WHMIS Basic Training

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What is WHMIS?

WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.

The WHMIS legislation applies to employers who have controlled products in the workplace.

In Ontario, WHMIS regulations are found in Regulation 860 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

WHMIS applies to all workplaces covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

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Why am I Doing this Training?

Controlled products including a fire extinguisher or a laser toner cartridge require that employers provide training to employees and that they are knowledgeable on the basics of WHMIS.

This training has been designed to ensure that workers:

Are aware Understand the hazards Use safe handling information about controlled

products that exist in the workplace Have an understanding of the risks of each specific

product they work with An annual review of WHMIS training is required by

regulation.

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Why am I Doing this Training?

An employer shall ensure that every worker who works with or in proximity to a controlled product is instructed in:

Content, purpose and significance of supplier and workplace labels;

Content, purpose and significance of Material Safety Data Sheets;

Procedures for the safe use, storage, handling and disposal of controlled products,

Such products contained or transferred in piping systems, and a process vessel;

Procedures to be followed when fugitive emissions are present;

Procedures to be followed in case of an emergency involving a controlled product; and

Any hazard information about the controlled products. S. 7.(1) Reg. 860

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How do I learn?

WHMIS is a nation-wide hazard communication system where information is to be provided to workers in three ways:

1. Labels

2. Material Safety Data Sheets

3. Training

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WHMIS Symbols

A compressed gas is a material which is a gas at normal room temperature (20 C) and pressure but is packaged as a pressured gas, dissolved gas or gas liquefied by compression or refrigeration.

The hazard from these materials, aside from their chemical nature, arises from sudden loss of integrity of the container.

Examples: Acetylene and oxygen

Class A: Compressed Gas

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WHMIS Symbols

Flammable or combustible materials will ignite and continue to burn if exposed to a flame or source of ignition.

Materials are classified as a flammable gas, flammable aerosol, flammable liquid, combustible liquid, flammable solid, or reactive flammable material.

Examples: Methane, acetone, aniline, and lithium hydride

Class B: Flammable & Combustible Materials

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WHMIS Symbols

An oxidizing material may or may not burn itself, but will release oxygen or another oxidizing substance, and thereby causes or contributes to the combustion of another material.

Examples: Ozone, chlorine, and nitrogen dioxide

Class C: Oxidizing Material

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WHMIS Symbols

These materials may be classified as toxic or very toxic based on information such as LD50 or LC50.

Examples: Styrene, hydrogen cyanide

POISIONOUS & INFECTIOUS MATERIALS

Class D1: Materials Causing Immediate & Serious Toxic Effects

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WHMIS Symbols

A pure substance or mixture that may be any one of the following: a carcinogen, teratogen, reproductive toxin, respiratory tract sensitizer, irritant or chronic toxic hazard.

Examples: Asbestos can cause cancer, or ammonia is an irritant

Class D2: Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects

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WHMIS Symbols

This classification includes any organisms and the toxins produced by these organisms that have been shown to cause disease or are believed to cause disease in either humans or animals.

Example: blood sample containing Hep B virus is a biohazardous infectious material since it may cause hepatitis in persons exposed to it

Class D3: Biohazardous Infectious Material

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WHMIS Symbols

Corrosive materials can attack (corrode) metals or cause permanent damage to human tissues such as the skin and eyes on contact. Burning, scarring, and blindness may result from skin or eye contact.

Examples: ammonia, fluorine, and hydrochloric acid are examples of corrosive substances

Class E: Corrosive Material

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WHMIS Symbols

Dangerously reactive materials may undergo vigorous polymerization, decomposition or condensation. They may react violently under conditions of shock or an increase in pressure or temperature. They may also react vigorously with water to release a toxic gas.

Examples: ozone, hydrazine, and benzoyl peroxide

Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material

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WHMIS Symbols

A hazardous material can also have multiple hazards associated with it.

Example: compressed gas and combustible and flammable material

Multiple Hazards

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WHMIS Labels

Labelling of controlled products is a basic requirement of the WHMIS system.

Labels act as a means of delivering a snapshot of information regarding the hazards associated with the material and direct the user to more detailed information on the Material Safety Data Sheet. (MSDS).

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WHMIS Labels

Suppliers must affix a label to containers of controlled products they supply. This label contains very detailed information on the product.

Supplier Labels

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WHMIS Labels

These are required for chemicals used in the workplace (other than in the laboratory) that are not in their original supplier-labelled containers. This label does not need as much information as the supplier label.

The following things are necessary: material identifier or product name reference to a material safety data sheet precautionary measures first aid measures

Workplace Labels - General

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Example of WHMIS Labels

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Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide information on the hazardous ingredients, properties and potential hazards of a product.

It is important reference material that explains how to use the product safely and what to do in case of an emergency.

MSDS must be present, current and readily available for all hazardous materials within the Foundation.

 

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MSDS (continued)

The supplier is responsible for sending a MSDS with or prior to the shipment of each controlled product. They must review and update the MSDS when the information changes or every three years.

Suppliers

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Example of an MSDS

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MSDS – Employers Responsibility

The employer must obtain a material safety data sheet for each controlled product or hazardous material used in the workplace.

The MSDS must be updated within 90 days of new information becoming available or every three years.

The MSDS must be available to all workers and to the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee.

It is the responsibility of the supervisor of each area to ensure that the appropriate MSDSs are readily available.

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MSDS

1. Product Information Material name should match what is on the

container

2. Physical Data Includes boiling point, solubility in water,

evaporation rate, etc. This information will help you predict reactivity

so you can select appropriate ventilation and safety response equipment.

MSDS must have the following nine pieces of information:

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MSDS

3. Reactivity Data Guide for knowing what appropriate storage is

and handling for type of material. Provides information on what is most hazardous when other materials combine with the material covered by the MSDS.

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MSDS

4. Preventative Measures Provides methods to reduce exposure to the

hazardous material. Particular methods may include protective equipment (gloves, aprons, safety glasses), and/or ventilation, etc. Storage and handling precautions, handling of spills and waste disposal are also included in this section.

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MSDS

5. Preparation Information Date of preparation is provided by the creator

of the MSDS.

6. Hazardous Ingredients Lists individual chemicals in the product and

percentage of concentration relative to the product. Exposure limits are also included in this section.

7.  Fire and Explosion Data Indicates flammability and what type of fire

extinguishers are required.

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MSDS

8. Toxicological Properties Describes all routes of entry for the material.

Acute and chronic health effects must be stated, as well as if the material is carcinogenic.

9. First Aid Measures Indicates what to do in case bodily contact is

made with the chemical through the routes of entry. These are immediate actions to take. Professional medical treatment should still be obtained as soon as possible. You should know the first aid measures before working with the material.

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MSDS

MSDS sheets are to be updated and current for three years from the published data and/or 90 days if the product has been modified.

An MSDS is compliant only if there are the necessary nine sections of information.

Now what?

Now that you’ve learned all this new stuff, it’s time to test your knowledge! Review the slides if you need to brush up on anything and copy and paste the URL below into your browser to start the quiz:

http://www.onlinequizcreator.com/en/whims-training/exam-2704

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