1. Hundreds of new materials &
chemicals have been developed to
make our work easier:
 How do we know which ones are dangerous?
 How can we protect ourselves?
 A federal social economic impact analysis estimates the
social costs of exposure to hazardous materials in the
workplace to be in excess of $600 million per year.
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 1

2. What is a Hazardous Material
 A hazardous material is “any substance, which can
cause illness, disease, or death to unprotected
workers.”
 Sometimes hazardous materials are often called
hazardous products, controlled products, or
dangerous goods
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 2

3. Dangers & Severity depends on one
or more of the following:
 How much pressure there is
 How easy the material burns or explodes
 How much of the material is present
 How toxic it is
 How it enters your body
 How concentrated it is
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 3

4. How can I protect myself?
 Workers can protect themselves by:
 Watching carefully for hazard labels
 Read MSDS’s to learn proper handling & precautions
 Handling all hazardous materials in the recommended
way
 Tell your supervisor about any substandard condition
 WHMIS training
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 4

5. W.H.M.I.S. Legislation
 October 31, 1988 legislation requiring the implementation
of W.H.M.I.S. came into effect in Canada (for federal
employees)
 March 15, 1989 W.H.M.I.S. became law in Alberta (for
persons working in Alberta)
 It requires suppliers, employers and workers to use the
system to identify and handle hazardous materials safely
 People who do not follow the laws on W.H.M.I.S. can be
charged with an offence and if convicted, may face fines
and/or imprisonment
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 5

6. W.H.M.I.S. Provides information on
the safe use of hazardous materials
used in Canadian workplaces via:
 Product labels
 Material safety data sheets (M.S.D.S.)
 Worker education programs
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 6

7. Workers must use the system to
protect themselves against harm by:
 Recognizing labels
 Checking the hazards
 Following the recommended procedures
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 7

8. Some products are partially exempt or are
exempt from W.H.M.I.S. These products are
regulated via the following acts & regulations:
 Explosives Act
 Food and Drug Act
 Pest Control Products Act
 Nuclear Energy Act
 Alberta Waste Control Regulations
 Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
 Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 8

9. This system is based on the Worker’s right’s to know
about Hazardous Materials that they may come into
contact in the workplace. All have responsibilities
under this legislation. These are briefly:
 SUPPLIERS: For disclosure of contents and proper labeling of
materials
 EMPLOYERS: To provide for safe handling of Hazardous Materials
To provide worker training
 WORKERS: To use the system to ensure their own safety and that
of there co- workers
This training program has been developed within the Occupational Health
& Safety Dept of Palliser Health under guidance of Alberta Health
Services (AHS). The training program is for the use of all AHS
employers to help meet the commitment to provide worker education.
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 9

10. Note:
 The goal of this education program only addresses the
general W.H.M.I.S. knowledge portions of the worker
education requirement
 Site-specific training on actual materials and procedures
are/is also required as part of the departmental orientation
of all Employees and/or Students (Please review with your
supervisor/manager)
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 10

11. W.H.M.I.S. Uses 3 Main Parts To
Identify Hazardous Products:
 Labels
~ Identify dangers of a product and tell where to find out
more information about the product.
 Material Safety Data Sheets (M.S.D.S.)
~ Provide detailed information on the danger(s)
associated to a product and how to handle the
product/material safely.
 Worker Education
~ Employers must provide instruction to each worker
using W.H.M.I.S. controlled products on how to use
W.H.M.I.S., what hazardous materials are on site, and
how to handle them properly.!
WHMIS OH&S 2009 RM 11