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Ryerson University Faculty of Engineering, Architecture, and Science

WHMIS Awareness An Introduction for first-year students

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

Information compiled from Health Canada’s website Prepared by: Eric Ambroise, EH&S Advisor, FEAS 8/31/2011

What is WHMIS? Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's national hazard communication standard. The key elements of the program are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS "controlled products", material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education and training programs. The objective of WHMIS is to ensure the protection of Canadian workers from the adverse effects of hazardous materials through the provision of applicable health and safety information. •

WHMIS is implemented through coordinated federal, provincial and territorial legislation. Supplier labelling and MSDS requirements in respect of sale and importation of controlled products are set out under the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and associated Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) administered by Health Canada.

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There are several million chemical products available to the Canadian market which would be subject to WHMIS requirements if sold, imported or used in Canada. Imports account for approximately 50% of the Canadian market. Almost all workers who work in other than an office environment, (estimated to be over 3 million Canadians), are exposed every day to chemicals on the job.

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The nature of the market and scope of WHMIS present a great challenge in ensuring compliance with the regulatory requirements and achieving the goals of the program in terms of worker health and safety.

As a worker, you have the right to know about the hazards of chemicals used in your workplace. To support your right to know, laws across Canada require chemical suppliers and your employer to provide you with information about hazardous products and how to protect yourself. WHMIS applies to products specifically for use in workplaces. Labels Controlled products from Canadian suppliers display a WHMIS label like the one shown below. In addition to the hazard symbols, a WHMIS supplier label identifies the product and lists hazards, precautions, and first aid measures. Additional information is provided on the MSDS. Workplace labels are required on portable containers in the workplace.

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Hazard Classes/Symbols Hazard symbols appear on product containers as a visual alert. Products are classified by the supplier to identify hazardous properties such as toxicity, flammability and reactivity. A product that has hazardous properties is called a controlled product, and one or more WHMIS symbols must appear on the product label. These eight symbols alert you immediately to a product's potential hazards. Material Safety Data Sheet Material Safety Data Sheets are provided by the supplier to give users detailed information about the hazards and safe use of products. Before using any product for the first time review the MSDS for information on health effects, fire hazards, handling, storage, and personal protection. An MSDS is a starting point in developing safe handling practices and procedures for a product. It is not a complete source of health and safety information on its own. Always refer to your company's safety rules and detailed procedures for more information. MSDS’ can be obtained online (on supplier’s website, e.g. Sigma-Aldrich) and also can be found within the shipping container, when purchasing a controlled product. Search databases, like www.ccohs.ca, are also a good source for obtaining MSDS. Education and Training If you work with, or may be exposed to, hazardous materials at your workplace, you must be trained. WHMIS training has two aspects: 1. Education -understanding the principles of WHMIS, and the meaning of the information on labels and MSDSs, and 2. Training - workplace--specific training on how to apply this information to materials in actual use at your workplace includes: procedures for storage, handling, disposal, and personal protection. The employer is responsible to ensure that workers have been appropriately trained. 3

WHMIS - A shared responsibility where:

Suppliers:

who manufacture, import, distribute, repackage or sell controlled products pursuant to the

federal Hazardous Products Act and Controlled Products Regulations: • • •

determine which of their products are "controlled products" assess applicable health and safety information transmit/obtain or prepare the material safety data sheet and apply the label as a condition of sale/importation

Employers: who purchase, use, deploy, manufacture or dispose of controlled products pursuant to federal, provincial and territorial WHMIS occupational health and safety legislation: • •

ensure that all controlled products on site are properly labelled and up-to-date MSDSs are readily available to workers provide WHMIS worker education and training and apply appropriate workplace control measures to ensure the health and safety of workers

Workers: • • •

participate in the education and training program on controlled products take necessary steps to protect themselves and their coworkers participate in identifying and eliminating risks

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Classes of WHMIS Controlled Products CLASS A - Compressed Gas

