Annual Learning Package
Workplace Hazards
WHMIS
Safety Core Curriculum 2013
WHMIS
Did You Know?
What does WHMIS provide for us?
During the course of the workday health care
workers can be exposed to potentially hazardous
agents. This may happen while performing:
 Diagnostic testing
 Certain procedures
 Patient care activities
 Support services e.g. Housekeeping
WHMIS is a nationally based hazardous
materials workplace information system and
forms Canada’s hazard communication
standards. It provides workers with improved
hazard information through a system of labels
and product information sheets called MSDS.
It provides:
 Accurate consistent information for deciding
how materials should be stored, handled and
used
 A system for easy hazard recognition
WHMIS is the “Right to Know”
Legislation
WHMIS legislation applies to all workplaces in
Canada and both federal and provincial
governments have passed supporting WHMIS
legislation.
WHMIS Means:
Federal
Legislation
Bill C-70
Workplace
Hazardous
Materials
Information
System
Provincial
Legislation
Bill 79

MSDS Means:
Material
Safety
Data
Sheet




Amended the
Hazardous
Product Act
Identifies
“controlled
Products”
Ensures the
provinces
applies the
WHMIS
framework
Outlines
supplier
requirements
2013 Safety Core Curriculum – WHMIS
1



Provides
specific details
about WHMIS
Outlines roles
and
responsibilities
of employees
and employers
to ensure safe
work
environments
WHMIS
What is a hazardous or controlled product?
It is any substance that can produce adverse effects to the health or safety of a worker
Because some materials are covered through other legislation they may be exempt or partially exempt from
WHMIS legislation.
Fully exempt products include:
 Wood and wood products
 Manufactured articles
 Tobacco or products derived from tobacco
 Hazardous wastes
 Products covered by Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Legislation
Partially exempt products include:
 Some consumer products
 Cosmetics and drugs
 Explosives
 Pesticides
 Radioactive substances
Controlled Products Classification – Hazard Symbols
WHMIS applies only to controlled products. Under the legislation all controlled products are classified by
their potential hazard. Products can fall in one or more of the classifications for hazardous materials.
Symbol and Name
Class A:
Compressed Gas
Class B:
Flammable or Combustible
Definition and Risks




Precautions and Examples
Normally gases are kept in
pressurized containers
Contents are under pressure and
could explode



Do not drop/rupture
Store away from heat sources
Examples: Oxygen, Nitrous
Oxide
Continue to burn after exposed
to a flame or ignition source
Potential fire hazard

Keep away from heat sources or
sparks and other materials that
can ignite
Ensure electrical sources are
safe
Examples: Isopropyl Alcohol,
Acetone, Xylene, Varsol
Store away from heat sources;
increased fire and explosive
hazard
Store in proper containers
Examples: Oxygen, bleach pak
(Chlorine Bleach)
Wear proper protective
equipment and handle with care
Examples: Gentian violet,
formalin


Class C:
Oxidizing Materials



Class D:
Materials Causing Immediate and
Serious Toxic Effects


Can cause other materials to
burn or support combustion
May cause combustibles to
explode or react violently

Poisons/potentially fatal
materials which cause
immediate and severe harm
Will cause rapid injury or death
on contact
Fatal if ingested or inhaled

2013 Safety Core Curriculum – WHMIS
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


WHMIS
Symbol and Name
Class D:
Materials Causing Other Toxic
Effects



Class D:
Biohazardous
Infectious Material

Class E:
Corrosive materials

Class F:
Dangerously
Reactive Materials




Definition and Risks
Have harmful effects after
repeated exposures or over long
periods of time
May sensitize you so you
develop an allergy or rash
May cause cancer or birth
defects
May be contagious, contains
bacteria or viruses and lead to
infective disease



Precautions and Examples
Examples: Xylene, Formalin,
Crew Klean ‘N Shine, Multi
Surface Crème Cleanser
Handle with care and adhere to
Standard Precautions
Examples: Medical wastes,
contaminated sharps
May react with metal, skin and
other body tissue such as lungs
Inhaled vapours may cause lung
damage



