WHMIS. Students will become familiar with WHMIS and its implications in the workplace.

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1 WHMIS OBJECTIVES GENERAL OBJECTIVE: Students will become familiar with WHMIS and its implications in the workplace. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES The students will be able to: 1.1 write the meaning of WHMIS and MSDS, 1.2 state the purposes of WHMIS and MSDS, 1.3 list the three major elements of WHMIS. 2.1 state the rights of workers, 2.2 state the responsibilities of employers. 3.1 define the following terms: controlled product, inventory, hazardous waste, fugitive emission, classification, flammable, toxic and label. 4.1 identify the various hazard symbols, 4.2 match hazard symbols with appropriate classes/divisions. 5.1 list the two different labels with respect to WHMIS, 5.2 identify the main components on a given supplier label. 6.1 list the main categories of MSDS. 7.1 list the inventory requirements in Manitoba. INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION OF WHMIS During the last few decades, many workers and unions have become more aware of the health hazards in the workplace, and as a result, have demanded a safer work environment. Scientific studies have shown that exposure to hazardous materials have caused or contributed to a variety of health effects such as irritation, burns, sensitization, heart ailments, kidney damage, lung damage and cancer. It is estimated that one in four Canadian workers is exposed to chemical or hazards on the job.

2 Due to the seriousness of these safety and health problems and the lack of information available to employers and employees, the federal provincial territorial governments agreed to implement WHMIS. WHMIS ITS MEANING AND PURPOSE What is meant by WHMIS? WHMIS is an abbreviation for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. WHAT IS WHMIS? WHMIS is a national system and will be implemented across Canada by means of complementary federal and provincial legislation. The following acts or legislation form the background for WHMIS (1) The Federal Hazardous Products Act This act requires supplies of hazardous materials to provide adequate labels and MSDS s (material safety data sheet) as a condition of sale and importation. (2) The Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) These regulations specify the form and content of supplier labels, the MSDS and content of supplier labels, the MSDS and conditions of exemption. (3) The Ingredient Disclosure List This list contains the names of chemicals which must be identified on MSDS if they are present in hazardous products above a specified concentration. (4) Federal and Provincial Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Legislation This legislation requires employers to provide labels, MSDS and worker education programs in the workplace. (5) The Hazardous Materials Information Review Act The review act establishes a commission to rule on claims and appeals related to exemptions from disclosure of confidential business information. PURPOSE OF WHMIS The main purpose of WHMIS is to ensure that all employers obtain the information that they need to inform and train their employees properly about hazardous materials used in their workplace. (Hazardous materials are referred to as controlled products ).

3 WHMIS CONSISTS OF 3 MAJOR ELEMENTS: 1. A labeling system to ensure that controlled products are labeled when they arrive at a workplace and when in storage at the workplace. 2. A system to ensure that Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) which outline the hazards of a product as well as the safety precautions which apply are available and accessible in the workplace. 3. Training requirements for the workplace to ensure that workers know what they are working with, the hazards involved and appropriate safe working practices. WORKERS RIGHT TO KNOW Workers have a right to know what the hazards are in the workplace, and secondly, what needs to be done to control them. Existing occupational safety and health legislation in Manitoba and in Canada requires that workers be informed about the risks they may encounter on the job. The employers must ensure that a worker who is potentially exposed to a controlled (hazardous) product, knows, or is readily able to find out about all health and safety information provided by the supplier of that product, and about any other hazard information on that product, of which the employer is aware or ought to be aware. In the case of a controlled product that is produced in the workplace rather than being purchased from an outside supplier, the employer must ensure that a potentially exposed worker knows, or is readily able to find out about all hazard information on that product, of which the employer is aware or ought to be aware. UNDER WHMIS LEGISLATION, EMPLOYERS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES AND THESE INCLUDE: 1. Use of labels and other forms of warning in the workplace. 2. Use of MSDS (material safety data sheets). 3. Employee education and training. 4. Hazard identification and ingredient disclosure. 5. Inventories. 1. Use of Labels and Other Forms of Warning in the Workplace. Employers must ensure that supplier-provided containers of controlled products are labeled with WHMIS supplier labels. As long as a controlled product remains in its supplier-provided container, the supplier label must remain attached to the container and be legible.

