Title of this presentation

							WHMIS

Presented by
Name
Title
Date
WHMIS
WorkSafeNB

 W           Workplace
  H          Hazardous
  M          Materials
  I          Information
  S
             System
        Presentation Objectives

At the end of this workshop participants will:
1. Understand the 3 basic elements of the
    WHMIS system
2. Recognize the 8 hazard symbols
    representing the 6 hazard classes
3. Be familiar with the 9 sections of the MSDS
4. Discuss employer and employee
    responsibility
5. Know how to work with controlled products
    in a safe environment
        Course Outline

 Introduction
 The WHMIS System
    Labels
    Material Safety Data Sheets
    Worker Education
 WHMIS Legislation
 Summary
       Introduction to WHMIS

WHMIS is Canada-wide legislation, dealing
with controlled products in the workplace.
A controlled product is „any product,
material or substance included in any one
of the classes listed in the Hazardous
Products Act (HPA).‟
        Hazardous Classes Under HPA


Class A: Compressed Gas
Class B: Flammable and Combustible Material
Class C: Oxidizing Material
Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Material
Class E: Corrosive Material
Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material
       WHMIS is Designed to
       Solve the Problem of:

 Unlabelled materials in the workplace

Inadequate or contradictory information
being given to employers/workers regarding
identification, hazardous properties and
precautions to be taken with hazardous
materials used in the workplace
       Three Components of WHMIS

1. Labels on hazardous materials or their
   containers
2. MSDS or material safety data sheets
   which are technical bulletins providing
   more detailed information than the label
3. Worker education, providing instruction
   on hazards and safe work procedures
        Supplier Defined


"supplier"
"supplier" means a person who is a
  manufacturer, processor or packager of a
  controlled product or a person who, in the
  course of business, imports or sells
  controlled products;
       Hazardous Products Act (HPA)
           Flow of Information

Producer                          JHSC
                                  input
            Supplier
             label

Supplier                                     Informed
                       Employer   Worker      worker
                                  Training
             MSDS


Importer
     Labels


Two Types:

1. Supplier labels (developed and
   provided by the supplier)

2. Workplace labels (developed and used
   in the workplace)
       Supplier Label:
       Design and Application

 Content layout: not legislated
 Border: specific
 Colour: not legislated
 Legibility: distinct; good contrast
 Durability: able to withstand normal use
 Application: imprinted; stenciled; attached
 Language: English and French
    Supplier Label: Required Statements

1. Product Identifier
2. Hazard Symbols
3. Risk Phrases
4. Precautions
5. First Aid
6. Supplier Information
7. Reference to MSDS
Supplier Label
In the Workplace, What is the
“Key” to Everyday WHMIS?




     HAZARD SYMBOLS!
What Does This Symbol Mean?
      What Do We Know?


         Compressed Gas
            (Class A):
 Poses an explosion danger because the
gas is under pressure
 Container may explode if heated in a fire,
or dropped
   Examples

    Compressed Gas
       (Class A):


Examples: oxygen and acetylene in
cylinders for welding; propane
Compressed Gas Accident
What Does This Symbol Mean?
      What Do We Know?

    Combustible and Flammable Material
       (Class B):
 Will burn and is therefore a potential fire
hazard
 May burn at relatively low temperatures;
flammable materials catch fire at lower
temperatures than combustible materials
 May burst into flame spontaneously in air, or
release a flammable gas on contact with water
 May cause a fire when exposed to heat,
sparks, or flames, or as a result of friction
       Examples

      Combustible and Flammable Material
         (Class B):
Flammable:
Examples: butane, propane, hydrogen gas,
acetone, gasoline, isopropyl alcohol,
magnesium alloys

Combustible:
Examples: kerosene, mineral spirits,
varnish
Flammable Gas Accident
What Does This Symbol Mean?
       What Do We Know?

       Oxidizing Material
            (Class C):
 Poses a fire and/or explosion risk in the
presence of flammable or combustible
material
 May react violently when it comes into
contact with combustible materials such as
fuels or wood
 May burn skin and eyes upon contact
     Examples


     Oxidizing Material
          (Class C):

Examples: perchloric acid, hydrogen
peroxide, nitric acid, compressed oxygen,
ozone
Oxidizing Accident
What Does This Symbol Mean?
        What Do We Know?

