Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System (WHMIS) Policy
Appendix B – WHMIS Training Standard
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (O. Reg 860), requires employers to ensure that workers who work with or in proximity to a controlled product are informed about all hazard information received from the supplier and all other hazard information of which the employer is or ought to be aware concerning the use, storage and handling of the controlled product.
The regulation also requires employers to ensure that every worker who works with or in proximity to a controlled product is instructed in:
· The contents required on a supplier label and workplace label, and the purpose and significance of the information contained on the labels;
· The contents required on a material safety data sheet and the purpose and significance of the information contained on a material safety data sheet;
· Procedures for the safe use, storage, handling and disposal of a controlled product;
· Procedures for the safe use, storage, handling and disposal of a controlled product when it is contained or transferred in,
· A pipe,
· A piping system including valves,
· A process vessel,
· A reaction vessel, or
· A tank car, a tank truck, an ore car, a conveyor belt or similar conveyance;
· Procedures to be followed when fugitive emissions are present, and
· Procedures to be followed in case of an emergency involving a controlled product.
Generic Training Standards
Generic WHMIS training shall cover the following minimum topics:
Background and Legislation
· The meaning of WHMIS
· The 3 primary purposes of WHMIS
· The 3 primary components of WHMIS
Information Delivery
· Detailed explanation of the 8 material classifications including their symbols
· The contents required on a supplier label and the significance of that information
· When workplace labels are required
· The contents required on workplace label and the significance of that information
· The content required on laboratory labels and the significance of that information (for City operated laboratories only)
· Other identification systems (e.g. pipes)
· What a material safety data sheet is and the requirements to update them and make them available to workers
· An overview of the 9 mandatory categories on a MSDS
· A detailed review of the sub-categories on a MSDS including the significance of that information
Occupational Health
· An overview of common terms including acute, chronic, local, systemic, latency, synergistic, carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen and sensitizer; including examples where appropriate
· Routes of entry and exit
Hazard Control
· Requirements of any control measure
· Location of controls
· Engineering controls
· Administrative controls
· Hygiene facilities
· Personal protective equipment
· Types of emergency planning
Evaluation
An evaluation must be conducted to ensure the employee understands the material covered in the course. Assistance will be provided to address gaps identified through this evaluation until the employee understands course content and successfully completes the evaluation.
Note: A generic power point presentation including participant workbook, sample MSDS, glossary of terms, copy of the WHMIS regulation and a test is available to Human Resources Health & Safety staff on HR Backstage. The material is available to others by contacting Evelyn Lao, Program Assistant, Occupational Health, Safety and Workers’ Compensation Unit at or 392-3919.
Product-Specific Training Standards
Employees shall be given product-specific training for all[1] products they may work with or be exposed to. Product-specific training shall cover the following minimum topics:
· What hazardous products are used at the workplace
· The location of material safety data sheets (they must be readily accessible to employees at all times)
· The system of workplace labels used at the workplace
· The location of emergency equipment (i.e.: fire extinguishers, first aid kits, eye wash stations, deluge showers, etc)
· The hazards of all products the employee may be exposed to including:
· Toxicological properties including routes of entry, acute and chronic health effects
· Relevant hazardous ingredients
· Relevant fire and explosion information
· Relevant physical data
· Relevant reactivity data
· Specific first aid measures in the event of exposure
· Specific procedures for the use, storage and handling of the product(s)
· Specific emergency procedures including spills
· Required personal protective equipment
[1] It may not be necessary to provide training on every product in the workplace. Training may be conducted on groups or families of chemicals with similar properties/hazards.