WHMIS
W
H
M
I
S
Established October 31, 1988
2003
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).’
2003
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
2003
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
2003
HPA Does Not include:
• explosives as defined by the Explosives Act;
• cosmetics, devices, drugs, or food as defined by the Food and Drugs
Act;
• control products as defined by the Pest Control Products Act;
• nuclear substances as defined by the Nuclear Safety and Control Act;
• hazardous waste;
• products, materials, or substances as defined in section 2 of the
Canada Consumer Product Safety Act;
• wood or products made of wood;
• tobacco or tobacco products as defined in section 2 of the Tobacco
Act;
• manufactured articles. 2003
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
2003
What Do We Know?
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Compressed Gas
(Class A):
Poses an explosion danger because the
gas is under pressure
Container may explode if heated in a fire,
or dropped
2003
What Do We Know?
2 of 2
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 result2003of friction
What Do We Know?
2 of 2
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
2003
What Do We Know?
2 of 2
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
2003
What Do We Know?
2 of 2
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
2003
What Do We Know?
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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
2003
What do We Know?
2 of 2
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
2003
What Do We Know?
2 of 2
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
2003
Material Safety Data Sheets
2 of 3
The MSDS is NOT:
1. All the information needed for the safe
use of a product in every possible
situation
2. A document only to be read and filed
2003
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
2003
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Worker Education
1 of 2
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
2003
Summary
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1. Labels
2. MSDS
3. Worker Education
WHMIS has three
components:
WHMIS is a hazard
class driven system
2003
Compressed Gas
Flammable
Oxidizers
Poisons
Corrosives
Reactive