WHMIS is Canada's national hazard communication standard, aimed at reducing injuries and illnesses from exposure to hazardous materials in the workplace. It requires product labels, material safety data sheets, and worker education programs to provide consistent safety information on hazardous materials. The goal is to educate workers about hazards and safe handling procedures through labels, MSDS sheets, and training. Employers are responsible for providing this training to exposed workers annually as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

1. Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System

2. WHMIS is a short form for Workplace
Hazardous Materials Information System.
It is a comprehensive plan for providing
information on the safe use of hazardous
materials used in Canadian workplaces.
Information is provided by means of
product labels, material safety data sheets
(MSDS) and worker education programs.

3. The Goal of the Workplace Hazardous
Materials Information System:
Is to reduce or eliminate the incidence of
injuries and illnesses resulting from
exposure to hazardous materials in the
workplace

5. WHMIS Legislation
 Occupational Health and Safety Act:
 Section 25 Duties of Employers to provide training on
hazards
 Section 27 Duties of Supervisors to ensure awareness of
hazards
 Section 28 Duties of Workers to work safely
 Sections 37, 38, 42 Hazardous Material Identification,
Data Sheets and Annual Training
 Ont. Regulation 860 WHMIS-detailed information

6. The employer has a general duty to educate
workers who are exposed or likely to be exposed to
a controlled product on the job (section 42(1) of the
OHSA)
In addition, the employer is obligated to consult the
JHSC if there is one, or a worker representative,
above the content and delivery of the education
program(Section 42(2) of the OHSA).

7. Training must consist of…
Worker Education and Training
Labels
Material Safety Data
Sheets(MSDS’s)

10. THE 8 HAZARD SYMBOLS

11. Class A Compressed Gas
What are the hazards?
What are the safe handling
procedures?
 Gaseous materials kept in a
pressurized container.
 Could explode due to
pressure, if heated or
dropped.
 Hazards from both the forces
of the explosion and the
release of the contents.
 Store in designated areas,
ensure they are also
secured.
 Do not drop or allow to fall.

12. Class B Flammables
What are the hazards? What are the safe handling
procedures?
 May ignite spontaneously.
 The vapours are what can
ignite easily.
 If you can smell it, it can
explode.
 Store in properly designated
areas.
 Work in a well ventilated
area.
 Avoid heating and sources of
ignition.

13. Static Electricity in Action
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?feature=player_detailpage
&v=QgAaj3DkA-w

14. Class C Oxidizers
What are the hazards? What are the safe handling
procedures?
 Can cause other materials to
burn or support combustion.
 Can cause skin and eye burns.
 May cause combustibles to
explode.
 Store away from
combustibles.
 Wear PPE.
 Do not store in metal
containers that will rust of
oxidize.

15. Class D1 Immediate Toxic Effects
What are the hazards? What are the safe handling
procedures?
 Can make you very ill or even
cause death very quickly.
 Avoid breathing dust or
vapours.
 Avoid contact with skin.
 Wear a respirator!

16. Class D2 Other Toxic Effects
What are the hazards? What are the safe handling
procedures?
 May cause death, birth
defects, sterility or cancer
from long exposure.
 Is a sensitizer causing
allergies.
 Avoid contact.
 WEAR PPE!!!

17. Class D3 Biohazards
What are the hazards? What are the safe handling
procedures?
 Contact with viruses, mold,
bacteria could lead to
becoming very ill or receiving
the virus.
 High at risk are first aiders
and caretakers.
 Avoid breathing vapours.
 Avoid contamination of
the area and people. Use
environmental
precautions.
 Store only in designated
areas.
 Use your PPE.

18. Class E Corrosive
What are the hazards? What are the safe handling
procedures?
 Eye and skin irritation on
exposure.
 Severe burns and tissue
damage on longer exposure.
 Lung damage if inhaled.
 May cause blindness if eyes
contacted.
 Work in a well ventilated
area.
 Avoid all body contact.
 Use your PPE.

19. Class F Reactive
What are the hazards? What are the safe handling
procedures?
 May react with water.
 May explode if shaken or
heated.
 Chemically unstable.
 Do not allow to drop or fall.
 Handle with care.
 Avoid temperature changes
 Avoid vibrations.

20. Supplier Label
A. Distinctive
Crosshatched Border
B. Product Name
C. Hazard Symbol(s)
D. Risk Phrases
E. Precautionary Measures
F. First Aid Measures
G. Reference to MSDS
H. Supplier Name and
Address

21. Workplace
Labels
If you see a bottle
without a label on
it, you must report
this to your
supervisor and they
will ensure a
workplace label
will replace the old
one. They will also
ensure that all the
info that is needed
will be put on!

22. A. Manufacturers Safety Data Sheets
B. Materials Safety Diagnostic Sheets
C. Mines Safety Direction sheets
D. Material Safety Data Sheets
E. None Of The Above

23. Some of the most common
products in our schools
White-Out Toner Oxivir

24. White Out MSDS Sheets

27. MSDS:Toner

29. MSDS for Oxivir

31. Questions?