To Benefit from WHMIS, You Must Know What It Is and How the System Works

To benefit from WHMIS, you must know what it is and how the system works.

1.  WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and was designed to help students know more about safety and health hazards of materials that they use in the workplace.

2.  WHMIS gives workers and employers key safety and handling information in the form of special labels, symbols, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on potentially dangerous chemicals that are used on the job.

WHMIS Labels

All controlled products at school or the workplace must have WHMIS labels.

The purpose of a WHMIS label is to identify the product as controlled and alert workers or handlers to the hazards and safe handling procedures of the product. A WHMIS label is just a first alert, as the amount of information in it is limited by its size. The MSDS provides more detailed information.

It is important that you read the whole label before using a product for the first time. The label will give a brief summary of the most important things to know about the chemical.

This includes:

•  Name of the chemical: may be the common name, trade name, generic name, brand name, code name.

•  The WHMIS hazard symbols: hazard symbols representing the WHMIS hazard classes.

•  Risks and precautions: Short phrases describing the hazards to supplement the information provided by the symbols, and precautions to be taken when using, handling or being exposed to the product.

•  First Aid instructions: These statements indicate immediate first aid measures that can be taken by the victim or others in case of an accident or emergency.

•  Supplier’s name and address.

•  A reference to the matching MSDS stating that more information is available.

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WHMIS Symbols

CLASS A - COMPRESSED GAS:

Compressed gases are dangerous because they are under pressure. If a container of compressed gas is broken, dropped, crushed or punctured, it may torpedo, causing a safety hazard to anyone in the area. Containers of compressed gas may explode if exposed to variations in temperature or heated. A lot of compressed gas is liquefied because it is under extremely high pressure. Spills of liquefied compressed gas can cause frostbite and severe burns. Safety measures:

1. Keep the container closed tightly at all times

2. Handle the container with care; do not drop

3. Do not subject the container to variances in temperature or heat (furnaces, open flames etc.)

4. Store in areas designated by your supervisor.

CLASS B - FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL:

Division 1 - Flammable Gases

Division 2 - Flammable Liquids

Division 3 - Combustible Liquids

Division 4 - Flammable Solids

Division 5 - Flammable Aerosols

Division 6 - Reactive Flammable Materials

These materials may explode, ignite or spontaneously burst into flame. Flammable materials will ignite at normal room temperatures. Combustible materials must be heated before they will ignite.

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There are six separate divisions within this class:

1.  Flammable Gases - compressed gases that are also flammable, ie. propane

2.  Flammable Liquids - liquids with a flashpoint less than 100 degrees F

3.  Combustible liquids - liquids with a flashpoint less than 200 degrees F but more than 100 degrees F

4.  Flammable Solids - solids that cause fire through retained heat or friction from processing or that are easily

ignitable and burn violently & persistently.

5.  Flammable Aerosols - most common aerosols use flammable propellants

6.  Reactive Flammable Materials - these materials may become spontaneously combustible in air or in contact with water

Safety Measures:

1. Keep away from heat/smoking/sources of ignition

2. Keep container tightly closed

3. Avoid sparks or static discharges

4. Separate the material from other combustible and incompatible materials

5. Store the material in a cool, well-ventilated area as designated by your immediate supervisor.

CLASS C - OXIDIZING MATERIAL:

Oxidizers may release oxygen which promotes burning of flammable and combustible material. Oxygen is necessary for combustion. Any substance that increases the supply of oxygen enhances combustion and could cause otherwise safe materials to become spontaneously combustible (ie. wood). They may burn skin and eyes on contact. Most oxidizers themselves are not flammable.

Safety Measures

1.  Keep in a cool place

2.  Avoid friction or shock

3.  Keep away from combustible/flammable material and store materials in designated areas

4.  Never smoke when working near combustibles.

5.  Wear proper protective equipment including eye, face and hand protection and protective clothing.

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CLASS D - POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL

DIVISION 1 - MATERIALS CAUSING IMMEDIATE AND SERIOUS TOXIC EFFECTS

These materials are highly dangerous to health and life. Their effects may include nausea, dizziness, headaches and in severe cases, death. Their effects are immediate and usually result from a single (acute) exposure. These materials may be swallowed (ingested), absorbed or inhaled.

