WHMISYour right to know!!

Unit 2: WHMIS and Your Health

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

“An Information System designed to advise you on the Hazardous Materials you may encounter in your Workplace”

WHMIS and your Health

Workplace Hazards

What and Why?

Knowledge of Health Risks and possible

Health Related Outcomesof Exposure to Hazardous Material

Occupational (Workplace) Health

SOLID

LIQUID

GAS

Properties of Hazardous Materials

Fume

Dust

Smoke

Mist

Vapour

Tiny particles of solids suspended in the air

Tiny particles of liquid suspended in the air

Gaseous material that is normally a liquid at room temperature

SOLID

LIQUID

GAS

Mist

Vapour

Definitions of Hazardous MaterialsFume

Dust

Smoke

Routes of Entry...

Inhalation :Most common route of entry (i.e. Organic vapours causing central nervous system damage)

Ingestion : Swallowed (i.e. lead dust)

Injection: Accidental cut or force (compressed air…)(i.e. Blood/ Body Fluids - HIV, Hepatitis C)

Absorption:Through skin or open wounds(i.e. Formaldehyde- contact dermatitis

Target organs along the routes of exit...

Complex chemical reactions in body organs canseverely damage these organs and their functions!

Target organs along the routes of exit...

Liver: Complex chemical reactions in the liver break down unwanted and often harmful substances

Kidneys: Kidneys act as a filter for blood, separating and removing unwanted and harmful substances from the blood

Bladder: harmful and unwanted substances filtered out by the kidneys flow into the bladder for excretion from the body. Harmful substances may damage the bladder as well as the kidneys.

Toxicity:The ability of a substance to

produce an undesired, harmful effect to the body

Hazard:A potential danger

Glossary of Important Terms

The Body and Health Affects…..

Acute Effect: Chronic Effect: Latency Period:

Immediate harmful effectHarmful effect happening over a longer period of timeThe period of time between exposure and onset of harmful effect

Definitions...Carcinogen: A substance or physical agent that can cause cancer in humans.

e.g. - Asbestos

Mutagen: A substance or physical agent that can cause changes in one or more heredity features by modifying genes.

e.g. - Ionizing radiation

Teratogen: A substance capable of causing changes to the developing fetus.

e.g. Thalidomide

Controlling Hazards...The preferred method of control is:

At the source• elimination• substitution• isolation

Controlling Hazards...

Along the path• ventilation• barriers• housekeeping

Controlling Hazards...The least desired method of control is:

at the Worker•••

Personal Protective Equipment Work PracticesTraining

Controlling Hazards....

At the source ...

Along the path …

At the worker… * Least Desirable Option

… substitute

… personal protection

engineering control …

…..ventilation

Controlling Hazards...Examples of some Personal Protective Equipment symbols