WHMIS is Canada's national hazard communication standard, which provides information about hazardous materials used in the workplace. It has three main components - training, labels, and material safety data sheets (MSDS). The system classifies hazardous materials into six classes based on the type of hazard, with each class represented by a unique symbol. Employers are responsible for training employees about WHMIS, and employees must understand and follow WHMIS procedures to safely handle hazardous materials and protect themselves and coworkers from harm.

1. W.H.M.I.S.
Workplace Hazardous Material Information SystemUpdated: September 2014

2. What is WHMIS?
WHMISisanacronym,whichstandsforWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem.WHMISiscommonlyreferredtoas“RighttoKnow”legislation.

3. What is WHMIS?
WHMISwasimplementedonOctober31,1988asaresultofBillC-70,toprovideinformationaboutthesafehandling,storage, anduseofcontrolledproductsacrossCanada.

4. What is WHMIS?
“Controlled product” is another name for a hazardous substance or chemical that falls under WHMIS.

5. Controlled Product List
•Compile a list at each work site of Controlled Products used in the workplace, and each work site must provide site specific training on them.
MSDS
•Ensure that current Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available for all chemicals being used, and advise employees of their location.
Labeling
•Have a procedure in place to ensure the correct labeling of all workplace containers containing controlled products.
Training
•Provide a WHMIS training program for all employees, and ensure that the training is updated annually.
Employer’s Responsibilities
Employer(CountyofSimcoe)must:

6. Apply what you learn.
Be able to understand a MSDS, and know where to find them.
Get trained in WHMIS and get updated training annually.
Know how to use WHMIS to protect yourself and your co- workers.
Be aware of the potential hazards of all the controlled products you work with.
When in doubt ASK!
Employee’s Responsibilities
Employees(oftheCountyofSimcoe)must:

7. “Right to Know”
WHMIS legislation gives everyone in a workplace the right to know about the hazards of materials being used.

8. “Right to Know”
The three main components of WHMIS are:
Training
Labels
MSDS

9. WHMIS Symbols
The system requires the classification of hazardous materials into one or more of SIX CLASSES.
Each of these classes is represented by a symbol with the exception of class D which is broken into three divisions and each division has its own symbol.

10. The class A symbol must appear on all Compressed Gas cylinders.
This symbol indicates that the cylinder contains a gas under pressure.
Compressed Gas

11. Compressed Gas
Main hazard: The cylinder could explode if heated or impacted.
Examples: Propane or hydrogen cylinders.

12. The class B symbol appears on all Flammable and Combustible Materials.
Flammable and combustible materials

13. Main hazard: These materials can catch fire if they are exposed to a heat source or ignition source such as a spark or flame.
Examples: Kerosene, gasoline.
Flammable and combustible materials

14. The class C symbol must appear on all Oxidizing Materials.
Oxidizing materials

15. Main hazard: These materials present a fire or explosion risk when near other flammable or combustible materials. They also have potential to cause burns to the skin.
Examples: Chlorine, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid.
Oxidizing materials

16. Class D materials are poisonous and infections. This class is divided into three divisions, each with its own hazard symbol:
All the materials in this class must be handled with extreme caution, and safe work practices and procedures must be strictly adhered to.
Class D Division 1
Class D Division 2
Class D Division 3
Poisonous and infectious

17. Class D1 Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effectssymbol is represented by the universally recognizable skull and cross bones.
A single exposure to any of the materials in this division can be fatal.
Materials Causing Immediate
and Serious Toxic Effects

18. Main hazard: These materials could cause immediate serious or fatal toxic effects.
Examples: Carbon monoxide, sodium cyanide, sulphuric acid.
Materials Causing Immediate
and Serious Toxic Effects

19. Materials classified with the D2 symbol have toxic effects, but these effects are not immediately life threatening.
Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects

20. Main hazard:These material could cause immediate effects such as temporary irritation. Long Term exposure to these materials may lead to permanent health damage or even death.
Examples: Asbestos, benzene, ammonia.
Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects

21. A class D3 Biohazardous Infectious Material is a material that contains organisms, which can cause disease. Included in this division are viruses and bacteria.
Biohazardous and Infectious Materials

22. Main hazard:These materials could cause serious disease resulting in illness or death.
Examples: Blood contaminated with hepatitis or HIV.
Biohazardous and Infectious Materials

