WHMIS

Purpose of WHMIS

• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

• Provides Information on Hazardous Materials used in Workplace

• Facilitates the Process of Hazard Identification

• Ensures Consistency of Information in all Canadian Workplaces

Federal Legislation:

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Ontario Legislation:

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Responsibilities Under WHMIS

• Duties of the Supplier– Classify Product– Apply Supplier Label– Provide Material Safety Data Sheet

Responsibilities Under WHMIS

• Duties of the Employer– Conduct Workplace Inventory– Ensure Proper Labeling is Used– Label Piping Systems/Vessels/Reactors– Maintain and Make Available MSDS’s– Train Workers

Responsibilities Under WHMIS

• Duties of a Worker– Participate in Training– Apply Knowledge and Training

Exclusions Under WHMIS

• The Explosives Act

• The Food and Drug Act

• The Pest Control Product’s Act

• The Atomic Energy Control Act

• Hazardous Wastes

• Consumer Products/Tobacco/Manufactured Articles

“Right to Know”

• Worker’s have Access to Information through their Employer

• Public has Access to Information through Local Medical Officer of Health

WHMIS Hazard Classifications

Class A

• Compressed Gas– Any Hazardous Material that is

contained under pressure including compressed gas, dissolved gas, or liquefied gas

Compressed Gas Cylinders

• store and transport with safety cap

• comply with storage restrictions

• DO NOT store fuel gas with oxygen

• secure in an upright position

• use in a well ventilated area

• use the proper type of regulator and know its history

Class B

• Flammable and Combustible Material– Flammable Gases– Flammable and Combustible Liquids– Flammable Solids– Flammable Aerosols– Reactive Flammable Material

Flammable Materials

• Methanol, Toluene, Butane, Ethanol

• Store liquids in Flammable Storage Cabinet

• Store minimum quantities in lab

• Explosion-proof fixtures required

• Decant in large quantities in fume hood

• NEVER store with oxidizers

• Keep away from heat, ignition sources, and direct sunlight

• Use static lines when transferring

• Refrigerator must meet NFPA Standard 56C ( Flammable Material Storage Units)

Class C

• Oxidizing Material– Any Hazardous Material which causes

or contributes to the combustion of another material by giving oxygen or some other oxidizing substance, whether or not it is combustible.

– Organic Peroxides

Oxidizers

• Chlorates, Nitric Acid, Peroxides, Permanganates, Perchlorates, Nitrites, Nitrates

• Easily oxidize metal powders, organic materials

• Keep minimum quantities in lab

• Segregate from other materials, such as organic solvents

• Use a glass-heating mantle or sand bath to heat material

• PPE and/or Explosion barriers may be require

Class D1

• Poisonous & Infectious Materials– Material causing immediate and

serious toxic effects– Materials which are potentially fatal or

may cause permanent damage if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin, or may burn the skin or eyes upon contact

Class D2

• Poisonous & Infectious Materials– Material causing other chronic or long

term effects– Material which may cause death or

permanent damage as a result of repeated exposure over an extended period of time; may be an irritant to the skin, eyes, or respiratory system; may cause cancer, birth defects, or sterility.

Class D3

• Poisonous & Infectious Materials– Biohazardous and Infectious Materials– Materials which may cause disease in

humans and animals, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi; may also include cultures and diagnostic specimens such as blood, urine, and body tissue.

