WHMIS

Employer Responsibilities (4 things)

-Ensure that current MSDS's are received and maintained in the workplace before allowing workers to handle WHMIS products -Ensure that MSDS's are readily available at the worksite -Ensure that no MSDS is more than three years old -Ensure that the MSDS is in the language spoken within the workplace

Supplier Responsibilities (3 things)

-Provide an accurate and complete MSDS for each product -Provide an MSDS in both official languages in Canada -Provide an MSDS that is current (not more than three years old)

After a product has been classified, WHMIS provides communication of health and safety information with:

-WHMIS Symbols -WHMIS Labels -Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

7 things required on a WHMIS Supplier label

1. Product identifier 2. Risk phrase(s) 3. Precautionary statement(s) 4. First aid measures 5. Hazard symbol(s) 6. Reference to material safety data sheet 7. Supplier identifier (Has distinct hatched border)

Material Safety Data Sheet

A document that provides specific hazard information, safe handling information and emergency procedures for a WHMIS product. It requires 54 items of information in 9 sections on the MSDS. If information for any of the 54 items is not available or not applicable, then the MSDS must clearly indicate that fact. No section of MSDS can be left blank.

Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Material Division 3: Biohazardous Infectious Material

These materials contain harmful micro-organisms that have been classified inot Risk Groups 2, 3, and 4 as determined by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Medical Research Council of Canada. Examples: cultures or diagnostic specimens containing salmonella bacteria or the hepatitis B virus, sharps containers

Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material

These products may self-react dangerously (for example, they may explode) upon standing or when exposed to physical shock or to increased pressure or temperature, or they emit toxic gases when exposed to water. Examples: plastic monomers such as butadiene; some cyanides.

Class A: Compressed Gas

This class includes compressed gases, dissolved gases, and gases liquefied by compression or refrigeration. If the pressure in the container is greater than 40 psi, the gas is a Class A product. The cylinder may explode if exposed to heat or to physical shock (when dropped). Examples: oxygen and acetylene in cylinders for welding; propane

Physical Data

This section contains general information on physical and chemical properties such as gravity, boiling point and evaporation rate.

Product Information

This section identified the product, the manufacturer, the supplier and the intended product use. It also provides manufacturer contact information.

Toxicological Properties

This section identifies how the substance enters the body and the possible health effects from single or repeated exposures. It also identifies if the product has long-term health effects.

Preventative Measures

This section includes information on required protective equipment as well as how to safely clean up spills. It also includes information on how to handle, store, transport and dispose of the product.

Fire and Explosion Hazard

This section lists the conditions under which the product may catch fire or explode as well as information for developing strategies and procedures to deal with fire and explosion hazards.

Preparation Information

This section lists the date the MSDS was prepared and who prepared it.

Hazardous Ingredients

This section lists the specific chemical names, percentages and acute toxicity data for the product components.

What is WHMIS?

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System -Provides information about hazardous materials that may be used within the workplace.

The MSDS must be accessible to workers at ________. They may be stored in a ____ or _____ or they may be accessible _____.

all times, binder, folder, online

Worker Responsibilities (5 things)

-Understand how WHMIS works -Understand the WHMIS symbols -Understand the hazards of WHMIS products -Adhere to safe handling procedures -Know where to locate the MSDS for a WHMIS product in the workplace

The 9 sections of a MSDS are:

1. Product Information 2. Hazardous Ingredients 3. Physical Data 4. Fire and Explosion Hazard 5. Reactivity Data 6. Toxicological Properties 7. Preventative Measures 8. First Aid Measures 9. Preparation Information

3 things required on a workplace label

1. Product identifier 2. Safe handling information 3. Reference to material safety data sheet (Does not have distinct hatched border)

Location of our MSDS

Stored in a MSDS Binder, located on the shelves in between the community and hospital lab benches, beside the Narcotic and Controlled Drug cabinet.

Two types of labels that are required by WHMIS:

Supplier Labels and Workplace Labels

Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Material Division 1: Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects

These materials can cause death or immediate injury when a person is exposed to small amounts. Examples: sodium cyanide, hydrogen sulphide

Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Material Division 2: Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects

These materials can cause life-threatening and serious long-term health problems as well as less severe but immediate reactions in a person who is repeatedly exposed to small amounts. Health problems include immediate skin or eye irritation, allergic sensitization, cancer, serious impairment of specific body organs and systems, and reproductive problems. Examples: xylene, asbestos, isocyanates

Class C: Oxidizing Material

These materials increase the risk of fire if they come in contact with flammable or combustible materials. Examples: perchloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, permanganates, compressed oxygen

Class E: Corrosive Material

This class includes caustic and acid materials that can destroy the skin or eat through metals. Examples: sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid

Class B: Flammable and Combustible Material

This class includes solids, liquids, and gases capable of catching fire in the presence of a spark or open flame under normal working conditions. Examples: white phosphorous, acetone and butane

Reactivity Data

This section lists conditions and other substances that should be avoided to prevent dangerous reactions.

First Aid Measures

This section lists specific instructions for the immediate treatment of a work who has inhaled or swallowed the product or who has had skin or eye contact with the product.