result in death5. If not handled properly, could cause an outbreak in disease.6. Affect the internals of our bodies7. Cause mutations

Common examples of this division include:8. HIV/AIDS9. Super virus10.Salmonella11. Hepatitis B

Safety Precautions

• Avoid any physical contact or inhalation

• Handle in proper equipment, such as WHMIS regulated lab coats or overcoats and fume blocking masks

• Avoid use of these chemicals if possible

• Research extensively before use

• Work away from windows to not spread fumes through breezes

• Handle away from other chemicals.

Class E- Corrosive Material

Controlled products are classified under this class if:1. They are liquids2. Possess a corroding property which can burn through clothes, human

tissue or even metal

Controlled products in this class are dangerous since:3. They seriously burn human tissue if came into contact with4. The effects of corrosive products are painful and permanent5. Can blind an individual if some reaches the eye

Common examples of this class include:6. Sulphuric Acid7. Ammonium Hydroxide8. High Concentrations of Chlorine

Safety Precautions

• Do not bring near Human Tissue

• Keep away from Metals

• Do not allow fumes to escape

Class F- Dangerously Reactive Material

Controlled products are classified under this class if:1. it can react vigorously with water to make a toxic gas2. it will react with itself when it is agitated (bumped, dropped), or if the

temperature or pressure increases3. it can vigorously join to itself (polymerization), break down (decomposition)

or lose extra water such that it is a more dense material (condensation).

Controlled products in this class are dangerous since:4. These materials are extremely unstable5. At constant risk of explosion if not handled carefully and properly

Common examples of this class include:6. Pitric Acid7. Ethylene Oxide8. Ether

Safety Precautions

• Avoid Use if possible

• Keep away from potential reactions

• Do not mix with other chemicals

Acute and Chronic ExposureThere are two types of exposure a worker can encounter when handling

controlled products

Acute Exposure Chronic Exposure

Short term exposure to a product Long term exposure to a product

The effects are immediate and serious and obvious in less than 24 hours

The effects are serious and harmful but only if exposed to for long periods of time

Ex: Cyanide -D1 Products Ex: Mercury -D2 Products

The Key Elements of WHMIS

1.Supplier Label

2.MSDS

3.Education and Training

1) Supplier Label

• Immediately recognizable by its hashed black and white borders

• Detail basic information of a product such as the hazards and how to protect yourself from the hazards

• Hazardous products from a supplier must contain a supplier label

• If there is no supplier label, the product is incomplete and cannot be used

The Criteria of a Standard Supplier Label

A supplier label must include:

• 1) Product Identifier

• 2) Supplier Identifier

• 3) Hazard Symbols

• 4) Risk Phrases

• 5) Precautionary Measures

• 6) First Aid Measures

• 7) MSDS Reference

2) MSDS

• Stands for Material Safety Data Sheet and has 4 main focuses

1. To tell workers vital information on a desired chemical

2. To ensure that people are aware on how to handle harmful chemicals.

3. To provide emergency prevention measures

4. To provide procedures and instruction on emergency handling

• The MSDS is regularly updated to remain current, accurate and no more 3 years old

The Areas Which the MSDS Covers

The MSDS provides information on a product in the following areas:

Chemical Product and Company Identification

Composition, Information on Ingredients

Hazardous Identification

First Aid Measures

Fire Fighting Measures

Accidental Release Measures

Handling and Storage Exposure Controls, Personal Protection

Physical and Chemical Properties

Stability and Reactivity Toxicological information

Ecological Information

Disposal Considerations

Transport Information Regulatory Information Additional Information

3) Education and Training

• Employers must provide instruction to each worker on how to use WHMIS

• Universities and Companies offer online and real life courses

• Courses are subject to revision and check up every 2-3 years

• WHMIS courses vary in terms of information depending on the professiono Ex: an office worker will not receive the same WHMIS training

an industrial worker would.

Review

• Identify the Name/Class/Division (if it is one) of the following symbols

Biohazard

Class D

Division 1

Compressed Gas

Class A

Not a Division

Flammable/Combustible

Class B

Not a Division

ReviewWhat are the 3 Components of WHMIS?

Which Class is Dangerously Reactive?

What are two pieces of information that must be on the Supplier Label?

What are some differences between Acute and Chronic Exposure?

Supplier Label, MSDS, Education and Training

Class F

Product Identifier, Supplier Identifier, Hazard Symbols, Risk Phrases, Precautionary Measures, First Aid Measures, MSDS Reference

Short term exposure vs Long term, Immediate harms vs Later harms

In Conclusion...

• WHMIS is vital to workplace safety and should be taught to all students

• WHMIS has achieved a safer workplace by providing workers with the knowledge and tools to enable them to work safely.

Bibliography"Supplier Label."Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Canadian Centre for Health

and Workplace Safety, 19 Jan. 2006. Web. 1 April. 2013. <http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/legisl/msdss.html>.

"Hazards"Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 12 July 2001. Web. 1 April. 2013. <http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/legisl/msds_lab.html>.

"WHMIS."Health Canada. Government of Canada, 18 Jan. 2008. Web. 1 April. 2013. <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. 1 April. 2013. <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 April. 2013. <http://www2.worksafebc.com/topics/whmis/Introduction.asp>.