WHMIS
WHMIS stands for:
W
WORKPLACE
H
HAZARDOUS
M
MATERIALS
I
INFORMATION
S
SYSTEM
Purpose of WHMIS
• To keep all Canadian workers safe in the
workplace…
Responsibilities Under WHMIS
• Duties of the Supplier
– Classify Product
– Apply Supplier Label
– Provide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Responsibilities Under WHMIS
• Duties of the Employer
– Conduct Workplace Inventory
– Ensure Proper Labeling is Used
– Maintain and Make Available MSDS’s
– Train Workers
Responsibilities Under WHMIS
• Duties of a Worker
– Participate in Training
– Apply Knowledge and Training
– KEEP YOURSELF SAFE!!
“Right to Know”
• Workers have Access to Information
through their Employer
• Don’t be a “yes” employee…
Supplier Label
• Product Identifier
• Hazard Symbols
• Risk Phrases and Precautions
• First Aid, Supplier Information
• Precautions
• Safe Handling Precautions
• Reference to MSDS
What has a WHMIS label?
• Only materials that are deemed
hazardous and are found in the
workplace require WHMIS labels
• Your nail polish remover, bathroom
cleaner, etc. at home are covered
separately
WHMIS Hazard Classifications
• Compressed Gas
– Any Hazardous Material that is contained
under pressure including compressed gas,
dissolved gas, or liquefied gas
Compressed Gas Cylinders
• store and transport with safety cap, because…
• comply with storage restrictions, because…
• DO NOT store fuel gas with oxygen, because…
• secure in an upright position, because…
• use in a well ventilated area, because…
• use the proper type of regulator and know its
history, because…
Fun with compressed gas
cylinders
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejEJG
NLTo84
• Flammable and Combustible Material
– Any material which can catch fire or combust
when placed near another material
– Includes solids, liquids and gases
Flammable Materials
• Store liquids in Flammable Storage Cabinet
• Pour larger quantities in fume hood
• NEVER store with oxidizers
• Keep away from heat, ignition sources, and direct
sunlight
• Oxidizing Material
– Any Hazardous Material which causes or
contributes to the combustion of another
material by giving it oxygen
– Eg. Pool & spa test strips, ozone, bleach…
Oxidizers
• Easily oxidize metal powders, organic
materials
• Store away from other materials, such as
organic solvents
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Poisonous & Infectious Materials
(Class 1)
– “poisonous”
– Causes immediate and serious effects
• Poisonous & Infectious Materials
(Class 2) – Toxic Materials
– “toxic” (looks like a capital T)
– Material causing other chronic or long term
effects (cancer, birth defects, etc.)
• Poisonous & Infectious Materials
(Class 3)- Biohazards
– Materials which may cause disease in
humans and animals, such as viruses,
bacteria, and fungi; may also include
cultures and diagnostic specimens such as
blood, urine, and body tissue.
• Corrosive Material
– Material which may corrode aluminum and
steel or human flesh
– Can be liquid or gases
Corrosives at Home
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfDV
LsBXYcM
• From “Fight Club”
• Dangerously Reactive Material
– Materials which become self-reactive under
conditions of shock, or increased
temperature or pressure
– Materials which react vigorously with water
to produce a very toxic gas
General Dry Chemicals
•Relatively innocuous or unreactive
•No special storage requirements
Quiz time!
WHMIS “Name that Symbol”
Poisonous
Biohazard
WHMIS “Name that Symbol”
Flammable
Corrosive
WHMIS “Name that Symbol”
Dangerously
Reactive
Toxic
WHMIS “Name that Symbol”
Oxidizers
Compressed
Gas
WHMIS Labels
Workplace Label
• Product Identifier
• Safe Handling Precautions
• Reference to MSDS
Typical Workplace Labels
MSDS Contents
• Hazardous Ingredients
• Product Information
• Preparation Information
• Physical Data
• Fire & Explosion Hazard
• Reactivity Data
• Toxicological Properties
• Preventative Measures
• First Aid Measures
Product Information
• Product Identifier
• Manufacturer’s/Supplier’s Name and
Address
• Emergency Telephone Number
• Product Use
Physical Data
• Odour Threshold
• Physical State
• Vapour Pressure
• Odour & Appearance
• Coefficient of Water/Oil
Distribution
• Specific Gravity
(Water=1)
• Boiling Point (oC) and
Freezing Point (oC)
• Vapour Density (Air=1)
• Evaporation Rate
(Butyl Acetate=1)
• pH
• Percent Volatile (by
volume)
Fire & Explosion Hazard
• Conditions of Flammability
• Means of Extinction
• Sensitivity to Mechanical Impact
• Sensitivity to Static Discharge
• Flashpoint (oC) and Method
• Upper and Lower Flammable Limits (%)
• Autoignition Temperature (oC)
• Hazardous Combustion Products
It’s all about a safe workplace!
Spot the Hazards
Spot the Hazards
Work time!
• Fill in the blanks using the MSDS sheet
that you have been given