Wear protective equipment
Avoid eye contact
Examples: Iodine, Glance HC
(hyperconcentrate), Bleach pak
(chlorine bleach)
May have unexpected reactions
Very unstable and may undergo
a rapid chemical change if
exposed to shock, increased
temperature or pressure
May react with other liquids,
releasing a toxic gas or cause
explosion

Avoid sudden temperature
changes
Do not mix products
Examples: Acetylene


COMPRESSED GAS
A compressed gas is a substance that is a gas at normal room temperature and pressure, and is contained under
pressure, usually in a cylinder. Some compressed gases (e.g. acetylene) are stabilized in the cylinder by dissolving
the gas in a liquid or solid mix.
Hazards of compressed gas:
Sudden, uncontrolled release of cylinder contents – damaged cylinders can rocket or spin out of control causing
significant injury and damage. Knocking over an uncapped cylinder breaking the cylinder valve can cause this type
of incident.
Suffocation – a compressed gas cylinder contains a huge volume of chemical. For example a liter of liquid nitrogen
forms 700 litres of nitrogen gas at room temperature. A leak in a confined area could displace air and cause people
to suffocate. Frostbite— gases escaping from a cylinder may be very cold and cause frostbite. Severe frostbite can
lead to permanent skin damage. Other Hazards – a compressed gas may also be labelled with other WHMIS
designations such as toxic, explosive, or oxidizing agent.
In a health care environment where compressed gas is used often (i.e. oxygen tanks) it is important to remember to
utilize safe handling, storage and transport practices. During use and storage tanks must be properly labelled
and secured, so as to avoid possible injury due to a rolling, falling, or damaged cylinder. Always store full and
empty cylinders in separate locations, and secured in racks, carts, or chained to the wall to prevent cylinders from
falling and exploding
2013 Safety Core Curriculum – WHMIS
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WHMIS
Key Elements of WHMIS:
1.
2.
3.
Product Listings and MSDS
Material Safety Data Sheets
Labels
Education and Training
All products and their accompanying MSDS have
been inventoried. The product listings and current
sheets are available.
Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS)
How to access an MSDS at SMH:
Hardcopy
There is a WHMIS Binder that has the MSDS for the
products used in the hospital located on each floor
near the elevator bank. There are master binders of
all MSDS sheets located in Materials Management
and the Emergency Department.
These sheets are an important source of information
for all health care workers.
The supplier of the controlled/hazardous product
provides the information sheet.
It consists of 9 categories of detailed information
about such areas as:
 Health hazards
 First aid
 Protective equipment
 Storage of the product
On-Line ** NEW
They are accessible via the computer network at
SMH on the Shared Data Drive.
S:\Material Safety Data Sheets
The sheets must be kept current and must be less than
3 years old. In addition they must be easily
accessible to all employees.
Johnson wax
PROFESSIONAL
Material Safety Data Sheet
GOOD SENSE SC LIQUID AIR FRESHENER
National Fire
Fire Hazard
Protection
Association
(NFPA)
Health
Protective
Clothing
Specific Hazard
None required
Emergency
Overview
Reactivity
Hazardous Material
Health
2
Information System
Fire Hazard
0
(HMIS)
Reactivity
0
Colourless Liquid See Section 8
CAUTION: May be mildly irritating to skin.
May cause eye irritation.
Section 1. Chemical Product and Company Identification
Product Name Good Sense SC Liquid Air Freshener
Product Use Industrial/Institutional Air care.
This product is intended to be diluted prior to use
MSDS #
113915002
U.S.
Headquarter
s
Johnson Wax Professional
8310 16th Street
Sturtevant, Wisconsin 53177-0902
Phone (888) 352-2249
MSDS Internet Address:
www.iwc.com
Canadian
Headquarte
rs
Code
PMS#
7826
448696
Validation Date
Print Due
Supersedes
In Case of
Emergency
8/2/2002
8/2/2001
7/30/2001
Johnson Wax Professional
100 Matheson Blvd. E. Ste.203
Mississauga ON L4Z 2G7
Phone (905) 755-0913 or
(888) 746-5971
Section 2. Composition and Information or Ingredients
Ingredient
CAS #
% by Weight
Exposure Limits
Water
Alcohol Eloxylates
7732-18-5
68439-46-3
60-100
5-10
Not available
Not available
Sod Xylene Sulfonate
1300-72-7
1-5
Not available
1-5
Not available
Fragrance
(800) 851-7145
LC50/LD50
Not available
ORAL (LD50): Acute 1378
Mg/kg (Rat): DERMAL
(LD50);
Acute: >2000 mg/kg [Rabbit]:
Not available
Not available
2013 Safety Core Curriculum – WHMIS
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WHMIS
WHMIS LABELS
Workplace Label
Product labels are often the first identifier of a
WHMIS warning. They provide basic information
while the MSDS provides very detailed
information.
A workplace label must be attached to a hazardous
product under the following situations:
 If a product is purchased in bulk from a
supplier and distributed
 If transferring or decanting a product from the
supplier’s container to another container
 If the supplier or original label is accidentally
removed or cannot be read
2 types of WHMIS labels include:
 Supplier Label
 Workplace Label
The workplace label does NOT have hazard
symbols or a hatched border
Supplier Labels
The manufacturer of a hazardous product must
provide supplier labels. All hazardous products of
100 mL or more must be labelled and information
must be provided in both French and English.
1
Name of Product
The distinguishing features of the supplier label are:
 the hatched border and square corners
 one or more hazard symbols
 product identifier (name of product)
 name of company that sold the product
 a statement that an MSDS is available
 risk phrases (words that describe the main
hazards of the product)
 precautionary measures (how to work with the
product safely)
 first aid measures
Statement indicating that a copy of a material
safety data sheet (MSDS) is available
Safe handling instructions
2
3
How to complete the Workplace Label
Information for filling out the workplace label can
be found on the supplier label or MSDS.
The workplace label is required to have 3 pieces of
important information
1. Name of the product
2. A statement indicating that a material safety
data sheet is available in the work place
3. Safe handling instructions
2013 Safety Core Curriculum – WHMIS
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WHMIS
Other Types of Labels
Products exempt from WHMIS legislation frequently have their own identifying system warning us of
potential hazards.
For example, consumer products that are hazardous must be labelled if they are poisonous, corrosive,
flammable or explosive.
Poison
Corrosive
Flammable
The hazard symbols are typically shaped as:



