WHMIS Overview: Hazardous Materials Information System

1. WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

2. Overview

3. Unit 1 Hazardous Chemicals

4. Reasons for WHMIS • Designed after the US model called the “Right to Know” law. • Conveys knowledge of hazardous chemicals to workers who use them in their jobs. • Designed to reduce injuries and time lost due to exposure to hazardous chemicals.

5. Some Hazardous Chemicals… • Undercoats & Topcoats • Hardeners • Buffing Compounds • Cleaners • Solvents • Body fillers • Welding gases • Adhesives

6. Hazardous Materials Categories • Irritants • Corrosives • Toxins • Poisons • Carcinogens • Chemicals that cause cancer • Allergenics • Chemicals that cause an allergic reaction

7. Acute Exposure Burns Dizziness Nausea Coughing Chronic Exposure Nerve Damage Lung Scarring Overexposure Effects

8. Lung Irritants • Chemicals that affect the: • Lungs and nasal passages • Skin • Eyes

9. Upper Respiratory Irritants • Affect the nose and throat • Dissolved by water • Normally not life-threatening • Can make breathing difficult after long exposure • Found in: • Thinners, plastic cleaners, urethane reducers, body fillers, polishes, weld-through primers, sodium hydroxide powder (from airbag deployment)

10. Middle Respiratory Irritants • Cause coughing and wheezing • Partially dissolved by water • Normally not life-threatening • Can make breathing difficult after long exposure • Found in: • Thinners, plastic cleaners, urethane reducers, body fillers, polishes, weld-through primers, sodium hydroxide powder (from airbag deployment)

11. Lower Respiratory Irritants • Travel deep into the lung • Not dissolved by water • Can be life-threatening • Found in: • Adhesives, rubberized undercoatings, paints that contain isocyanates

12. Irritant Reaction • Itching • Burning • Rashes • Found in: • Epoxy repair materials, plastic bonding adhesives, undercoatings, cleaners, hardeners and reducers, body fillers

13. Corrosive Materials • Can cause skin burns and respiratory problems • Are found in many cleaning products and metal preparation materials • Are either highly acidic or highly alkaline • Examples include: • Paint strippers, prep solvents, wire wheel cleaners, sulphuric acid in batteries, oxalic acid, full-strength degreasers

14. Nervous System Effects • Dizziness • Headaches • Nausea • Blurred vision • Poor coordination

15. Nervous System Depression • Ingredients that cause central nervous system depression include: • Benzene • Toluene • Xylene • These chemicals are added as thinning agents, allowing the product to be sprayed or flow easier.

16. Toxins • Toxins can be broken down into: • Mild neurotoxins • Liver toxins • Reproductive toxins • Blood toxins

17. Mild Toxins • Mild neurotoxins cause central nervous system depression and destroy nerve endings. • The effects of this condition are similar to drinking too much alcohol. • Effects include: • Dizziness, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, poor coordination

18. Liver Toxin Exposure • Exposure to liver toxins comes from breathing vapors while:

19. Liver Toxin Chemicals • Examples include: • Toluene, xylene, butyl acetate, lead chromates, nickel compounds, methylene chloride. • Found in some: • Urethane enamels • Adhesives

20. Reproductive Toxins • May cause birth defects • Birth defects can vary from minor to severe • Materials that may contain reproductive toxins include: • Products containing toluene • Gasoline • Products containing lead compounds • Acrylic lacquers • Urethane enamels

21. Blood Toxins • Destroy or deform red blood cells • Red blood cells carry oxygen through the blood stream. Destroying or deforming red blood cells reduces the amount of oxygen being carried through the blood stream • Overexposure may cause difficult breathing or loss of consciousness • Materials that may contain blood toxins include: • Some aerosol cleaners and enamel clear coats

22. Carcinogens • Examples of carcinogenic materials include:

23. Allergens • May cause people to react to certain chemicals. • Normally do not cause a reaction when first exposed. The reaction starts with the second exposure. • Each person will have a different reaction to different materials. • Some materials contain chemicals that are more likely to cause reactions than others.

24. Examples of allergens • Acrylic sealers • Adhesives • Sealers • Epoxy resins • Clear coats • Hardeners • Activators

25. Routes of Entry • Breathing • Swallowing • Absorption through skin • Injection through skin

26. Breathing Hazardous Materials • Most common way of entering the body. • Starts when products being mixed, poured, or used, give off vapors or dust particles. • Causes them to collect in the lungs and be absorbed into the blood stream. • Can be prevented by wearing a proper respirator.

27. Respirators • Used to protect against: • Grinding and sanding dust • Undercoating and rust proofing mists • Paint sprays • Asbestos • Welding fumes • Glass fibers • Solvents

28. Types of Respirators • Dust respirators • Air-purifying respirators • Fume respirators • Vapor respirators • Combination fume and vapor respirator • Fresh-air supplied respirator

29. Dust Respirators • Generally used for dust that is non-toxic. • Should not be used for fumes or chemical vapors. • Should only be used if approved by NIOSH.