4 For workplace processes, employers are required to furnish some form or workplace warnings such as labels, tags or markings. Although there is no specified format for workplace labeling and other forms of hazard warnings, information on the safe handling, storage and use of the controlled product and a product identifier (e.g., brand name, or the chemical name of the product) must be provided. Reference must also be made to the availability of a material safety data sheet. Where a controlled product at the workplace is contained in a pipe, a piping system including valves, a process or reaction vessel, a tank car or tan truck, ore car, conveyor belt or similar conveyance, the employer must ensure that the content is clearly identified to workers through appropriate means and through worker education. 2. Use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Employers are responsible for obtaining from suppliers an MSDS for each controlled product used in their workplace. The employer may also develop an MSDS to use at the workplace in place of a supplier MSDS, providing that the employer MSDS contains at least the same content found on the supplier MSDS and indicated that a supplier MSDS is available. MSDSs are to be updated at least every three years or as soon as further information related to the hazard becomes available for a material. As an important source of detailed information on controlled products, supplier and employer MSDS for controlled products are to be readily accessible to employees at each work site and supplied or made accessible to safety and health committees or representatives. 3. Employee Education and Training Besides disclosing to workers hazard information on controlled products, employers are to ensure that instruction is provided for employers who handle, are exposed to, or are likely to handle or be exposed to hazardous materials. This should result in the employees becoming more aware of and better able to apply hazard information to ensure their safety and health. The employee education program should include: a) Instructions with respect to the product identifier. b) Instruction on the content required on the supplier and workplace label and the purpose and significance of the information contained on the label. c) Instruction on the content required on an MSDS and the purpose and significance of the information contained on an MSDS. d) Procedures for the safe handling, use, storage, cleanup and disposal of a controlled product, including information related to the disposal of a controlled product contained or transported in piping systems and vessels. e) Procedures to be followed in the case of an emergency involving a controlled product.

5 4. Hazard Identification and Ingredient Disclosure Employers are responsible for evaluating those products produced in a workplace process using the hazard criteria identified in the Controlled Products Regulations. 5. Inventories There is no specific requirement for employers to prepare and maintain formal inventories of controlled products under WHMIS legislation, but there is under Manitoba Workplace Health Hazard Regulation. That regulation requires that an inventory be prepared for all controlled products that are; produced, used, stored, handled or disposed of in a workplace. This includes fugitive emissions and hazardous waste. CLASSIFICATION DEFINITION OF A CONTROLLED PRODUCT A product is a controlled product only as defined by the Hazardous Products Act and its Controlled Products Regulation which is referenced in Manitoba s WHMIS regulation. The legislation does not provide a list of what constitute controlled products. What it does is establishes classes of chemicals, together with criteria for each class. A CHEMICAL PRODUCT IS A CONTROLLED PRODUCT IF IT MEETS ANY OF THESE CRITERIA. It is important to note here that, in the case of mixtures, for which test data is not available, the definition also applies if any of its ingredients meets certain of the criteria. The primary responsibility for determining whether or not a product is a controlled product rests with suppliers. Employers would be wise to assume that all chemical products in their workplace are controlled products unless the supplier confirms that they are not. Controlled products, according to the Federal WHMIS classification, are grouped into 6 classes (Class A, B, C, D, E and F). Some of these classes are further divided into divisions. For example, Class B has 6 divisions while Class D has 3 divisions. Divisions within Class B are determined primarily on the basis of the phase and form of the material, its degree of flammability and whether or not the product reacts with air or water in a manner that increases the flammability hazard.

