WHMIS"The Right to Know"

An overview presentation of the WHMIS program.

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WHMIS – THE RIGHT TO KNOW

Many hazardous materials are found in industry today. Exposures to these materials can result in harm or death.

Workers using these materials have the "right to know" what these materials are, how they can be harmed by them and what they can do to protect their health and safety

The WHMIS program was introduced to provide workers with this information

Introduction

WHMIS – BASIC AWARNENESS

An optional "test" is available for those wishing to demonstrate their knowledge of these basic concepts. A certificate identifying the participant, score and date is also available to document knowledge of the basic WHMIS fundamentals

This presentation has been designed to provide the participant with a BASIC OVERVIEW of the WHMIS program. It provides an "awareness" of the types of information that is legally required in the workplace.

This presentation is NOT designed to replace the employer's responsibility for providing proper instruction on ALL hazardous materials found in the workplace.

WHMIS

WORKPLACE

HAZARDOUS

MATERIALS

INFORMATION

SYSTEM

WHMIS

INFORMATION SYSTEM

Dealing with

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Used in the

WORKPLACE

An

WHMIS -TOPICS

Effects

Routes of Entry

Employer Responsibilities

Labels

Classes

History

3 Groups

Training

Terms

MSDS

Controls

WHMIS -HISTORY

An NZ sheep farmer accidentally drank a selenium solution that damaged his internal organs

Sean Kells

Mark Smith

Later while spraying pesticides, Mark used a respirator with the wrong cartridges and damaged his lungs

As a 19-year old student, Sean was working at a factory pouring flammable materials from one container to another. A spark set off an explosion and Sean was burned to 90% of his body. He died the following day.

Over the years many people have been killed or seriously injured as a result of exposure to hazardous materials. A couple of examples are:

WHMIS -EFFECTS

Acute effects are those that are felt immediately after a large exposure to a hazardous material

Latency Period

Acute

Hazardous materials are those that can they can have harmful effects on the human body. These effects can be:

The latency period is the time between exposure and when the harmful effects are felt. The latency period could be months or years

ChronicChronic effects are those that are felt after a long-term exposure to low levels of a hazardous material

WHMIS -ROUTES OF ENTRY

Through the nose or mouthExamples are fumes or vapours breathed in

Absorption

Inhalation

Hazardous materials can enter the body in a number of ways. These "routes of entry" are:

Ingestion

Direct penetration of the skinExamples are needles and slivers

Through the mouthExamples are materials accidentally eaten or drunk

Through the skinExamples are solvents used to wash hands

Injection

WHMIS -3 GROUPS

LabourGovernment

Employees handling hazardous materials have the "right to know" what they are handling and how it can harm them. 3 groups got together and implemented the WHMIS program so that employees could receive this information. These 3 groups were:

Industry

WHMIS -3 COMPONENTS

2. MSDS

1. Labels

There are 3 main components of the WHMIS program. 3 ways in which information is provided to users of hazardous materials

3. Training

WHMIS -LABELS

WorkplaceLabel

SupplierLabel

Under the WHMIS program containers of hazardous materials are to have a proper label. There are two types of labels:

WHMIS -SUPPLIERSupplierLabel

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

WHMIS -WORKPLACE

WorkplaceLabel

Workplace labels are required on containers into which WHMIS-controlled products have been poured. They are to have:

1. The name of the product

2. Handling instructions

3. Reference to MSDS

WHMIS – MSDSMaterial

A valid Material Safety Data Sheet is required for each WHMIS-controlled product in the workplace. The MSDS provides additional information on hazardous materials and is normally provided by the supplier of the product. An MSDS is required to have the following categories (not necessarily the exact words or order shown):

1. Product Identification2. Hazardous Ingredients

4. First aid measures5. Preventive Measures

6. Fire or Explosion Hazards7. Toxicological Properties8. Reactivity Data

SafetyData

Sheet

9. Preparation Information

3 yearsAn MSDS is valid for:

3. Chemical & Physical Data

WHMIS – SYMBOLSClass

Compressed Gas

Contents are under pressure and may explode.Do not dropKeep away from sources of ignition