30. Air-purifying Respirators • Used when working with products that produce vapors, toxic dusts, asbestos, fumes, etc. • Consist of a filter media, activated charcoal, or a combination of both.

31. Vapor Filters • Have an absorbent material, usually activated carbon, contained in a cartridge. • Do not provide any protection from welding fumes.

32. Fume Filters • Made of layers of filter material. • Do not provide any protection from chemical vapors.

33. Combination Filters • Combine a charcoal cartridge with a particle pre-filter. • Provide protection from both chemical vapors and welding fumes.

34. Choosing the Proper Respirator • Cartridge-type filters are color coded to indicate the type of material each is designed to filter. • Black color code is designed to protect against organic vapors. • Orange color code is designed to protect against dust, fumes, and mists. • Purple color code is designed to protect against fumes generated during welding operations.

35. NIOSH Classifications • National Institute For Occupational Safety And Health • Identifies a series of 3 particulate filters: • 100-rated filters (99.97% efficiency). This filter offers similar protection to HEPA filters. • 99-rated filters (99% efficiency). • 95-rated filters (95% efficiency). • Divided in to 3 categories: • ‘N’ for non-oil resistant, ‘R’ for oil resistant, ‘P’ for oil proof.

36. Cartridge-type Respirators • Must be regularly cleaned and disinfected. • Must be properly maintained: • Check for cracks, tears, or holes before use. • Replace clogged particle filters. • Replace vapor cartridges if contaminates can be smelled or tasted. If the respirator is disposable, throw it away.

37. Effects of Welding Fumes • Welding requires wearing a welding fume respirator. • Failure to wear a respirator could result in a sickness characterized by: • Sore throat • Fever • Chills • Nausea • Headaches

38. Effects of Welding Fumes • These symptoms will usually occur within 4-8 hours of exposure and can last as long as 24 hours. • Fumes which can result in fume fever include: • Zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, copper, cadmium, chromium, and lead.

39. Effects of Welding Fumes • Long-term exposure to these fumes may cause such illnesses as: • Cancer of the kidneys, larynx, or urinary tract. • Diseases of the heart, blood, stomach, and intestines. • Skin sensitivity, hearing loss, or eye problems. • Birth defects. • Parkinson's disease

40. Fit-testing Respirators • To fit-test a respirator: • Fasten the respirator around your head and neck. Make sure the fit is snug, but not too tight. • Check the fit by covering the exhalation valve and gently exhaling. There should be a slight pressure inside the respirator without leaking at the seal. • With cartridge-type respirators, cover the cartridges with your hands and inhale gently until the respirator collapses slightly. • Hold your breath. The respirator should stay slightly collapsed and not leak from the sides.

41. Air-supplied Respirators • Must be able to supply Grade ‘D’ breathing air. • Should be worn whenever using products containing isocyanates. • Must be used when abrasive-blasting with silica sand. • Can be supplied with air from the shop compressor or an air pump.

42. Using Compressor Air • To ensure Grade ‘D’ air from a shop compressor, a 3-stage filter is generally used: • Bulk liquids and visible particles (stage 1) • Particles and liquid droplets larger than .01 microns (stage 2) • Hydrocarbons and odors from the compressed air (stage 3)

43. 3 stage filtration system • Bulk liquids and visible particles • Particles and liquid droplets • Hydrocarbons and odors CO2 Monitor

44. Full-face Coverage • Since isocyanates can enter the body through the eyes, a hood or full-face mask is recommended. Safety glasses do not offer enough protection for painters.

45. General Respirator Rules • Must be NIOSH approved. • Employees must be trained on their use. • May not be altered in any way. • Must be stored in a location that prevents deformation of the face piece and exhalation valve and protects them from: • Dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals.

46. Ingesting Hazardous Chemicals • Swallowing is the second most common way hazardous materials enter the body. • Ingestion can occur by: • Not washing before eating. • Eating or drinking in an area where hazardous materials are used. • Biting fingernails. • Touching the mouth while coughing or sneezing. • Smoking after handling hazardous materials.

47. Preventing Hazardous Ingestion • To prevent ingesting hazardous materials: • Wear gloves when handling hazardous materials. • Wash hands after any contact with hazardous materials. • Keep hands away from the face. • Eat and smoke only in designated areas.

48. Absorption Through Skin • Hazardous materials can be absorbed through the skin. Skin is porous, like a sponge.

49. Skin Cutaway

50. Absorption Through Skin • Absorption occurs by: • Skin contact, such as picking up a solvent-soaked cloth. • Washing hands with gasoline or other solvent. • Floor cleaning materials splashing into shoes. • Always wear protective equipment such as: • Gloves • Aprons • Boots