whmis basic training -...

WHMIS Basic Training

November 2013

RVHS

Occupational Health Centre

Copyright RVHS 2013

WHMIS has three important communication components:

1. Training and education - The employer must provide instruction on hazards and

training in safe work procedures for controlled products used in the workplace.

2. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) - Technical bulletins which provide detailed

hazard and precautionary information on controlled products.

3. Labels - Placed on hazardous materials and their containers to alert employers

and workers to the dangers of products and safety precautions.

Training Outline: 1. WHMIS Law

2. Hazard Symbols

3. Routes of Entry

4. Safe Handling: Principles of Control

5. Material Safety Data Sheets

6. Labels

7. Quiz!

WHMIS Training: Essential Components

WHMIS is short for the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information

System.

It is a Canada-wide system providing Workers and Employers the right to

know when working with or around controlled products (otherwise known

as hazardous materials or hazardous substances). It became law in 1988.

It’s required that all employees and workplace parties in all workplaces in

Canada are trained in WHMIS so that you have the necessary information

to protect your health and safety while working around and with controlled

products in the workplace.

WHMIS is not complicated. It is a simple information system that will make

your work environment a safer place for everyone.

1. WHMIS Law

The three key participants in WHMIS are the Supplier, Employer and

Worker. Here is a brief list of their overall responsibilities:

Supplier Responsibilities

Provide and apply WHMIS supplier labels on containers of controlled products

sold in Canada.

Employer Responsibilities

Educate workers about the WHMIS program and the risks in that workplace.

Provide workplace labelling and ensure products received from suppliers have

proper supplier labels before products are used in the workplace.

Ensure WHMIS Information (i.e. MSDS) is readily available in the workplace.

Worker Responsibilities

Learn and apply the information provided by employer

Follow safe job procedures

Report any problems to the supervisor

1. WHMIS Law: Responsibilities

It is up to the employee to make sure that workers understand the hazard

information and the protective information (safe handling and use) of the

products they are using or are exposed to.

Remember: WHMIS was developed for your benefit. It involves everyone's

participation and commitment towards developing a safer workplace.

In addition to this self learning guide, your supervisor will provide you with

specific training (e.g. safe work procedures) in the use of controlled

products in your area, all summarized in a departmental MSDS binder or

database, i.e. Rouge Valley Health System’s WellNet Internet Database.

1. WHMIS Law: Responsibilities

There are

eight symbols

and

six classes

(Class D

(poisons) has

three levels of

hazard (D-1,

D-2 and D-3))

2. Hazard Symbols

The term used to describe the hazardous materials that fall under the control

of WHMIS is "Controlled Product". A controlled product is any product,

material or substance that meets the criteria of one or more of the six

WHMIS hazard classes.

All controlled products will have one or more hazard symbols. These

symbols will allow you to identify the general hazards of the item at a

glance.

You will need to consult the supplier label or the MSDS for more detailed

information.

The next slides describe the various classes, description of potential

hazards and the necessary precautions.

2. Hazard Symbols: Classifications

Classification Description of Potential Hazard Precautions

Class A

Compressed Gas

Poses an explosion danger because the gas is being held in a cylinder under

pressure.

May cause its container to explode if heated in a fire.

May cause its container to explode if dropped.

Examples: oxygen, carbon dioxide, helium, propane.

Handle with care; do not drop cylinder.

Keep cylinder away from potential sources of ignition.

Store the containers in designated areas.

Class B

Flammable and

Combustible Material

Will burn and is therefore a potential fire hazard

May burn at relatively low temperatures; flammable materials catch fire at lower

temperatures than combustible materials.

May burst into flame spontaneously in air or release a flammable gas on contact

with water.

May cause a fire when exposed to heat, sparks, or flames or as a result of friction.

Examples: gasoline, acetone, butane, propane.

Keep the material away from heat sources and other combustible materials.

Never smoke when working with or near the material.

Store the material in a cool, fire-proof area.

Class C

Oxidizing Material

Poses a fire and/or explosion risk in the presence of flammable or combustible

material.

May cause fire when it comes into contact with combustible materials such as

wood.

May react violently or cause an explosion when it comes into contact with

combustible materials such as fuels.

May burn skin and eyes upon contact.

Examples: peroxide, nitric acid.

Keep the material away from combustible materials and store in designated

areas.

Keep the material away from sources of ignition.

Never smoke when working near the material

Wear proper protective equipment (PPE) including eye, face and hand

protection and protective clothing.

Class D - Division 1

Poisonous and

Infectious Material:

Causing immediate

serious and toxic

effects

Is a potentially fatal poisonous substance.

May be fatal or cause permanent damage if it is inhaled or swallowed or if it enters

the body through skin contact.

May burn eyes or skin upon contact.