6 CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA Several criteria are used in the classification of controlled products into the 6 classes. They are: (a) Tests on the whole product (b) Tests on ingredients in a product (c) Basic physical and chemical data (d) Comparison with other classification lists (e) Comparison with other regulations (f) General scientific evidence CONTROLLED PRODUCTS AND EXEMPTIONS The legislation does provide a list of exemptions certain chemical products to which WHMIS does not apply even if some of the criteria are met. There are TWO types of exemptions COMPLETE and LIMITED. COMPLETE EXEMPTIONS - Wood or products made of wood - Tobacco or tobacco products - Manufactured articles ~ any article that is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacture, the intended use of which when in that form is dependent in whole or in part on its shape or design, and that, under normal conditions of use, will not release or otherwise cause a person to be exposed to a controlled product. LIMITED EXEMPTIONS The following are limited exemptions in that employers, but not suppliers, have some legal responsibilities under WHMIS. For these, suppliers do not have to provide MSDS or labels. - Hazardous waste ~ a controlled product that is intended solely for disposal or is sold for recycling or recovery, - Fugitive emissions ~ a gas, liquid, solid, vapor, fume, mist, fog or dust containing a controlled product that escapes from process equipment, emission control equipment, or product or a device in the workplace.

7 - Chemical products already covered by other legislation. These exemptions are made because there are already labeling and identification requirements under existing legislation. As follows: - Explosives under the Explosives Act - Cosmetics, devices, drugs or foods under the Food and Drugs Act - Radioactive materials covered by the Atomic Energy Control Act - Consumer products under the Hazardous Products Act AEROSOL DEFINITION OF TERMS USED IN CHART An aerosol is a collection of very small particles suspended in air. The particles can be liquid (mist) or solid (dust or fume). The term aerosol is also commonly used for a pressurized container (aerosol can) which is designed to release a fine spray of a material such as paint. Inhalation of aerosols is a common route of exposure to many chemicals. As well, aerosols may be fire hazards. BIOHAZARDOUS INFECTIOUS MATERIAL Under the Controlled Products Regulations, a biohazardous infectious material is a material that contains organisms which can cause disease in humans or animals. For example, a person exposed to a blood sample from someone with Hepatitis B may contract the disease. COMBUSTIBLE Combustible means able to burn. Broadly speaking, a material is combustible if it can catch on fire and burn. However, under the Controlled Product s Regulations, the term combustible is only applied to liquids which meet specific criteria. The terms combustible and flammable both describe the ability of a material to burn. Commonly, combustible materials are less easily ignited than flammable materials.

8 COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID Under the Controlled Products Regulations, a combustible liquid has a flash point from 37.8 to 93.3 º C (100 to 200ºF) using a closed cup test. This range of flash points is well above normal room temperature. Combustible liquids are therefore, less of a fire hazard than flammable liquids. If there is a possibility that a combustible liquid will be heated to a temperature near its flash point, appropriate precautions must be taken to prevent a fire. COMPRESSED GAS A compressed gas is a material which is a gas at normal room temperature and pressure, but is packaged as a pressurized gas, pressurized liquid or refrigerated liquid. The Controlled Products Regulations describe technical criteria for identifying materials which are classified as compressed gases. Regardless of whether a compressed gas is packaged in an aerosol can, a pressurized cylinder or a refrigerated container, it must be stored and handled very carefully. Puncturing or damaging the container or allowing the container to become hot may result in an explosion. CORROSIVE MATERIAL A corrosive material can attach (or corrode) metals or human tissues such as skin or eyes. Corrosive materials may cause metal containers or structural materials to become weak and eventually to leak or collapse. Corrosive materials can burn or destroy human tissues on contact and can cause effects such as permanent scarring or blindness. DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE MATERIAL Products which undergo violent chemical reactions or phase changes, explode when shocked or which react vigorously with water to produce toxic gas. FLAMMABLE A characteristic of any substance that is easily ignited, burns intensely or has a rapid rate of flame spread. FLAMMABLE AEROSOL Under the Controlled Products Regulations, a material is identified as a flammable aerosol if it is packaged in an aerosol container which can release a flammable material.