CLASS B - Flammable and Combustible Material • • • • • •

Division 1: Flammable Gases Division 2: Flammable Liquids Division 3: Combustible Liquids Division 4: Flammable Solids Division 5: Flammable Aerosols Division 6: Reactive Flammable Materials

CLASS C - Oxidizing Material

CLASS D - Poisonous and Infectious Material •

Division 1: Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects o Subdivision A: Very Toxic Material o Subdivision B: Toxic Material

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Division 2: Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects o Subdivision A: Very Toxic Material o Subdivision B: Toxic Material

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Division 3: Biohazardous Infectious Material

CLASS E - Corrosive Material

CLASS F - Dangerously Reactive Material

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Hazard Specific

Class A: Compressed Gas A compressed gas is a substance that is a gas at normal room temperature and pressure, and is contained under pressure, usually in a cylinder. Some compressed gases (e.g. acetylene) are stabilized in the cylinder by dissolving the gas in a liquid or solid matrix. Common compressed gases are: propane, nitrogen, chlorine, helium, and oxygen. Hazards of Compressed Gases Sudden, uncontrolled release of cylinder contents - damaged cylinders can rocket or spin out of control causing significant injury and damage. Knocking over uncapped cylinder breaking the cylinder valve can cause this type of incident. Suffocation - a compressed gas cylinder contains a huge volume of the chemical. For example, a litre of liquid nitrogen forms 700 litres of nitrogen gas at room temperature. A leak in a confined area could displace air and cause people to suffocate. Frostbite - gases escaping from a cylinder may be very cold and cause frostbite. Severe frostbite can lead to serious permanent skin damage.

CLASS B: Flammable and Combustible Material A flammable gas is a compressed gas that can easily catch fire and continue to burn. The gas can easily form a flammable mixture with air. A flammable gas is a compressed gas that can easily catch fire and continue to burn. The gas can easily form a flammable mixture with air. Flammable liquids give off vapour that can easily be ignited at normal working temperatures. A combustible liquid does not catch fire as easily as a flammable liquid. Under WHMIS, a flammable liquid has a flash point less than 37.8 °C (100 °F). A combustible liquid has a flash point, above normal working temperature, from 37.8 to 93.3 °C (100 to 200 °F). Flash Point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid "burns". At the flash point, the liquid gives off enough vapour to form a flammable air-vapour mixture near its surface. Common combustible liquids are: diesel fuel, and kerosene. Common flammable liquids are: gasoline, turpentine, and acetone.

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CLASS C - Oxidizing Material Oxidizing materials are chemicals that can decompose readily to yield oxygen or an oxidizing substance. The usual source of oxygen for burning is air. Oxidizing materials can supply combustible substances with oxygen and support a fire even when air is not present. Some oxidizing materials are themselves combustible. Oxidizing materials can: • • •

speed up the development of a fire and make it burn more intensely, cause substances to burn rapidly that do not normally burn readily in air, and cause combustible materials to burn spontaneously without the presence of an ignition source such as a spark or flame.

Common oxidizing materials are: ozone, nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid, perchloric acid and peroxides.

CLASS D - Poisonous and Infectious Material Division 1: Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects WHMIS Division D1 includes materials commonly thought of as "poisons ". These materials can cause death from a single dose or a brief exposure. Substances are classified as Very Toxic or Toxic using information from acute lethality tests involving inhalation, skin application, or ingestion by laboratory animals. Many chemicals have different toxicity by the different routes of exposure. Very Toxic and Toxic Materials cause serious health effects by damaging critical body systems. These systems include the lungs (chlorine, phosgene), nervous system (organophos- phates), oxygen transport in the blood (carbon monoxide), and kidneys (phenol). The harmful effect may develop during exposure, or may be delayed. For example, the signs and symptoms of lung injury may not appear until 24-48 hours after exposure. Examples of Very Toxic Materials include: toluene diisocyanate, carbon monoxide, chlorine, and hydrogen sulfide. Examples of Toxic Materials include: methylene chloride and methanol. Division 2: Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects Carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens and reproductive toxins are regarded as especially hazardous because they can cause very serious health problems (e.g. cancer, birth defects, sterility and genetic mutations) in workers and/or their children, and because there may be no early warning signs of the harmful, and possibly irreversible, effects that may occur long after exposure. Carcinogens are identified by their ability to cause cancer in exposed workers, other human populations, or in test animals. Many occupational cancers have a long latency period, meaning that cancer may

