WHMIS WHMIS became law through a combination of federal, provincial

and territorial legislation that became effective October 31, providing information on the safe use of hazardous materials

used in Canadian workplaces.

By Devin and Brady

Hazard identification Product classification Labeling Material safety data sheet Worker training and education

What are the main parts of WHMIS

It was created in response to the Canadian workers right to know about the safety and health hazards

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 are safety hazards and can cause fires or explosions.

Why was WHMIS created

WHMIS was developed by a tripartite steering committee with representatives from government, industry and labor to ensure everyone's best interests were considered.

How was WHMIS developed

employers and workers all have specified responsibilities in the Hazardous Products

Suppliers: Canadian suppliers are those who sell or import products. When this product is considered a "controlled product" according to the WHMIS legislation.

Employers: Employers are required to establish education and training programs for workers exposed to hazardous products in the workplace.

What are the duties under WHMIS

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

All controlled products fall into one of the six WHMIS classes.

What are controlled products?

WHMIS is enforces by the labour branch of Human Resources Development Canada for federal workplaces and by the provincial or territorial agencies responsible for occupational health and safety for most other workplaces.

Who enforces WHMIS

Yes. WHMIS first became law in 1988 through a series of complementary federal, provincial and territorial legislation and regulations.

Is WHMIS law?

The Hazardous Products Regulations were published in Canada Gazette, Part II on February 11, 2015. Both the amended Hazardous Products Act and new regulations are currently in force. "In force" means that suppliers may begin to use and follow the new requirements for labels and SDSs for hazardous products sold, distributed, or imported into Canada.

What is the status of the new WHMIS regulations

The exclusions under WHMIS 2015 are: Explosives as defined in the Explosives Act. Cosmetic, device, drug or food as defined in

the Food and Drugs Act. Pest control products as defined in the Pest

Control Products Act. Consumer products as defined in the

Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. Wood or products made of wood.

Which products are not covered by whmis?

Nuclear substances within the meaning of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, that are radioactive.

Hazardous waste being a hazardous product that is sold for recycling or recovery and is intended for disposal.

Tobacco and tobacco products as defined in the Tobacco Act.

Products not covered continued…

Consumer products are those products that can be purchased in a store and are generally intended to be used in the home. They often include cleaning products, adhesives, or lubricants. These products are labelled according to other legislation.

A comprehensive chemical safety program would include both hazardous products as regulated by WHMIS, and any other products that a worker may be exposed to (which includes consumer products). Workers should still receive education and training for safe use of these products.

What happens if consumer products are used in the workplace?

Compressed gas

A compressed gas is a material which is a gas at normal room temperature (20 C) and pressure but is packaged as a pressured gas, dissolved gas or gas liquified by compression or refrigeration. The hazard from these materials, aside from their chemical nature, arises from sudden loss of integrity of the container. A compressed gas cylinder is usually quite heavy and when ruptured can become a projectile with the potential to cause significant damage. Acetylene and oxygen are examples of compressed gases.

Compressed gas

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL

Flammable or combustible materials will ignite and continue to burn if exposed to a flame or source of ignition. Materials are classified as a flammable gas, flammable aerosol, flammable liquid, combustible liquid, flammable solid, or reactive flammable material. Methane, acetone, aniline, and lithium hydride are examples of flammable materials.

Flammable and combustible gases

oxidizing

An oxidizing material may or may not burn itself, but will release oxygen or another oxidizing substance, and thereby causes or contributes to the combustion of another material. Ozone, chlorine, and nitrogen dioxide are oxidizing materials. These chemicals wil support a fire and are highly reactive.

Oxidizing

POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL

A pure substance or mixture that may be any one of the following: a carcinogen, teratogen, reproductive toxin, respiratory tract sensitizer, irritant or chronic toxic hazard. Examples: Asbestos causes cancer, ammonia is an irritant.

POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL

biohazard

This classification includes any organisms and the toxins produced by these organisms that have been shown to cause disease or are believed to cause disease in either humans or animals. For example, a blood sample containing the Hepatitis B virus is a biohazardous infectious material. It may cause hepatitis in persons exposed to it.

Biohazard

CORROSIVE MATERIAL

Corrosive materials can attack (corrode) metals or cause permanent damage to human tissues such as the skin and eyes on contact. Burning, scarring, and blindness may result from skin or eye contact. Corrosive materials may also cause metal containers or structural materials to become weak and eventually to leak or collapse. Ammonia, fluorine, and hydrochloric acid are examples of corrosive substances.

Corrosive Materials

DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE MATERIAL

Dangerously reactive materials may undergo vigorous polymerization, decomposition or condensation. They may react violently under conditions of shock or an increase in pressure or temperature. They may also react vigorously with water to release a toxic gas. Ozone, hydrazine, and benzoyl peroxide are examples of dangerously reactive materials.

Reactive material