WHMIS
Peter Koczanski, Marko Roslycky, Riley Barrett
and Caelan Stephanson
What is WHMIS?
• WHMIS - Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System
• Hazard Communication System
• Developed by Canadian Federal,
Provincial and Territorial Governments
Goal of WHMIS
• Prevention
• Reduce Injury and Illness
Three Key Components
• Education
• Labelling
• MSDS
Controlled Products
• Meets any criteria for inclusion in WHMIS
Hazard Classes
• No comprehensive list - just Hazard
Criteria
Six Classes
• A: Compressed Gases
• B: Flammables and Combustibles
• C: Oxidizing Materials
• D: Poisonous and Infectious Materials
• E: Corrosive Materials
• F: Dangerously Reactive Materials
CLASS A
Risks/Dangers
• Physical Hazard
• Explosive Hazard
• Content Hazard
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/whmis/assets/image/WHMIS2.JPG
Examples of CLASS A
• Toxic Gases (Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen
Cyanide and Phosgene)
• Corrosive Gases (Ammonia, chlorine and
Sulfur Dioxide)
• Flammable Gases (acetylene and
ethylene)
Safety Precautions
• Secure Cylinder
• Avoid Heat and Ignition Sources
• Transport and Handle Carefully
• Store in a cool ventilated area
CLASS B
Dangers/Risks
•
•
•
http://www2.worksafebc.com/i/whmis/Symbols&Labels/SymbolB_sm.gif
Fire Hazard
Can spontaneously ignite
Potentially poisonous
Examples of CLASS B
• Gas: Hydrogen, Methane
• Liquid: Ether, Ethanol
• C. Liquid: Kerosene
• Solid: Magnesium
• Aerosol: Aerosol Containers
• R. Flammable Materials: Sodium
Safety Precautions
• Avoid contact with flames or ignition
sources
• Avoid heat
• Store with cap tightened (vapours more
flammable than liquid)
• Avoid Inhalation and skin contact
CLASS C
Dangers/Risks
•
Fire and explosion
hazard
•
http://www.thecompliancecenter.com/store/media/catalog/product/cache/8/image/3
25x/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/l/b/lb484_hi_2.gif
Corrosive and Poisonous
Examples of CLASS C
• Nitrates/ Nitrites
• Chlorates / Chlorites
• Peroxides
• Dichromates
• Permanganates
• Persulfates
Safety Precautions
• Protective Clothing - Avoid personal
contact
• Store away from heat and flammable
materials
• Non-corroding Containers
CLASS D
•
• Acute
• Chronic
• Biohazard
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/whmis/assets/image/W
HMIS1.JPG
Acute
Examples:
•
•
•
Risks
Halogens
Cyanides
Heavy Metals
• Lethal at low
Dose
• Toxic
Chronic
Examples:
•
•
•
Dangers
Mercury, Lead
Formaldehyde
Ethidium Bromide
• Systemic Damage
• Illness or Death
• Cancer
• Birth Defects
Biohazard
Examples:
•
•
•
Risks
Human Blood
Animal Blood
Tissue Cultures
• Systemic Damage
• Cancer
• Disease of Infection
CLASS E
Risks and Dangers:
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/whmis/pub_40_20_20
_10.asp
• Will burn human tissue
• Corrode materials
• Environmentally Damaging
Examples of CLASS E and Safety
Safety
• Do not bring near
Human Tissue
• Keep away from
Metals
• Do not allow fumes to
escape
Examples
•
•
•
Most Oxidizing Materials
Strong Acids and Bases
Hydrogen Fluoride,
Hydrogen Chloride,
Chlorine, Bromine, Sulfur
Dioxide
CLASS F
Risks:
• Violent Reaction
• Poisonous Vapors
http://www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/whmis/pub_40_20_20
_10.asp
Examples of CLASS F
• Pitric ACid
• Ether
• Perchloric Acid
• Alkali Cyanides
Safety Precautions
• Avoid Use if possible
• Keep away from potential reactions
• Do not mix with other chemicals
Hazardous Materials Not
Covered by WHMIS
• Consumer Restricted Products
• Explosives
• Cosmetics, Drugs and Food
• Pest Control Products
• Radioactive Materials
• Wood and products made of Wood
• Tobacco
• Hazardous Wastes
Three Key Components
• Education
• Labelling
• MSDS
Labels
• All products in a Workplace that fall
under WHMIS must have a label
• Two main types
• Supplier and Workplace
Supplier Label
•
• Product Identifier
• Supplier Identifier
• Hazard Symbol(s)
• Risks
• Precautionary Measures
• First Aid Measures
• Reference to MSDS
http://www.qshi.ca/_images/courseImages/Modules/supplier_label.jpg
Workplace Label
Reasons for a Workplace
Label
• Decanted or transferred
• Original Label Lost
• Products produced and used at
Workplace
Three Key Elements
•
• Education
• Labels
• MSDS
MSDS
• Information about controlled product
• Must be provided by supplier
• Illegal to use product without MSDS
• No more than 3 years old
Example of MSDS
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/docs/support/s
cisafe/msds3.gif
MSDS
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
EXTRA-HOW TO CLEAN UP A
SPILL
EG. Hydrochloric Acid
• 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
Bibliography
"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.hcsc.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/indexeng.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>.
The End/Questions