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develop 10 -20 years or longer after exposure to the carcinogen. Examples of carcinogens are asbestos, benzene, vinyl chloride and carbon tetrachloride. Mutagens can cause changes (mutations) in the genetic material (DNA) of cells from people or test animals, which may result in disease or abnormalities in future generations. In WHMIS, mutagens are classified as VERY TOXIC if they are shown to affect cells of the reproductive system (sperm and egg cells - the cells from which children develop). Mutagens are classified as TOXIC if studies show genetic changes only in cells (e.g.skin or lung cells) that are not part of the reproductive system. Teratogens and embryotoxins can cause birth defects, abnormalities, developmental delays, or death in animal offspring in the absence of significant harmful effect on the mother. These materials are usually identified using test animals and may cause similar effects in humans. Sensitizers are materials that can cause severe skin and/or respiratory responses in a sensitized worker after exposure to a very small amount of the material. Sensitization develops over time. When a worker is first exposed to a sensitizer, there may be no obvious reaction. However, future exposures can lead to increasingly severe reactions in sensitized workers. Not all exposed workers will react to sensitizing materials. Some workers will never become sensitized. Skin sensitizers can cause an allergic reaction, with redness, rash, itching, swelling or blisters at the point of contact or elsewhere in the body. Respiratory sensitizers can at first cause symptoms similar to a cold or mild hay fever. However, eventually severe asthmatic symptoms can develop in sensitized workers, including wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and/or coughing. A severe attack can cause death. A workplace material is classified as a respiratory sensitizer only if it has caused sensitization reactions in a significant number of exposed workers. Skin sensitizers are classified using animal tests or human experience. Common occupational skin sensitizers are formaldehyde, methyl methacrylate and toluene diisocyanate. Common occupational respiratory sensitizers are toluene diisocyanate, maleic anhydride, and latex.

CLASS E - Corrosive Material Corrosive materials such as strong acids and strong bases can attack (corrode) some metal containers. The containers become weak and eventually leak or collapse, spilling the contents into the workplace. Corrosives can also damage metal equipment and building components which may lead to injuries and collapse of structures. Corrosive materials can "burn " or destroy human tissues ((e.g., skin and eyes) on contact and cause permanent scarring, blindness, lung injury, and even death in the case of severe exposures. Common acids include are hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid. 8

Common bases include are sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and ammonia.

CLASS F - Dangerously Reactive Material Dangerously Reactive Materials are unstable or highly reactive materials that can undergo extremely hazardous uncontrolled reactions. They can cause explosions, fires or extreme heating, with potential for significant personal injury and property damage. These materials are not commonly used in workplaces because of their hazards. When used, they must be handled and stored in stringently controlled conditions. Specialized training and supervision is required. Dangerously Reactive Materials can undergo various reactions including: • • • •

Decomposition - an unstable chemical breaks apart into simpler chemicals, e.g. nitroglycerin Polymerization - a chemical reaction in which many small molecules (monomers) join together to form a large chainlike molecule (polymer), e.g. acrylonitrile, acrylates Reaction with water to release a toxic gas, e.g. chlorosulfuric acid Self-reaction when shocked or heated, e.g. metal azides in automobile airbags

In many cases the dangerous reaction can be controlled by adding a stabilizer or inhibitor. This is a chemical that is added in small amounts to the material to slow down or prevent an unwanted reaction such as polymerization. Many dangerously reactive materials are also highly reactive with many other incompatible materials.

