whmis basic training -...
TRANSCRIPT
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.
Class D - Division 2
Poisonous and
Infectious Material:
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.
Class D - Division 3
Poisonous and
Infectious Material:
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.
4. Safe Handling: PPE
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.
4. Safe Handling: PPE
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.