Explosive
Triangle
Diamond
Octagon
CAUTION
DANGER
Moderate
hazard/long-term
or hidden harm
Severe hazard/
immediate harm
WARNING
Special hazard/
special
When working with these products it is the employee’s responsibility to:

Read the labels and follow warnings with these products

Ensure labeling is intact

Place a workplace label on the product if placed in a container other then the orginal
2013 Safety Core Curriculum – WHMIS
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WHMIS
Who has Responsibility Under WHMIS?
Legislation has placed responsibilities on the
 Supplier of hazardous materials
 Employer
 Employee
Responsibilities of a Supplier
Suppliers must:
 Determine which product are
designated as “Controlled
Products” according to legislation
 Assign an appropriate WHMIS
category or symbol
 Attach a supplier label to the
product
 Provide an MSDS for every
hazardous product
 Update MSDS and label with new
information at least once every 3
years
Responsibilities of an Employee
Employees must:
 Participate in training programs
 Use information learned to protect
their own health and safety i.e.
wear protective equipment
 Read labels and refer to MSDS
before using a product
 Apply workplace labels when
decanting or if supplier label is
defaced
 Know the location of the MSDS
inventory
Responsibilities of an Employer
Employers must:
 Ensure products are labelled
properly
 Ensure the MSDS is received
from the supplier
 Maintain an up to date and
readily accessible MSDS
inventory
 Advise employees of hazards and
required protection
 Train workers so they understand
information on labels and MSDS
 Have protective equipment
available
2013 Safety Core Curriculum – WHMIS
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WHMIS
Exposure to a Hazardous material can
occur through:
Factors influencing whether a product can affect
your health:
Inhalation