       Poisonous and Infectious Material
           (Class D, Division 1):
 Is a potentially fatal poisonous substance
 May be fatal or cause permanent damage if
it is inhaled or swallowed or if it enters the
body through skin contact
 May burn eyes or skin upon contact
      Examples

     Poisonous and Infectious Material
         (Class D, Division 1):

Examples: sodium cyanide, hydrogen
sulphide, carbon monoxide, sulphuric acid,
toluene
What Does This Symbol Mean?
        What Do We Know?

       Poisonous and Infectious Material: Other
       Toxic Effects (Class D, Division 2):
 Not immediately dangerous to health
 May cause death or permanent damage as a
result of repeated exposure over time
 May be a sensitizer, which produces an
allergy
 May cause cancer, birth defects, or sterility
       Examples

     Poisonous and Infectious Material: Other
     Toxic Effects (Class D, Division 2):

Examples: asbestos, lead, cadmium, benzene,
mercury
What Does This Symbol Mean?
     What Do We Know?

    Poisonous and Infectious Material:
    Biohazardous, infectious material
        (Class D, Division 3):

 May cause a serious disease resulting in
illness (AIDS, Hepatitis) or death
 Can also include tetanus protection
     Examples

    Poisonous and Infectious Material:
    Biohazardous, infectious material
        (Class D, Division 3):


Examples: salmonella bacteria, hepatitis B
virus, HIV-AIDS, parasites, blood and urine
What Does This Symbol Mean?
      What do We Know?

     Corrosive Material
         (Class E):
 Causes severe eye and skin irritation
upon contact
 Causes severe tissue damage with
prolonged contact
 Often produces vapor or fumes that
may be harmful if inhaled
       Examples


      Corrosive Material
          (Class E):
Examples: sodium hydroxide (caustic
soda), hydrochloric acid, nitric acid,
sulphuric acid
What Does This Symbol Mean?
       What Do We Know?

      Dangerously Reactive Material
          (Class F):
 Is very unstable
 May react with water to release a toxic or
flammable gas
 May explode as a result of shock, friction or
an increase in temperature
 May explode if heated when in a closed
container
 Undergoes vigorous polymerization
        Examples


        Dangerously Reactive Material
            (Class F):

Examples: vinyl chloride, picric acid, some
cyanides
Dangerously Reactive Accidents
          Workplace Labels

        Methanol          Product Identifier
•   Avoid inhaling
    vapors, handle        Information on
    with care             safe handling of
•   Flammable             the product
•   Avoid eye and skin
    contact
                          Reference to
•   See MSDS for          MSDS
    more information
       Workplace Labels

 Must be displayed to give clear warning
to employees
 May be a label, tag, sign or other
 Is not required to be bilingual; can be in
the language of the workplace
     Material Safety Data Sheets

The MSDS is:

  - A technical information reference for
     worker education and control
     measures
  - A document which can be distributed
      Material Safety Data Sheets

The MSDS is NOT:

  - All the information needed for the safe
     use of a product in every possible
     situation
  - A document only to be read and filed
MSDS Required Criteria

 1. Product Identifier
 2. Ingredients
 3. Physical Data
 4. Fire and Explosion Hazards
 5. Reactivity Data
 6. Toxicological Properties
 7. Preventive Measures
 8. First Aid Measures
 9. Preparation Information
       Section 1: Product Identification
       and Use

 The intent of this section is for product
identification, supplier identification, and a
description of the product use
 It is of particular use in organizing data
sheets for quick retrieval
 It includes the emergency telephone
number
         Section 2: Hazardous Ingredients

 This section provides information on the
identity, concentration, and estimators of acute
toxicity for the ingredients of a controlled
product
 Copyright law permits limiting information in
this section however, disclosure is mandatory if a
worker is exposed to the product
 Useful information for emergency health care
providers
   Lethal Dose and Lethal Concentration


* The lower the lethal dose and lethal
 concentration numbers, the more
dangerous the material is to human
               beings.
        Section 3: Physical Data


 This section provides a physical
description of the product
 It describes its response to changes in the
physical environment, and has specific
applications for ventilation system design
and emergency procedures
        Section 4: Fire or Explosion Hazard

 The intent of Section 4 is to provide
information to assist with fire and explosion
prevention, as well as emergency procedures.
 This section is particularly important with
flammables, solvents, organic peroxides,
explosives, metal dusts and other unstable
substances. If the product is not flammable or
explosive, information in this section must
reflect that fact.
      Section 5: Reactivity Data