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

A

Examples Oxygen

Propane

WHMIS – SYMBOLS

Class

Flammable and Combustible

Contents may burnKeep away from sources of ignition

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

B

Examples PropaneGasoline

WHMIS – SYMBOLSClass

Oxidizer (provides oxygen for burning)

Contents pose a fire or explosion riskKeep away from sources of ignition

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

C

Example Oxygen

WHMIS – SYMBOLSClass

Immediate and serious toxic effects

Contents are potentially fatalHandle with extreme caution

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

D 1

Examples Arsenic (used in pressure treating lumber)

WHMIS – SYMBOLSClass

Other toxic effects

Contents are not immediately dangerous to health butmay cause illness after repeated exposureUse proper protective equipment

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

D 2

Example Fiberglass insulation

WHMIS – SYMBOLS

Class

Biohazardous Material

Contents may cause serious disease or illnessAvoid contaminationUse proper protective equipment

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

D 3

Anthrax (used for tanning)Examples

WHMIS – SYMBOLS

Class

Corrosive

Contents may cause severe eye and skin damageAvoid contactUse proper protective equipment

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

E

Examples Battery acid (acid)

Cleaning agent (base)

WHMIS – SYMBOLSClass

Dangerously Reactive

Contents are very unstable and may explodeKeep away from sources of ignitionStore in proper location

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

F

Examples Nitroglycerine

WHMIS – TERMS

The measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a materialRange is 0 to 14Less than 7 are acidsGreater than 7 are basesThe closer to 0 or 14 the more corrosive the material

LD50

:

LC50

:

pH:

The Lethal Dose of a material that when fed to test animals causes 50% of them to die (the lower the number, the more toxic the material)

The Lethal Concentration of a material in the air when breathed by test animals causes 50% of them to die (the lower the number, the more toxic the material)

The following are terms that may be found on an MSDS

WHMIS – TERMS

SpecificGravity:

If less than 1, indicates that a liquid will float on waterIf greater than 1, indicates that a liquid sinks in water

The following are terms that may be found on an MSDS

VapourDensity:

If less than 1, indicates that a vapour will rise in airIf greater than 1, indicates that a vapour sinks in air

TLV: The Threshold Limit ValueSets maximum concentrations of contaminants in airFor 8-hour day or40-hour work week

WHMIS – TERMS

FlashPoint:

The lowest temperature at which flammable vapours will burst into flame with a source of ignition

The following are terms that may be found on an MSDS

AutoIgnitionTemperature:

BoilingPoint:

The lowest temperature at which flammable vapours will spontaneously burst into flame

The highest temperature at which a liquid will turn into a solid

The lowest temperature at which a liquid will turn into a vapour

FreezingPoint:

WHMIS – TRAINING

The information contained on WHMIS labels

Workers who use hazardous materials or who may be exposed to them are to receive training so that they understand:

Proper procedures for storing, handling and using hazardous materials

Emergency procedures in the event of spills or escapes of hazardous materials

The information contained on an MSDS

Generic concepts as well as specific information on the particular hazardous materials used in the workplace

WHMIS – EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES

Prepare an Inventory of all hazardous materials in the workplace(in conjunction with the Joint Health & Safety Committee)

Under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the employer has certain responsibilities. Some of these are:

Not allow hazardous materials to be used unless:-they are properly labeled-there is a valid MSDS-worker training has taken place

Ensure that all hazardous materials are properly labeled

Ensure that there is a valid MSDS for all hazardous materials

WHMIS – CONTROLS

At theSource:

Elimination of the material if it is not requiredSubstitution with a less hazardous material (if available)Most effective form of control

Controls are required to reduce the amount of exposure of hazardous materials to employees. There are 3 main types of controls:

Along thePath:

At theWorker:

Often involves the use of ventilation to reduce exposureMay result in others being exposedLess effective than at the source

Involves the use of Personal Protective Equipment(gloves, goggles, respirators, etc.)May interfere with worker comfortLeast effective form of control