Class E

• Corrosive Material– Material which may corrode aluminum

and steel or human flesh– Material which are anhydrous corrosive

gases

Class F

• Dangerously Reactive Material– Materials which undergo vigorous

polymerization, decomposition, or condensation

– Materials which become self-reactive under conditions of shock, or increased temperature or pressure

– Materials which react vigorously with water to produce a very toxic gas

Chemical Compatibility

• Never store incompatible materials together

• Vapours will react

• Chemical Compatibility Chart

WHMIS Labels

Supplier Label

• Product Identifier

• Hazard Symbols

• Border

• Bilingual

• Risk Phrases and Precautions

• First Aid, Supplier Information

• Precautions

• Safe Handling Precautions

• Reference to MSDS

Workplace Label

• Product Identifier

• Safe Handling Precautions

• Reference to MSDS

Workplace Label Uses

• Transfer of material from a Supplier Labeled container to another container

• Replacement of a damaged Supplier Label

Sample of a Workplace Label

NFPA Hazard Classifications

MSDS Contents

• Hazardous Ingredients

• Preparation Information

• Fire & Explosion Hazard

• Toxicological Properties

• First Aid Measures

• Product Information

• Physical Data

• Reactivity Data

• Preventative Measures

Hazardous Ingredients

• Chemical Identity

• CAS Number

• LD50= Lethal Dose to kill 50% of Species tested through eating & contact.

• LC50= Lethal Concentration to kill 50% of Species through inhalation (breathing)

• Concentration

• PIN Number

Product Information

• Product Identifier

• Manufacturer’s/Supplier’s Name and Address

• Emergency Telephone Number

• Product Use

Preparation Information

• Prepared by (Group, Department, etc.)

• Phone Number

• Date of Preparation

Physical Data

• Odour Threshold

• Vapour Pressure

• Coefficient of Water/Oil Distribution

• Boiling Point (oC) and Freezing Point (oC)

• Evaporation Rate (Butyl Acetate=1)

• Physical State

• Odour & Appearance

• Specific Gravity (Water=1)

• Vapour Density (Air=1)

• pH

• Percent Volatile (by volume)

Fire & Explosion Hazard

• Conditions of Flammability• Means of Extinction

• Sensitivity to Mechanical Impact

• Sensitivity to Static Discharge

• Flashpoint (oC) and Method

• Upper and Lower Flammable Limits (%)

• Autoignition Temperature (oC)

• Hazardous Combustion Products

Class A Fires

• Are fires fueled by materials that, when they burn, leave a residue in the form of ash

• Paper, wood, cloth, rubber, and certain plastics

• Extinguisher type: Water, Dry Chemical

Class B Fires

• Fires which involve flammable liquids and gases

• Gasoline, paint thinner, grease, propane, acetylene

• Extinguisher type: Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical

Class C Fires

• Fires that involve energized electrical wiring or equipment (motors, computers, electrical panels). Note once the power has been cut, a Class CF fire becomes one of the other classes

• Extinguisher type: Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical

Class D Fires

• Class D fires involve exotic metals, such as magnesium, sodium, titanium, and certain organometallic compounds such as alkyllithium and Grignard reagents

Reactivity Data

• Stability

• Incompatible Materials

• Conditions of Reactivity

• Hazardous Decomposition Products

Toxicological Properties• Irritancy to

Product

• Effects of Acute Exposure

• Evidence of Carcinogenicity, Reproductive Toxicity, the ability to cause Birth Defects or capable of noticeably increasing the frequency of mutation.

• Routes of Entry

• Exposure Limits

• Synergistic Products

• Sensitivity to Product

• Effects of Chronic Exposure

Preventative Measures

• Personal Protective Equipment

• Engineering Controls

• Spill and Leak Procedures

• Waste Disposal

• Handling Procedures and Equipment

• Storage Requirements

• Special Shipping Information

First Aid Measures

• Inhalation

• Eye Contact

• Ingestion

• Skin Contact

Additional Information

• MSDS’s Must be Readily Available

• 3 Year Expiry Date

• New Information becomes Available

MSDS Standardization

• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

• International Labour Organization (ILO)

• European Union (EU)

WHMIS II

• Proposed Modifications and/or Changes to Current WHMIS laws

• Exempt categories may be required to follow labeling and MSDS requirements, such as Consumer Products, Explosives, and Pest Control Products

• No official changes to WHMIS laws have occurred

Worker Education

• Generic

• Site Specific

• Annual Review