Breathing in
hazardous fumes
How toxic the material is
Amount entering your body
How quickly it is absorbed into the bloodstream
Where it goes in your body i.e. target site
How the body deals with it or eliminates it
Four Main Sites Where Disease Can Occur
Ingestion

Accidentally
swallowing or
drinking a hazardous
liquid




At the site of entry (lungs, skin, intestine)
In the blood
In the nervous, reproductive and digestive
systems
In the organs (liver, kidney, bladder)
*Exposure can lead to acute or chronic effects*
Absorption

Skin/eye contact
with a hazardous
material
How can you protect yourself:





Injection

Through blood and
body fluids and
needlestick injury



Be knowledgeable about products you are using
at work
Read labels and MSDS
Never mix controlled products together
Wear protective equipment
Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, mucous
membranes
Avoid inhaling fumes
Wash your hands frequently
Prevent needlestick injury
2013 Safety Core Curriculum – WHMIS
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WHMIS
WHMIS ANNUAL LEARNING REVIEW TEST
1.
Which of the following are the three key elements of WHMIS:
a. MSDS’s, controlled products and labels
b. Training, labels and SDS’s
c. Labels, MSDS’s , education/ training.
d. None of the above
2.
Which is/are key area(s) of employer responsibility under WHMIS?
a. Maintaining MSDS
b. Ensuring products are labelled
c. Providing protective equipment
d. All of the above
3.
Hazardous wastes are fully exempt from WHMIS legislation.
a. True
b. False
4.
If you pour an cleaner from a large container into a smaller container for use during the next
couple of days you must:
a. Label the small container with a workplace label.
b. Hide the small container when not in use.
c. Store it with other solutions in similar containers in your department.
d. Be careful not to inhale while pouring.
5.
WHMIS supplier labels ….
a. Act to warn workers of the dangers of hazardous products
b. Have a distinctive cross-hatched border
c. Must be in both English and French
d. All of the above
6.
What do the letters on WHMIS stand for?
a. Workplace Healthy Materials Information System.
b. Workplace Hazardous Management Information System
c. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
d. None of the above
7.
Which is NOT a key area of employee responsibility under WHMIS?
a. Knowing the location of MSDS inventories
b. Completing education and training
c. Assign an appropriate WHMIS category or symbol
d. Reading labels and refer to MSDS before using a product
8.
Compressed gas cylinders MUST be stored…
a. Free standing
b. In one area whether full or empty
c. In racks, carts, or secured to the wall, bed, stretcher or wheelchair
d. None of the above
2013 Safety Core Curriculum – WHMIS
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WHMIS
9.
What are the four entry methods for chemicals to enter the body:
a. Ingestion, intravenous, inhalation, absorption
b. Ingestion, absorption, exhalation, injection
c. Ingestion, absorption, inhalation, injection
d. Ingestion, inhalation, exhalation, intravenous
10.
Three hazards which are associated with compressed gas are…
a. Sudden release of contents, suffocation and explosion.
b. Suffocation, frostbite and explosion
c. Sudden release of contents, suffocation and frostbite
d. None of the above
Answer the following questions using the MSDS found in the reference binders or shared drive S:|
11.
What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required when using Accel wipes to
clean equipment:
a. Goggles, gloves, gown
b. Gloves
c. Respirator face mask
d. None
12.
A container (large or small) containing Formalin should be transported in a:
a. Card box
b. Plastic container to contain any spills
c. Your pocket
d. In your bare hands
13.
Match the hazard symbol with the correct statement:
Using the Answer Sheet provided, fill in the appropriate answer bubble
Example: 13i) =
Symbols
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
Meanings
A. May explode if the container is dropped, falls or is
punctured
C. Can cause long term effects such as cancer.
E. Will burn readily if exposed to sparks or fire
G. May contain material that is contagious, contains
bacteria or viruses and lead to infectious diseases
B. Fatal if eaten or inhaled.
D. May react with other liquids, releasing a toxic gas or
cause explosion
F. Can cause other materials to burn or support
combustion
H. May react with skin and other body tissue such as
lungs
2013 Safety Core Curriculum – WHMIS
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