Examples: carbon monoxide, sulphuric acid.

Handle with extreme caution.

Avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing PPE.

Avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas and/or wearing respiratory

equipment.

Wash and shower thoroughly after use.

Store the material in designated areas only.


Poisonous and


Causing other toxic

effects

Is a poisonous substance that is not immediately dangerous to health.

May cause death or permanent damage as a result of repeated exposures over

time.

May be a skin or eye irritant.

May be a sensitizer, which produces a chemical allergy.

May cause cancer.

May cause birth defects or sterility.

Examples: mercury, lead, benzene.

Avoid skin and eye contact by wearing all protective equipment necessary,

including eye, face, and hand protection and protective clothing.

Avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas and/or wearing respiratory

equipment.

Store the material in designated places only.


Poisonous and


Biohazardous

Infectious Material

May cause a serious disease resulting in illness or death.

Examples: bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites

Take every measure to avoid contamination.

Handle the material only when fully protected by the proper, designated

equipment.

Handle the material in designated areas where engineering controls are in

place to prevent exposures.

Class E

Corrosive Material

Causes severe eye and skin irritation upon contact.

Causes severe tissue damage with prolonged contact.

May be harmful if inhaled.

Examples: chlorine, ammonia.

Keep containers tightly closed.

Avoid skin and eye contact by wearing all necessary protective equipment,

including eye, face and hand protection and protective clothing.

Avoid inhaling by using in well-ventilated areas only and/or wearing the

proper respiratory equipment.

Class F

Dangerously

Reactive Materials

Is very unstable.

May react with water to release a toxic or flammable gas.

May explode as a result of shock, friction or increase in temperature.

May explode if heated when in a closed container.

Undergoes vigorous polymerization.

Examples: vinyl chloride.

Keep material away from heat.

Open containers carefully; do not drop them.

Store the material in a cool, flame-proof area.

Inhalation

Absorption

Ingestion

3. Routes of Entry

1. Acute effects of toxic substances occur immediately or soon after the exposure.

These are usually caused by high exposure to a substance in a short period of time.

Examples: Itchy skin, watery eyes, sore throat, etc.

2. Chronic effects are more serious effects because the symptoms are not as apparent

and the exposure is over a long period of time. Example: Cancers.

How do toxic

substances enter

the body?

There are three principles of control:

1. At the source:

Elimination of the substance or substitute with a lesser hazardous material

2. Isolation:

Another method by which the hazardous material is enclosed, i.e. secured

cabinet, pipe, room

3. Along the path:

Ventilation – adding air to reduce concentrations

Barriers - such as rubber hoses, matting, screens, physical guards, PPE, etc.

General housekeeping - tidy cabinets/shelves

4. Safe Handling: The Principles of Control

In order to be able to handle a product safely, you need to know:

What it is for

How it is intended to be used

Under what conditions or situations to use the product

Be aware of and using the proper personal protective equipment (PPE)

Both the supplier label and the MSDS have this information (on the supplier label it can most

often be found under "precautions", and in the MSDSs, look under product information" or

"preventative measures“).

The safe handling information must be on the workplace labels.

A workplace label safe handling information can include one or more of the following:

Risk phrases (i.e. flammable)

Safe handling phrases (i.e. keep away from sparks or flames)

Safe handling symbols (i.e. )

Note: We will cover MSDSs and labels in the next sections.

4. Safe Handling: What you need to know

What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

It is specialized clothing or equipment worn by employees for protection against health and safety

hazards. Personal protective equipment is designed to protect many parts of the body, i.e. eyes,

head, face, hands, feet, and ears.

Note: While “control measures” with the employee are the least effective means of control, it is still

very important to follow instructions and wear the required PPE, even if it seems it can be done

without it!

Who is required to use them?

Anyone using a controlled product, or as advised by the employer.

When should we use them?

When using a controlled product, or as advised by the employer.

Why should they be used?

To protect our health and safety.

4. Safe Handling: PPE

What are some examples of PPE that could be used in a workplace, not

just the Lifetouch workplace?

Protective Clothing

For example, protective gloves, safety boots, protective suits, aprons, hardhats, etc.

Protective clothing is used to provide a barrier between you and the chemical or its

hazardous effects. These items are made from various types of material such as

rubber, nitrile, leather or plastic to name a few.

Protective clothing is used to protect against accidental skin exposure from

splashes, spills or leaks. For example, a protective suit may be worn to keep dry

when working in a wet area or working with contaminated materials or a large spill.

Protective Eyewear

For example, splash proof goggles, face shields, safety glasses.

Wearing eye protection is intended to protect your eyes from chemical splashes or

flying particles. Safety glasses, goggles and face shields are specially made and

designed to provide the best possible protection when used properly.