 Information on the stability of the product
and its likelihood of dangerous reaction with
other chemicals
 Implications for handling procedures and
storage arrangements
 May be useful along with Section 4 data
for the prevention and control of fires or
explosions
        Section 6: Toxicological Properties

 This section provides information on how
a material is likely to enter the body and what
short and long-term effects it is likely to have
 Includes signs and symptoms of exposure
and pre-existing medical conditions which
may be aggravated
 Information in this section is an important
determinant of preventive and first aid
measures and emergency care
        Section 7: Preventive Measures

 Provides clear direction for transportation,
storage, use and disposal of the product, as
well as emergency procedures related to
accidental release
 Information must be as specific as
possible. Employers may need to adapt
information from data sheets to the specific
hazard circumstances of each workplace
       Section 8: First Aid Measures

 Information necessary for the safe evacuation
and immediate treatment of a person
experiencing acute effects of overexposure
 Meant for use by workers on site; including
first aid personnel
 Usually expands on the first aid instructions
described on the supplier label
       Section 9: Preparation Information


 Name and telephone number of those
responsible for preparation of MSDS
 Date of preparation
 WHMIS legislation requires that MSDS be
kept current; no older than 3 years
       General Approach to MSDS

 Identify the chemical and the emergency
telephone number
 Know the hazards/precautions
 Understand safe handling and storage
procedures
 Emergency procedures (in case of an
emergency bring the MSDS with you to the
hospital)
 Identify the preparation date
WHMIS Legislation


    NEW BRUNSWICK
   REGULATION 88-221
        under the
 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
    AND SAFETY ACT
      Worker Training and Education

 6(3) An employer shall ensure, so far as
     is reasonably practicable, that the
  program of employee instruction and
    training required by subsection (1)
   results in an employee being able to
    apply the information as needed to
protect the employee‟s health and safety.
       Worker Training and Education

Anyone working with or nearby controlled
products must be trained in hazard
information and procedures regarding:
      1.   Safe use
      2.   Storage
      3.   Handling
      4.   Disposal
      5.   Emergency procedures
       Worker Training and Education

Includes information found on labels
(supplier and workplace), MSDS and any
information of which the employer is aware
*The training should be:
    Relevant to the workplace
    Performance oriented
    Developed in consultation with the JHSC
    Reviewed at least annually
    Modified as conditions change
         Exceptions to the rule…

 Eight classifications exempt from WHMIS
 labeling and MSDS requirements. Some
 categories are regulated for worker education,
 some are not.
1. Explosives              5. Consumer products
2. Cosmetics, drugs,food   6. Wood products
3. Pesticides              7. Tobacco products
4. Radioactive materials   8. Manufactured articles
WHMIS Responsibilities


  Suppliers, employers and
employees each have a role to
 play in making WHMIS work!
        Supplier Responsibilities


Supplier responsibilities are found under the
Hazardous Products Act (Federal Bill C-07)

Suppliers Must:
I. Label controlled products intended for
workplace use
II. Supply MSDS with each controlled product
        Employer Responsibilities

The employer’s WHMIS responsibilities are
outlined in Provincial Regulation 88-221:
 To obtain MSDS from supplier
 Ensure appropriate labeling (supplier and
workplace)
 Provide adequate instruction and training to
employees
 Sort and file the MSDS in a clearly indicated
and easily accessible area
       Employee Responsibilities

WHMIS legislation does not place any direct
responsibility on the workers, however under
Section 12 of the OH&S Act, employees must:
 Comply with the Act
 Conduct themselves to ensure their health
and safety
 Report hazards
 Wear/use protective equipment
 Consult/cooperate with the JHSC
        Where Do I Go From Here?

Step 1:
Assign responsibility
Inventory and list supplier and workplace labels
Step 2:
Get current MSDS
Determine storage, handling, training, first aid
and disposal
Step 3:
Train employees
Implement control measures and MSDS binders
       Summary

                       1. Labels
WHMIS has „three
                       2. MSDS
components’:           3. Worker Education

                       Compressed Gas
WHMIS is a „hazard     Flammable
class’ driven system   Oxidizers
                       Poisons
                       Corrosives
                       Reactive
        Summary


Employers must train         Labels
their workers to use the     MSDS
information provided by


Training should
                       Yearly, or as
be reviewed
                       conditions change
and/or updated
    WHMIS



    Thank You for Your Attention!


Good Luck with your WHMIS program!