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