WHMIS

While going about her normal cleaning duties on day, a school custodian unintentionally mixed two cleaning solvents. Soon, irritating fumes of toxic chlorine gas filled the room, making it difficult for her to breathe. She was rushed to hospital, where she died later that evening.

This event prompted school board officials to question whether any other products used in schools were hazardous.

What is WHMIS ?The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's hazard communication standard for the workplace.

What are the main parts of WHMIS?The main components of WHMIS are:

hazard identification and product classification,

labelling,

material safety data sheets, and

worker training and education.

Why was WHMIS created?Canadian workers' right to know about the

safety of materials or chemicals they use at work.

Exposure to hazardous materials can cause or contribute to many serious health effects such as effects on the nervous system, kidney or lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns and rashes

Some hazardous materials can cause fires or explosions.

WHMIS was created to help stop the injuries, illnesses, deaths, medical costs, and fires caused by hazardous materials.

What are controlled products?Controlled products is the name given to

products, materials, and substances that are regulated by WHMIS legislation.

All controlled products fall into one or more of six WHMIS classes.

The 6 WHMIS classes:

1. Class A: Compressed gas

2. Class B: Flammable and Combustible material

3. Class C: Oxidizing material

4. Class D: Poisonous and Infectious materials• Division 1 (D1) - Materials Causing

Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects• Division 2 (D2) - Materials Causing

Other Toxic Effects• Division 3 (D3) - Biohazardous

Infectious Material

5. Class E: Corrosive material

6. Class F: Dangerously Reactive material

Labeling controlled productsUnder WHMIS regulations most controlled products must be

labeled.

Supplier labels and workplace labels are the only two types used in WHMIS.

All WHMIS labels have to be clear, easy to read and prominently displayed on the product container.

SUPPLIER LabelsSupplierLabel

Supplier labels are to be on containers of WHMIS-controlled products brought into the workplace. They are to have:

1. The name of the product

2. Risk phrases

3. Precautionary measures

4. First aid measures

5. Appropriate hazard symbols

6. Reference to MSDS

7. The name of the supplier

8. A dashed border

Workplace labelsWorkplace labels are required on containers into which

WHMIS-controlled products have been poured. They are to have:material identifier or product name, reference to a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for

further information, information on how to use the product safely.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

WHMIS MSDSs have nine categoriesof information:Section 1 - Product Information:

including identification and use Section 2 - Hazardous Ingredients: listing of ingredients

considered hazardous as well as each ingredient's concentration, etc.

Section 3 - Physical Information: form, odor, appearance, pH, etc.

Section 4 - Fire or Explosion Hazard: conditions of flammability, flash point, etc.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Section 5 - Reactivity Information: conditions of instability, reactivity, decomposition, etc.

Section 6 - Health Hazard Information: route of entry, effects of exposure, exposure limits, etc.

Section 7 - Preventive Measures: personal protective equipment, waste disposal, storage, etc.

Section 8 - First Aid Measures Section 9 - Preparation Information and Update: person

who wrote MSDS, date of preparation

Household HazardsSafety tips (from http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/environment-environnement/home-maison/chemicals-chimiques-eng.php)

•Read the label before you buy or use a household chemical product. • Follow the instructions every time you use a household chemical. By law, the label must include

instructions on how to use and store the product safely. It must also show warnings of potential hazards.

• By law, household chemical products must have a bordered label on the back or side. Inside the border, you will find instructions for safe use and first aid treatment, and a list of harmful substances in the product.

• Look for hazard symbols on the front of the product. If you don't already know what these symbols mean, learn them. If you follow the instructions, you could prevent an injury. You could even save a life.

• Do not cover up or remove the labels from household chemical products.

•Use household chemical products carefully, especially around children. • Never mix household chemical products together. Some mixtures can produce harmful gases.• Check that child-resistant closures are in good working order.• Child-resistant does not mean child-proof. Close the cap on the container all the way even if you

set it down for just a moment.• Teach children that hazard symbols mean Danger! Do not touch.• Post emergency phone numbers by your telephone and/or program the number into your phone.

Household Hazards Cont’d(http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/environment-environnement/home-maison/chemicals-chimiques-eng.php)

•Store household chemical products safely. • Store all household chemical products in their original containers. Keep all safety

information.• Keep all household chemical products locked away, where children cannot see or

reach them.• Try not to store products that may release harmful fumes or catch fire inside your

home. These items include paints, solvents, gasoline, fuels or varnishes. Store them according to the instructions on the product’s label in a separate building if you can, or in an area that is well vented to the outside.

•Dispose of leftover household chemical products safely. • Buy only the amount you need for the job so there is no waste.• Check your city or town's guidelines for instructions on how to dispose of

chemicals and other hazardous wasteNever:

• burn household chemical containers• pour the contents down the drain unless directed • inappropriately re-use empty containers

Household Hazardous Product SymbolsIn addition to WHMIS and MSDS, products intended for use in the home also have labels. Those labels have 2 parts.

•THE PICTURE•THE CAUTION (SIGNAL) WORD

The Picture (HHPS)

The Signal Words

Your Assignment 1. Locate MSDS sheets for chlorine bleach using the Internet.

a) Identify the content in the MSDS sheets that indicates a dangerous gas could be produced.b) Capture an image of this portion of the MSDS sheet.

2. Identify an incident that occurred recently (within the past 5 years) at a high school in Canada related to hazardous materials.

a) Write a summary of the incident and list the chemicals involved. b) Locate the MSDS for one of the involved chemicals and review it. Could the incident have

been avoided with this information?

Be prepared to present your incident very briefly in front of the class.

Assignment Cont’d3. Go to http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/environment-environnement/home-maison/

hazard-risque-eng.php and complete the “Virtual House Tour” and “Take the home health quiz”.

4. Find a product in your home that has WHMIS or HHPS information on the label. a) Take a picture of the product being sure to clearly show the label. b) Identify in words what the picture and signal words tell you about the hazard.c) Record any additional safety information found on the product. d) Go online and find the MSDS sheets for the product. Read through them and identify

something you found interesting or surprising.

Helpful Links • Health Canada WHMIS site: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-

semt/occup-travail/whmis-simdut/symbols-signaux-eng.php• Health Canada MSDS site: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-

semt/occup-travail/whmis-simdut/msds-fs-eng.php• Health Canada HHPS site:

http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/environment-environnement/home-maison/chemicals-chimiques-eng.php

• Health Canada Hazard Product Symbols: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/legislation/acts-lois/hazard-symbol-danger-eng.php