Respiratory Protection

For example, masks, respirators, etc.

Dust masks are intended to provide comfort from nuisance dusts. These

masks are intended for short term use.

Half mask or full-face respirators use cartridges or filters to purify the inhaled

air. These cartridges will filter out a number of different chemicals, particles

and fumes. Fit testing and proper instruction are required to wear a half or

full face respirator.

It is preferred that engineering controls such as proper ventilation for the task

is used rather than relying on the use of respirators.

Other Controls

Following good general personal hygienic and safe work practices will also help

to avoid exposure to hazardous materials including:

Never store food in an area used for chemical storage.

Never have/eat food or drinks in an area where there are chemicals.

Wash hands frequently when working with chemicals and especially prior

to eating, drinking or smoking.


What should you do in the event of a chemical spill?

Do not attempt to clean up any chemical spill or leak unless you have been

trained to do so. Call your manager or other person in charge for assistance

so they can make a Code Brown – Spill Response announcement, if required.

All spills or leaks of chemical products must be reported to your supervisor

(bleach, cleaner, paint, other chemical or drug substance, etc.).

You must comply with any request by the Spill Response Team or manager to

evacuate the area so that they can safely deal with the spill.

Chemical products (controlled or uncontrolled) can only be brought into the

workplace by authorized managers.

5. Emergency Spill Procedures

6. MSDS

The material safety data sheet (MSDS) is a technical bulletin

which provides detailed hazard, precautionary and emergency

information on a controlled product.

The MSDS is the second element of WHMIS and is meant to

supplement the alert information provided on labels.

MSDS Availability

All MSDSs must be made available in the workplace for use by

workers, JHSCs, First Aiders and Contractors or Visitors.

The Department Manager will ensure that all MSDSs for controlled

products in the workplace are stored in an easily accessible in the

WellNet MSDS database available online at any work station.

Note: MSDS must be reviewed and updated every three (3) years, or

more often if there are changes to any of the information.

Household products that are purchased to be used in the workplace

also require MSDSs. Only Managers may authorize these products.

Remember that no scented items should be brought onto RVHS

property.

If you are unsure about the information on the MSDS sheet, please

ask your Manager or JHSC member.

The MSDS must include these nine sections. The

nine sections may be arranged in different order or

split up into more detailed sections, from

manufacturer to manufacturer.

Here is the kind of information you will find in the

different sections:

1) Product Identification and Use

Product name, identification number and use as well as

information on how to contact the supplier or

manufacturer.

2) Hazardous Ingredients

The identity of the ingredients, their concentrations and

estimates of immediate and severe health effects (acute

toxicity).

3) Physical Data

Physical description of the product.

4) Fire and Explosion Data

Information on the ability of the product to catch fire or

explode and means of fire fighting.

6. MSDS Content

5) Reactivity Data

The ability of the product to react dangerously.

6) Toxicological Properties (Health Effects)

Information on how materials enter the body and

what the short and long term health effects are.

7) Preventive Measures

Information on control measures including ventilation,

personal protective equipment (gloves, respirators,

etc.) and safe work procedures.

8) First Aid Measures

Information on immediate treatment in case of illness

or injury.

9) Preparation Information

Information on who prepared the MSDS and

when. MSDS must be reviewed and updated every

three years, or more often if there are changes to any

of the information.

Product Identifier

Risk Phrases and

Precautions

Safe Handling

Precautions

First Aid Information

Precautions

7. MSDS Labels: Supplier Labels

Bilingual

Hazard Symbols

Border

Reference to

MSDS

Supplier

Information

Supplier Labels are important because they tell you: 1. how the controlled product could harm you; and

2. how to work safely with the controlled product.

There are two kinds of WHMIS labels: Supplier Labels and Workplace Labels.

Both of these types of labels must be 1. clear (legible); 2. easy to read; and 3. prominently displayed on

the product.

If a worker finds a product with a damaged or unreadable label, it must be reported to the supervisor

immediately.

Once a substance has been decanted, a

workplace label is required, if not fully

used during a single shift/in one use.

If a controlled product is brought into the

workplace by an employee, a workplace

label is required.

The Manager is required to create a

workplace label to be placed on the

container of the product, as well as

placing the MSDS for the product in the

Workplace MSDS Database.

7. MSDS Labels: Workplace Labels

Aerosol cans that are

purchased at a retailer or

wholesaler , even if a

controlled product, do not

require workplace labels.

Product Identifier

Safe Handling

Precaution(s)

Reference to MSDS

7. MSDS Labels: Workplace Labels

Any questions?

Please take ten minutes to

complete the WHMIS quiz and

return it to your manager.

Thank you for participating in

RVHS’s WHMIS Training!

WHMIS Quiz!

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