Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) PDF

Objective 9 State the purpose of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), explain the use of labels and safety data sheets (SDSs), and explain the responsibilities of the employer and employee under the WHMIS program. CAUTION Information on WHMIS, labels, safety data sheets, a...

Objective 9 State the purpose of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), explain the use of labels and safety data sheets (SDSs), and explain the responsibilities of the employer and employee under the WHMIS program. CAUTION Information on WHMIS, labels, safety data sheets, and responsibilities of the employer and employee under the WHMIS program is based on the information available from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) website. This information is presented as an example only and should not be construed as exact or applicable to all jurisdictions. WHMIS The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a comprehensive system that provides health and safety information on hazardous products that are intended for use, handling, or storage in Canadian workplaces. A WHMIS program ensures that the information about hazardous products is effectively communicated to workers. Effective communication of information means that workers understand the WHMIS system, know the hazards of the products they work with, know and apply the safe work procedures that are specific to their jobs and tasks, and know how to respond in an emergency. The government of Canada has aligned the WHMIS program with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS defines and classifies the hazards of chemical products. This system also communicates health and safety information on labels and safety data sheets (SDSs). One goal of the GHS is for the same set of rules for classifying hazards, and the same format and content for labels and SDSs, to be adopted and used around the world. The WHMIS and GHS programs make use of pictograms. Pictograms are graphic images that immediately show the user of a hazardous product what type of hazard is present. Most pictograms have a distinctive red square, set on one of its points to appear as a diamond shape, as a border. The only exception to this format is the pictogram for biohazardous infectious materials, which has a black circle as a border. The symbol inside the border depicts the potential hazard. Together, the border and symbol are referred to as a pictogram. These pictograms (shown Page 38 of 56 in Figure 10) are used when labelling WHMIS products. The bold type in Figure 10 is the name of the pictogram, and the words in the parenthesis describe the hazard. WHMIS LABELS A WHMIS label on a hazardous product is designed to alert employers and workers to the hazards of the product and the precautions to be taken when working with it. A label may be a mark, sign, stamp, seal, sticker, ticket, tag, or wrapper, and it must be attached to, imprinted, stenciled, or embossed on the hazardous product or a container of the product. There are two main types of labels that are prescribed under WHMIS legislation. The supplier label is intended for use with hazardous products that are distributed to workplaces in Canada. The workplace label is used in some circumstances during the storage, handling, and use of hazardous products in the workplace. Legislation also provides guidance for the use of means of identification other than workplace labels in specific situations where workplace labels would be impractical or unnecessary to ensure worker health and safety. Page 39 of 56 Supplier Label The supplier label is the label provided, as a condition of sale, by the supplier of a hazardous product. A supplier is a person or company who manufactures, processes, or packages a hazardous product, or a person or company who imports or sells such products. If the hazardous product does not have a supplier label, the product must not be used until a SDS and a supplier label are obtained. The supplier is responsible for the application of the supplier label to the hazardous product, unless, under permitted circumstances, the purchaser assumes that responsibility. The supplier label must include the following information: • Product identifier: The brand name, chemical name, common name, generic name, or trade name of the hazardous product • Initial supplier identifier: The name, address, and telephone number of either the Canadian manufacturer or Canadian importer • Pictogram(s): The relevant hazard symbol(s) for that particular product • Signal word: A word used to alert the reader to a potential hazard and to indicate the severity of the hazard • Hazard statement(s): A standardized phrase that describes the nature of the hazard posed by a hazardous product • Precautionary statement(s): A standardized phrase that describes the measures required to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to the hazardous product or improper handling or storage of the hazardous product • Supplemental label information: Some supplemental label information might be required based on the classification of the product. There is no set format for a supplier label. However, supplier labels must be written in both official languages of Canada (English and French) and must follow the general formatting guidelines below: • The pictogram, signal word, and hazard statement must be grouped together. • The label must be clearly and prominently displayed on the container. • The label must be easy to read. • The label must be in contrast with other information on the product or container. Page 40 of 56 An example of a typical supplier label is shown in Figure 11. Fig 11 Typical supplier Label Workplace Label Under WHMIS legislation, a hazardous product should never be unlabeled. As long as the hazardous product remains in its original container with a supplier label on it, no additional labeling is required. A workplace label must be used in the following situations: • If a hazardous product is decanted (poured) from its original container into another container for use in the workplace • If a hazardous product that is stored in bulk is transferred into another container for use in the workplace • If the supplier label is illegible, damaged, lost, or any combination of these. It is also acceptable to replace the unsuitable or missing supplier label with another supplier label. Workplace labels are less detailed than supplier labels, but the workplace label must contain the following information: • Product name (matching the SDS product name) • Safe handling precautions (may include pictograms or other supplier label information) • A reference to the SDS There is no prescribed format for workplace labels. If a hazardous product is decanted for immediate use, a workplace label is not required. An example of a typical workplace label is shown in Figure 12 Page 41 of 56 Fig 12 Typical Workplace Label Page 42 of 56 SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS) A safety data sheet (SDS) Is a summary document that provides information regarding the hazards of a product and advice about safety precautions. These sheets are usually written by the manufacturer or supplier of the product. In some circumstances, an employer may be required to prepare a SDS when the product is produced and used exclusively in that workplace. An employer is required to make sure that a hazardous product has an updated SDS when it enters the workplace. The SDS must be readily available to the workers who are exposed to the hazardous product, and it must also be readily available to the health and safety committee or representative. A SDS provides more detailed hazard information about the product than the label does. It is an educational resource for workplaces and workers to learn more about the