9 A flammable aerosol is hazardous because it may form a torch (explosive ignition of the spray) or because a fire fueled by the flammable aerosol may flash back. FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL Under the Controlled Products Regulations, a material may be classified as a flammable and combustible material if it meets specific criteria for a flammable gas, flammable liquid, combustible liquid, flammable solid, flammable aerosol or reactive flammable material. FLAMMABLE GAS A flammable gas is a gas which can ignite readily and burn rapidly or explosively. Flammable gases can be extremely hazardous in the workplace; for example: If the gas accumulates so that its lower explosive limit (LEL) is reached and there is a source of ignition, an explosion will occur. If there is inadequate ventilation, flammable gases can travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back to the source of the gas. FLAMMABLE LIQUID A flammable liquid gives off a vapor which can be readily ignited at normal working temperatures. Under the Controlled Products Regulations, a flammable liquid is a liquid with a flash point (using a closed cup test) below 37.8º (100ºF). Flammable liquids can be extremely hazardous in the workplace; for example: If there is inadequate ventilation, vapors can travel considerable distances to a source of ignition and flash back to the flammable liquid. It may be difficult to extinguish a burning flammable liquid with water because water may not be able to cool the liquid below its flash point. FLAMMABLE SOLID A flammable solid is a material which can ignite readily and burn vigorously and persistently. There are certain technical criteria s the Controlled Products Regulations for the identification of flammable solids, based on ease of ignition and rate of burning. Flammable solids may be hazardous because heat from friction (for example, surfaces rubbing together) or heat from processing may cause a fire. Flammable solids in the form of a dust or powder may be particularly hazardous because they may explode if ignited.

10 FUMES Fumes are very small, airborne, solid particles formed by the cooling of a hot vapor. For example, a hot zinc vapor may form when zinc-coated steel is welded. The vapor then condenses to form fine zinc fume as soon as it contacts the cool surrounding air. Fumes are smaller than dusts and more easily breathed into the lungs. GAS A gas is a material without a specific shape or volume. Gases tend to occupy an entire space uniformly at normal room pressure and temperature. The terms vapor and fume are sometimes confused with gas. HAZARD, HAZARDOUS Hazard is the potential for harmful effects. Hazardous means potentially harmful. The hazards of a material are evaluated by examining the properties of the material, such as toxicity, flammability and chemical reactivity, as well as how the material is used. How a material is used can vary greatly from workplace to workplace and, therefore, so can the hazard. HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS Hazardous combustion products are chemicals which may be formed when a material burns. These chemicals may be toxic, flammable or have other hazards. The chemicals released and their amounts vary, depending upon conditions such as the temperature and the amount of air (or more specifically, oxygen) available. The combustion chemicals may be quite different from those formed by heating the same material during processing (thermal decomposition products). It is important to know which chemicals are formed by hazardous combustion in order to plan the response to a fire involving the material. HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS Hazardous decomposition products are formed when a material decomposes (breaks down) because it is unstable, or reacts with common materials such as water or oxygen (in air). This information should be considered when planning storage and handling procedures.

11 TOXIC, TOXICITY Toxic means able to cause harmful health effects. Toxicity is the ability of a substance to cause harmful health effects. Descriptions of toxicity (e.g. low, moderate, severe, etc.) depend on the amount needed to cause an effect or the severity of the effect. VERY TOXIC MATERIALS Materials causing acute lethality, chronic toxic materials causing serious permanent effects, teratogenicity and embryo toxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory tract sensitization, mutagenicity causing genetic changes which are inherited. CONTROLLED PRODUCTS AND HAZARD SYMBOLS All classes and divisions of controlled products have symbols. These symbols which are the same throughout Canada, are for quick and easy recognition of the type of material in a container. ALL WHMIS symbols have thick black circles around them. WHMIS LABEL A WHMIS LABEL is a source of information on a controlled product designed to ALERT employers and workers in an easily understood way to the hazards of the product and the precautions to be taken with it. They serve as an immediate WARNING to anyone in a workplace who may be required to work with or near a controlled product. A label may be a mark, sign, stamp, device, seal, sticker, ticket, tag or wrapper and must be attached to, or imprinted, stenciled or embossed on the controlled product or a container of the product. TYPES OF LABELS There are TWO types of labels prescribed by WHMIS: A) SUPPLIER LABEL is intended for use on controlled products that will be distributed to workplaces in Canada. B) WORKPLACE LABEL is used in some circumstances during storage, handling and use of controlled products in the workplace.