23. The symbol for Class E Corrosive Material is a picture of two test tubes pouring a corrosive liquid on a bar (piece of metal) and a hand.
Corrosive Materials

24. Main hazard:These materials can cause severe burns to skin and other human tissues, and can attack clothes and other materials including metal.
Examples: Sulfuric acid, caustic soda.
Corrosive Materials

25. Class F Dangerously Reactivematerials are highly unstable controlled products that can react to other products, heat, light, or sudden movements.
Dangerously Reactive

26. Main hazard:These materials can react violently if exposed to energy sources. The results can include fire and explosion and/or the release of toxic gas.
Examples: Picric acid, styrene, some rocket fuels.
Dangerously Reactive

27. Can you spot the hazards?

28. Answer:Containers with controlled products are not labelled.
Can you spot the hazards?

29. Containers of controlled products must be labeled to clearly indicate and identify the contents and the hazards of the material.
The two WHMIS labelsare:
WHMIS Labels

30. The supplier or manufacturer of the controlled product provides supplier labels and MSDS's.
The supplier label will have the following information:
1.the name of the product,
2.name of the company that supplied,
3.reference to MSDS,
4.hazard symbols,
5.risk phrases,
6.precautionary measures,
7.first aid measures,
8.a distinctive "hatch mark" border, and
9.the text must be in English and French.
Supplier Labels
Example of a supplier label for Methanol

31. Workplace labels are used when the product is being transferred from its original supplier container to a different one.It is also used when the supplier label is illegible, accidentally removed or if the product is produced in the workplace.
Workplace labels must contain the following information:
1.the name of the product,
2.information of the safe handling of the product, and
3.a reference to a MSDS.
Workplace Labels
Example of a workplace label for Methanol

32. AMaterialSafetyDataSheet(MSDS)isadocumentpreparedbythesupplierormanufacturerofthematerialthatcontainsinformationonthepotentialhazards(health,fire,reactivityandenvironmental)andhowtoworksafelywiththechemicalproduct.
What is a MSDS?

33. AMSDSalsocontainsinformationontheuse, storage,handlingandemergencyproceduresallrelatedtothehazardsofthematerial.
MSDS

34. AMSDSshouldbeconsultedbeforeusingacontrolledproductandoccasionallytoreviewhazardandprecautionaryinformation.
MSDS

35. There are nine categories of information that must be present on a MSDS in Canada.
These categories include:
1.product information,
2.hazardous ingredients,
3.physical data,
4.fire or explosion hazard data,
5.reactivity data,
6.toxicological properties,
7.preventive measures,
8.first aid measures, and
9.preparation information.
MSDS Categories

36. Material Safety Data Sheets location
ManyMaterialSafetyDataSheetsareaccessiblethroughCorporateintranet. MaterialSafetyDataSheetscanbelocatedbyclickingthe“MSDSDatabase” linklocatedontherightsideofthemainCorporateintranetwebpageunderthe“QuickLinks”section.

37. Afireorexplosionisoneofonlythreewaysthatwecanbecomeinjuredorillwhendealingwithcontrolledproducts.
Theothertwowaysarebyhavingdirectphysicalcontactwithcontrolledproductsandbyhavingcontrolledproductsenteringthebody.
How controlled products can hurt us

38. Themostfrequentproblem,andfrequentlythemostserious,whenusingcontrolledproductsintheworkplace,iswhenproductsactuallyenterthebody.
How controlled products can hurt us

39. And, this can only occur in one of four ways:
By absorption of the substance through
the skin,
By injection of the substance most
commonly via a needle,
By ingestion, most usually as a result of bad
hygiene and contaminated food, and
By inhalation or simply breathing the
substance, which is by far the most common
route of entry into the body.
How controlled products can hurt us

40. PersonalProtectiveEquipmentorPPEforshort,istheequipmentweweartoprotectourselvesfromphysicalandchemicalhazards.Ifweknowaboutthechemicalweareusingwecanprotectourselvesagainstthepossiblehazards.
Personal Protective Equipment

41. RefertotheappropriateMSDStofindoutwhatpersonalprotectiveequipmentisrequiredtohandlethechemicalsafely.
Personal Protective Equipment

42. Remember it is the employer’s responsibility to provide
the required PPE, but it is your responsibility to ensure
it is worn when working with the controlled product.
Ensure all equipment is in good repair, if it is not, report
it to your supervisor immediately.
Personal Protective Equipment
Safety Glasses Safety Boots Face Mask Gloves