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Routes of Workplace Exposure There are four main routes of exposure by which chemicals can contact and/or enter our bodies. Many chemicals can cause direct effects at the point of contact, such as irritation of the skin, eyes, mouth or nose. Some chemicals can also be absorbed into the body and cause harmful effects on other body systems like the blood, liver or nervous system. Some chemicals are not harmful by any route of exposure, while others are harmful by some or all of the routes of exposure. 1. Inhalation (Breathing) - Chemicals in the air can be inhaled into the body through the mouth or nose. In the workplace airborne chemicals may occur in different forms such as gases, vapours, dusts or mists. 2. Skin Contact -Many chemicals can cause direct effects at the point of contact with the skin. Some chemicals can be absorbed into the body through the skin. 3. Eye Contact - Chemicals can also come in contact with the eyes as dusts, mists, gases, vapours, or when liquids are splashed. Some chemicals can be absorbed through the eyes causing harmful effects elsewhere in the body. 4. Ingestion (Swallowing) - Chemicals can be ingested through the mouth. In workplaces, ingestion can result from hand-to-mouth contact, consuming contaminated food or drink, or smoking cigarettes that have come into contact with chemical or unclean hands. Sometimes workplace chemicals are accidentally swallowed. In some workplaces, like hospitals or veterinary clinics, injection is also a possible route of exposure. Biological or chemical substances can be injected into the body by accidentally puncturing the skin with a contaminated needle or other sharp device.

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Labels

Supplier Labels The product label is your first source of information about the hazards of a product and how to protect yourself. Controlled (hazardous) products from suppliers must display a WHMIS label with a hatched border and the following seven categories of information. However, the design and the format of the supplier label do not have to follow a specific design. When reading a supplier label, look for consistency between the information elements. Do the hazard symbols match the risk phrases, and the information on the MSDS? Are the precautions and first aid measures consistent with the hazards? If you have questions, contact the supplier. Supplier labels must be bilingual (English/French), easy to read, and durable. If the label is lost, damaged, or no longer readable, the product must be relabelled.

1. Product Identifier The product name exactly as it appears on the container and on the Material Safety Data Sheet

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2. Supplier Identifier The company, which made or packaged the product, is responsible for the label and MSDS information. Contact the supplier for additional information on the product. 3. Hazard Symbols One or more WHMIS symbols, depending on the WHMIS classification of the product 4. Risk Phrases Brief statements of major hazards, based on the WHMIS classification of the product 5. Precautionary Measures Brief descriptions of essential precautions, specific protective equipment, and emergency measures 6. First Aid Measures Immediate steps to be taken by trained first aiders at the scene of an incident 7. MSDS Reference Labels provide key information to alert you about critical hazards, precautions and first aid measures. The MSDS contains much more information on the safe use of the product. Always read the MSDS before working with a hazardous product. Special Provisions • •

Controlled products may be imported without a supplier label. The importer or purchaser must provide the required label information. Certain categories of controlled products (containers under 100 mL, laboratory products, and laboratory samples) may legally show less (or a variation from the) information than indicated above.

Always read the MSDS before working with a hazardous product.

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Workplace labels All containers of hazardous materials (controlled products) in the workplace must be labelled. This supports the workers' right to know about hazards to their health or safety at work. Employers and workers both have legal responsibilities to help ensure that labels remain attached as required and that label information is understood. Employer's Responsibilities • • •

ENSURE that products are labelled as required with supplier labels, workplace labels. PROVIDE training so that workers understand information on labels. PROVIDE training on the specific identification system for hazardous materials used in the workplace.

Where WHMIS Workplace Labels are required: • • •

A controlled product is delivered to the workplace in bulk and a supplier label is not available. A controlled product is transferred to a smaller portable container for use in the workplace. The supplier label on a contain...