12 The main parts of a supplier label are: (1) Product identifier (2) Supplier identifier (3) Reference to the MSDS (4) Hazard symbol (5) Risk phrases (6) Precautionary measures (7) First air measures MAIN PARTS OF A SUPPLIER LABEL A THE SUPPLIER LABEL 1 PRODUCT IDENTIFIER - identification of a product includes any of: ~ common name ~ chemical name ~ trade name ~ generic name ~ brand name ~ code name ~ code number - product identifiers disclosed on the label will be identical to the material safety data sheets. This is important because WHMIS intends that there be easy access to MSDS for workers warned in the first place by the label. 2 SUPPLIER IDENTIFIER - this includes the name of the supplier and the city where the principal place of business is located. 3 REFERENCE TO THE MSDS - the following statement or equivalent, will appear on the label when MSDS is available. 4 HAZARD SYMBOL - Hazard Symbols are composed of a variety of pictograms such as cylinder, flame, skull and crossbones, etc. surrounded by a circular border.

13 5 RISK PHRASES - RISK PHRASES reflect the criteria in the WHMIS classes divisions that bring the product into the WHMIS system. ~ e.g. the appropriate risk phrase for a product that is a lung sensitizer (Div. 2 of Class D) is: 6 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES VERY TOXIC: LUNG SENSITIZER - these are intended to describe the essential precautions to be taken in the handling, use and storage of hazardous materials. 7 FIRST AID MEASURES - the label will contain first aid statements, where appropriate, which describe the immediate measures to be taken by the victim or co-workers, that are specific to the product. B THE WORKPLACE LABEL An employer must provide a WORKPLACE LABEL for controlled products or containers of controlled products in circumstances such as: - the production and use of a controlled product in the workplace; or - the transfer of a controlled product received from a supplier to another container in the workplace. Workplace labels must include information on product identity and safe handling but considerable flexibility is permitted for label wording and format. The three content categories that appear on all workplace labels will: - identify the controlled product - provide information for safe handling of the controlled product - indicate that a Material Safety Data Sheet is available. The product identifier on the workplace label will be identical to that found on the MSDS.

14 INVENTORY REQUIREMENTS IN MANITOBA Related Requirements Include: - A written inventory of all controlled products will be compiled by employers in consultation with the workplace health and safety committee or representative. The inventory will: - name the workplace to which the inventory applies - list all controlled products in the workplace - tell where the MSDS for each controlled product can be found - give the date the inventory was completed - name the people responsible for completing it - note the maximum quantity of each controlled product that is likely to be present in the workplace at any one time over the year following the completion of the inventory. - A copy of this inventory will be posted in the workplace in a location where employees can easily get access to it. - When a new controlled product is brought into the workplace, or one is found which was not included on the inventory the employer will post a notice of change within 15 days. - If a controlled product is no longer used in the workplace, then a notice will be posted within 60 days. - Inventories will be updated annually if there has been a change since the last inventory.

15 BIBLIOGRAPHY Callagham, J.M., Dumschat, C.J., Whiting, R., The Material Safety Data Sheet An Explanation of Common Terms. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, December, Labour Canada. The Employer and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). Ottawa : Canadian Government Publishing Centre, Labour Canada. WHMIS in Your Workplace. Ottawa : Cat. No. L /88E. Manitoba Environment and Workplace Safety. A Workplace Guidance Manual to the Hazardous Materials Information System. (WHMIS. Manitoba Regulation 52/88, October, Manitoba Labour Department. WHMIS Core Material a resource manual for the application and implementation of WHMIS. Winnipeg. McNamus, N., Green, G., Workers Education, The Real Challenge, WHMIS. OHS Canada, Volume 4, No. 6. Robertson, D., McCormick, N. A Right To Know and A Duty To Tell A practical guide to WHMIS and its implication for workplace policies and programs in Manitoba. Winnipeg: Corporate Health Works Inc., WHMIS Handbook. Don Mills, Ontario. Corpus Information Services, 1988.