Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHIMIS) and Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS)

1. Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHIMIS) and Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) Lesson 5

2. WHMIS • WHMIS is the system that defines those materials that are hazardous and may pose a risk to workers based on the properties of the substance. • The system addresses properties or characteristics of a material that can present physical hazards as well as health hazards. • Controlled product means “ . . . any product, material or substance . . . included in any of the classes . . . “ • A nationwide system that provides all workers that use hazardous materials with information. • See the www.whmis.gc.ca link in order to explain the three key elements of the WHMIS system: 1. Labeling of products 2. Material Safety Data Sheets 3. Training for worker Additional information found in the Federal Hazardous Products Act and Safework Bulletin No. 145 Lesson 5 Learning Activity #5.1 Slides #1 - #5

3. WHMIS Labeling • Hazardous materials classified under WHMIS must be labelled. • Warning labels and symbols identify hazardous products, what it can do to people, and how to work safely with them. • There are six main classes of hazardous materials: compressed gases; combustible and flammable; oxidizing; poisonous and infectious; corrosive and dangerously reactive. • It is anticipated that categories will be defined as subdivisions of a class when GHS comes to Canada. Many hazardous materials present in a workplace have not been labelled in accordance with WHMIS due to exemptions that exist for suppliers or because they do not exist in supplier provided containers.  Part 35 of the regulation includes requirements for hazardous waste and for labelling materials not in containers:  For example, asbestos insulation in a mechanical room.

4. WHMISMaterial Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) • Required for controlled products used in the workplace. • Each MSDS must include: product information; reactivity data; preparation information; toxicological properties; hazardous ingredients; preventative measures; physical data; first aid measures; fire or explosion hazard. • Gives detailed information about the hazards of controlled products used in the workplace, how to use them safely, and what to do in an emergency. • Note: MSDS is a document required for more than the controlled products used, but also for fugitive emissions that contain a controlled product.  It should be clear that the MSDS includes recommendations from the supplier, not necessarily requirements.

5. WHMIS Training • The employer must provide the worker with training that teaches the worker how to read and understand WHMIS labels and MSDS • The training provided by the employer must be: • specific to the conditions of the task at the work site • is performance based • must be effectively implemented at all times.

6. Hazardous Materials • There are six main classes of hazardous materials : Class A - Compressed gas Class B - Flammable and combustible material Class C - Oxidizing material Class D - Poisonous and infectious material 1. Immediate and serious toxic effects 2. Other toxic effects 3. Bio-hazardous infectious material Class E - Corrosive material Class F - Dangerously reactive material Lesson 5 Learning Activity #5.2 Slides #6 - #10

7. Class A Compressed Gas - Pose an explosive danger because these gases are contained under pressure. May cause container to explode if heated in a fire or subjected to impact forces. • Class B Flammable and Combustible Material - Material that will burn (a potential fire hazard) or may burst into flame spontaneously, in air, or release a flammable gas on contact with water vapour. May cause a fire when exposed to heat, sparks, flames or as a result of friction. • Class C Oxidizing Material - Pose a fire and/or explosion risk in the presence of flammable or combustible material. May react violently or cause an explosion when contacting combustible materials.

8. Class D Poisonous and Infectious Material 1.Materials causing immediate and serious toxic effects - Immediate and serious toxic effects. May be a potentially fatal poisonous substance. May be fatal or cause permanent damage if inhaled or swallowed, or entering the body through skin contact. 2.Materials causing other toxic effects - A poisonous substance that may not be immediately dangerous to health. May cause death or permanent damage as a result of repeated exposures over time. May be a sensitizer (produce chemical allergies). May cause cancer, birth defects or sterility. 3.Bio-hazardous infectious material - May cause a serious disease resulting in illness or death.

9. Class ECorrosive material - Causes eye and skin tissue damage upon contact. Causes severe tissue damage with prolonged contact. May be harmful if inhaled. Class FDangerously reactive material - It is very unstable. May react with water to release a toxic 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 or decomposition.

10. WHMIS Worksheet – Answer Key Class A - Compressed gas Class D - 2 Other toxic effects Class D - 1 Immediate and serious toxic effects Class B - Flammable and combustible material Class C - Oxidizing material Class D - 3 Bio-hazardous infectious material Class F - Dangerously reactive material Class E - Corrosive material

11. MSDS Questions • Is this the right MSDS for the product I am working with? • Is the MSDS up-to-date? (updated every 3 years) • Can the product burn or explode? • Is the chemical product unstable? If yes under what conditions? • What harmful health effects are possible? • Do I need to wear personal protective equipment when handling the product? • What equipment is appropriate? • Are there special handling precautions? • Do I know what to do in case of a fire, explosion, spill or leak? • Do I know who the first aid person is in my workplace? • Do I know where the emergency response equipment is located andhow to use it? Lesson 5 Learning Activity #5.3 Slides #11 - #14