product. A SDS informs users of the hazards of the product, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, how to recognize symptoms of exposure, and what to do if an emergency occurs. A SDS is required if a product that is covered by the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) meets the criteria to be included in a hazard class or category. In other words, every product that is classified as a hazardous product under WHMIS and that is to be used, handled, or stored in a workplace in Canada must have a SDS. The Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) specifies the sections and content for the SDS. The information on a SDS must be presented in a specified order and be in both official languages of Canada (English and French). A SDS is required to be accurate at the time of sale and is required to be updated when the supplier becomes aware of any significant new data. The SDS is an essential starting point in the development of a workplace program for the safe use of hazardous products and is used in the following ways: • As a reference for technical information • As a document that can be distributed for the use of persons with responsibilities related to the content of the document (for example, health and safety coordinators and committees, first aid personnel, and fire response teams). The SDS is posted in work areas where the product is used. • As a starting point for the implementation of control measures to protect workers • As a key element of worker education and training • As a means of easily updating a program when revisions to SDSs become available Page 43 of 56 SDS Information SDS contains the following headings and information: a) Identification: Product identifier, other means of identification, recommended use, restrictions on use, Canadian supplier (name, address, and phone numbers), and emergency telephone number b) Hazard identification: Hazard classification, label elements (symbol, signal word, hazard statements, and precautionary statements), and other hazards that do not result in classification c) Composition/ingredients information: The composition of a hazardous material or substance, and the composition of each material or substance in a mixture d) First aid measures: First aid measures by route of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact), most important symptoms and effects, and any immediate medical attention or special treatments (or both) needed e) Firefighting measures: Suitable extinguishing media, unsuitable extinguishing media, specific hazards, and special protective equipment and precautions for firefighters f) Accidental release measures: Personal precautions, protective equipment, emergency procedures, and methods and materials for containment and cleaning up g) Handling and storage: Precautions for safe handling and conditions for safe storage h) Exposure controls/personal protection: Control parameters, appropriate engineering controls, and individual protection measures i) Physical and chemical properties: The relevant parameters (for example, appearance, flash point, solubility, and viscosity) j) Stability and reactivity: Possible hazardous reactions, conditions to avoid, incompatible materials, and hazardous decomposition products k) Toxicological information: Likely routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact), symptoms related to the physical, chemical, and toxicological characteristics, delayed and immediate effects of exposure, and numerical measures of toxicity l) Ecological information: Ecotoxicity, persistence and degradability, bio-accumulative potential, and mobility in soil m) Disposal considerations: Safe handling and disposal methods of the material or product and any contaminated packaging n) Transport information: UN (United Nations) number and shipping name, transport hazard class and packing group, environmental hazards, and special precautions o) Regulatory information: Health, safety, and environmental regulations specific to the product p) Other information: Date of latest revision of the SDS Page 44 of 56 EDUCATION AND TRAINING If a workplace uses hazardous products in Canada, there must be a WHMIS program in place. As part of this program, workers must be educated and trained to understand the hazards and how to work safely with hazardous products. Education refers to general or portable information such as how WHMIS works and the hazards of the products. Training refers to the site-specific information given to employees that covers specific workplace procedures for the storage, handling, use, and disposal of hazardous products. Training also ensures that employees know what to do in the event of emergencies, spills, or other unusual situations. Examples of topics that should be covered during education and training include the following: • The information on both the supplier label and workplace label, and what that information means • The information on the safety data sheet (SDS) and what that information means • The procedures required for safe use, handling, and disposal of a hazardous product • Any other procedures required when the product is in a pipe, piping system, vessel, tank car, etc. • The procedure to follow if the hazardous product may be present in the air and a worker may be exposed • All procedures that must be followed in an emergency that involves the hazardous product Responsibilities of the Employer All Canadian jurisdictions currently require employers to develop, implement, and maintain a worker education and training program. Education and training are required for hazardous products that workers will or may be exposed to at work. Employers are also expected to consult with the health and safety committee or representative when developing, implementing, or reviewing the education and training programs. The employer is responsible for providing all of the hazard information given by the supplier, or for providing a summary of the hazard information based on the information from the supplier. In addition, the employer should review the overall WHMIS education and training program at least annually, or more often if there is a change in work conditions, hazard information, or both. This review should be done in consultation with the health and safety committee or Page 45 of 56 representative. The employer, as far as reasonably practicable, should ensure that the education and training program enables a worker to apply the information as needed in the workplace. Additional education and training opportunities are generally required in the following instances: • As needed to protect the worker’s health and safety • If conditions of the workplace have changed • If new products are introduced • If the products have changed and now have different hazards • When new hazard information becomes available • If there is new information about safe use, handling, storage, or disposal of a product Responsibilities of the Worker Workers must participate in the education and training program and follow the safe work procedures established by their employer. The worker has several roles in the education and training process, which include the following: a) Receive and learn the employer-provided information on hazardous products. b) Inform the employer of any circumstance in which the worker does not have adequate information about a hazardous product to ensure their health and safety. c) Work with the employer in the development, implementation, and review of programs on hazardous products when acting as a health and safety representative on a health and safety committee. For more detailed information about WHMIS, labels, safety data sheets (SDSs), and the responsibilities of employers and employees under the program, please see the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) website. Page 46 of 56