Safety Measures:

1.  Avoid contact with the skin and eyes

2.  Avoid inhalation of gas or vapours

3.  Handle material with extreme caution

4.  Wear proper protective equipment including eye, face and hand protection and protective clothing.

5.  Wear proper respiratory equipment and work in well ventilated areas

6.  Wash thoroughly after handling the material

7.  Store material in designated areas only

DIVISION 2 - MATERIALS CAUSING OTHER TOXIC EFFECTS

These materials are toxic but their effects result from repeated exposure to the material over long periods of time (chronic). Some examples of chronic effects are cancer, asbestosis, skin/eye irritation, etc. These materials may produce a chemical allergy or may cause cancer, birth defects or sterility. These materials may be ingested, absorbed or inhaled.

Safety Measures:

1.  Avoid skin contact

2.  Avoid inhalation of gas or vapours

3.  Wear proper protective equipment including eye, face and hand protection and protective clothing.

4.  Wear proper respiratory equipment and work in well ventilated areas

5.  Wash thoroughly after handling the material

6.  Store material in designated areas only

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DIVISION 3 - BIOHAZARDOUS INFECTIOUS MATERIAL

These are organisms that cause disease in persons and animals. They contain viruses, fungi, bacteria as well as diagnostic specimens/cultures containing or suspected of containing the organisms. These would typically be found in our work environment. You are to assume that all specimens/samples are contaminated and treat them accordingly.

Safety Measures:

1.  Keep material contained in a tightly closed container; handle only in designated areas

2.  Wear proper protective equipment including eye, face and hand protection and protective clothing.

3.  See your doctor if you feel sick

CLASS E - CORROSIVE MATERIAL

These materials may cause severe burns to the skin, eyes and the tissues of the respiratory tract. These burns usually result in irreversible tissue damage. Acids and bases are corrosive. Most are liquid but it is important to remember that some gases are also corrosive such as chlorine.

Safety Measures:

1.  Avoid skin contact

2.  Keep material contained in a tightly closed container

3.  Do not breath fumes/vapours - wear proper respirator and work in a well ventilated area

4.  Wear proper protective equipment including eye, face and hand protection and protective clothing

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CLASS F - DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE MATERIAL

This section contains a lot of different chemicals that are unstable and potentially self-reactive. Chemicals in this class have the potential to be self-reactive. They may react with water to release a poisonous gas, become self-reactive under temperature/pressure increases or shock or they might undergo vigorous polymerization, decomposition or condensation.

Safety Measures:

1.  Avoid contact with water/dampness

2.  Do not expose to heat

3.  Avoid shock and friction or temperature changes

4.  Wear appropriate personal protective equipment when handling

5.  Handle containers with extreme care-do not drop or shake chemicals

6.  Store chemicals in a cool, flame-proof area as designated by your immediate supervisor

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Master Yoda Much Learning You Have Yes!

International Hazard Symbols

•  Not all products are controlled by the WHMIS legislation, and so they may not have WHMIS labels or use the exact same symbols as WHMIS. You’ll see these other symbols on products you commonly find around the house and garden, including cosmetics (like hairsprays), pesticides, and some consumer and household products (like oven cleaners). These products use the International Hazard Symbols you see below.

•  For your safety, you should be able to recognize these symbols and understand what hazards they represent.

•  The following warning symbols used on labels are not controlled by WHMIS legislation:

DANGER / WARNING / CAUTION
Poison
Flammable
Explosive
Corrosive /


/


/

Note: The border that surrounds each symbol signifies the danger level of the hazard.

•  An octagon (same shape as a stop sign) indicates “ DANGER“ and represents the most dangerous hazard.

•  A four-sided diamond indicates “WARNING“ and represents a moderate or medium hazard level. A warning diamond does not pose as extreme a risk as the danger octagon.

•  The upside-down triangle indicates “CAUTION” and represents the slightest or least hazard of the three borders. This does not make it hazardless! Use these products with caution.

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Master Yoda Much Learning You Have Yes!