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WHMIS meets GHS: Challenges for MSDS Authors and Users

WHMIS meets GHS: Challenges for MSDS Authors and Users. OHAO March 28, 2007. What is GHS? . GLOBAL approach to defining and classifying hazards, communicating health & safety information on labels and safety data sheets. Today’s presentation:.

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WHMIS meets GHS: Challenges for MSDS Authors and Users

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  1. WHMIS meets GHS: Challenges for MSDS Authors and Users • OHAO • March 28, 2007

  2. What is GHS? • GLOBAL approach to • defining and classifying hazards, • communicating health & safety information • on labels and • safety data sheets.

  3. Today’s presentation: • Differences in approaches WHMIS/GHS classification • WHMIS MSDS vs GHS SDS • GHS and You

  4. Classification Overview • No direct translation from WHMIS to GHS. • GHS classification is more complex • All products need to be reclassified using new GHS criteria for parts chosen by Canada.

  5. Health Hazard Classes (1) • 1. Acute toxicity • 2. Skin corrosion/irritation • 3. Serious Eye Damage/eye irritation • 4. Respiratory or Skin Sensitization • 5. Germ cell mutagenicity

  6. Health Hazard Classes (2) • 6. Carcinogenicity • 7. Reproductive Toxicity • 8. Target Organ Systemic Toxicity –single exposure • 9. Aspiration hazard

  7. Environmental Hazard Classes • Not currently required by WHMIS. • 1. Hazardous to Aquatic Environment • 2. Hazardous to the Terrestrial Environment (in progress)

  8. Physical Hazard Classes (1) • 9 WHMIS classes vs 15 GHS physical classes • 1. Explosives • 2. Flammability – gases, aerosols, liquids, solids • 3. Water-activated Flammable Gases • 4. Oxidizers – liquid, solid, gases • 5. Self-reactive

  9. Physical Hazard Classes (2) • 6. Pyrophoric – liquids, solids • 7. Self-Heating • 8. Organic Peroxides • 9. Corrosive to Metals • 10. Gases under pressure

  10. WHMIS classes not in GHS • WHMIS Class D3 – biohazards • WHMIS Class F - part dealing with water-activated toxicity

  11. Classification of Mixtures • Test data • Bridging principles • Formula based on ingredients

  12. Technical challenges for classification Weight of evidence approach in GHS. Expertise required to: • find data • interpret data • use professional judgment, as required

  13. Classification challenges (2) • Reproductive toxicity • More relaxed interpretation of maternal toxicity – additional challenges for data interpretation • Carcinogen classification • GHS does not use a list-based approach

  14. Carcinogenicity classification lexicon • “Reasonable approximation” – Dr Michelle Sullivan • IARC 1 or EU 1 or NTP Known = GHS Category 1A • IARC 2A or EU 2 = GHS Cat 1B • IARC 2B or EU 3 = GHS Cat 2

  15. Classificaton challenges (3) • Finding primary data sources for physical hazards • Pyrophoric properties • Oxidizing properties • Corrosion data

  16. Classification drives Hazard Communication • Classification output: • >>Standardized Hazard pictograms • >>Standardized Signal words • >>Standardized Hazard statements

  17. Package Deal – Flammable Liquid Category 1

  18. Harmonization of Communication • Hazard Communication • Labels • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) • With GHS get consistency • content of SDS • order of the content on the SDS

  19. Safety Data Sheets • GHS SDS requirements are based on the 16-section format (ANSI, ISO standards) • Cannot reshuffle WHMIS-compliant MSDS to create GHS-compliant SDS.

  20. SDS Required • Cut- off value: 0.1% • Mutagens (Cat 1), Carcinogens, Reproductive toxins • Cut- off value: 1.0% • Mutagens (Cat 2) and all other classes.

  21. SDS format : 16 sections • 1. Identification • 2. Hazard(s) identification • 3. Composition - ingredient info • 4. First-aid measures • 5. Fire-fighting measures • 6. Accidental release • 7. Handling and storage • 8. Exposure control, PPE, exposure limits

  22. SDS format – 16 sections (2) • 9. Chemical and physical properties • 10. Stability and reactivity • 11. Toxicological information • 12. Ecological information • 13. Disposal considerations • 14. Transport information • 15. Regulatory information • 16. Other

  23. SDS Section 2: Hazard ID • Provide classification • Provide label text including: • signal word, symbol • hazard statement and • precautionary statements Disclose other non-classifiable hazards

  24. SDS Section 2 Example • Section 2. Hazard(s) Identification • Classification: Flammable liquid, Cat 2 • Labelling: Symbol:Flame • Signal word:Danger • Hazard Statement: Highly flammable liquid and vapour • Precautionary statements: Keep away from sparks, open flames. No smoking. Ground/bond ….

  25. SDS Section 3: Composition • Keep WHMIS Ingredient Disclosure List ?? • Confidential Business Information (CBI)

  26. SDS Section 4: First Aid Measures • Provide symptoms + first aid measures. • Example: • “Inhalation: Nasal irritation, headache, nausea…Remove exposed person from source of exposure to fresh air. If not breathing,….”

  27. SDS Section 5: Fire-fighting Measures • Recommend suitable and unsuitable extinguishing agents. • Special protective equipment and emergency procedures. • WHMIS sensitivity to impact, static charge not included

  28. SDS Section 9. Chemical and physical properties • In addition to those required by WHMIS, GHS requires: • Fire properties • Relative density • Solubility • Decomposition temperature

  29. SDS Section 11. Toxicological information • GHS requires: • Human health effects • Animal toxicological data

  30. SDS Section 12. Ecological Information • GHS requires: • Ecotoxicity • Persistance and degradability • Potential for bioaccumulation • Mobility in soil • Other

  31. WHMIS MSDS vs GHS SDS • 9 or 16 section WHMIS versus 16 in GHS • GHS requires: • GHS classification, symbols, labelling info • Environmental effects • Transport and regulatory sections • Both to be kept up-to-date

  32. GHS and You • Classification of chemicals/products – need expertise and data, modify software?? • Review and modify MSDSs to fit new format and information requirements for SDSs • Prepare new Labels • Management of SDSs TRAINING!!

  33. Conclusion • Huge undertaking! • Benefits of protection and trade • Need global implementation to achieve global harmonization!

  34. Information Sources • United Nations • http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_welcome_e.html • Health Canada • http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/intactiv/ghs-sgh/index_e.html • US OSHA • http://www.osha.gov • (Go to Hazard Communication button)

  35. Information Sources (2) • European Union • http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/reach/ghs_en.htm

  36. Thank you! • Questions? • Contact Cathyd@ccohs.ca • Phone 1-403-697-7946 (Calgary)

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