Safety First Training Keeping Your Workplace Safe in Ontario, Safety Consulting, Fit Testing, On Line Safety Training.

May 18, 2012

WHY BE WHMIS TRAINED?

Yes all employers in Canadian jurisdictions are required to train workers. However, as a job seeker with WHMIS training may have the upper hand as a trained WHMIS worker, over another worker who has not had any WHMIS training.

OHSA states: Employees have the right to know.

Employers must train employees on instruction on requirements for labels and data sheets, information on how product may affect the workers health or safety and be trained in safe work procedures are requirements. It is the employer general responsibility to provide all hazard information from suppliers to the worker, the worker to be aware of. This duty is largely accomplished through education and training programs offered on a regular basis.

WHAT IS WHMIS?

WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) is a Canada-wide system designed to give employers and workers information about hazardous materials used in the workplace. Under WHMIS, there are three ways in which information on hazardous materials is to be provided:

          1. Labels on the containers of hazardous materials
          2. Material safety data sheets to supplement the label with detailed hazard and precautionary information
          3. Worker education programs.

WHMIS TRAINING: What will you learn?

          1. Introduction to OHSA
          2. WHMIS Video
          3. Presentation: What is WHMIS
          4. Duties of employer, supervisor, worker
          5. Warning Symbols
          6. MSDS Reviewed and explained
          7. Review and discuss hazard classes and effects
          8. Routes of entry
          9. Review and discuss hazard classes and effects
          10. WHMIS Quiz reviewed explained and corrected
          11. Certificates to successful participants

Our training program is meets with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 860

WHMIS Symbols

SYMBOL

RISK

PRECAUTIONS

COMPRESSED GAS

MATERIALS WHICH ARE NORMALLY GASEOUS KEPT IN A PRESSURIZED CONTAINER

	Could explode due to pressure
	Could explode if heated or dropped
	Possible hazard from both the force of explosion and the release of contents

ENSURE CONTAINER IS ALWAYS SECURED

	Store in appropriate designated areas
	Do not drop or allow to fall

FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE

MATERIALS WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BURN AFTER BEING EXPOSED TO A FLAME OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE

	May ignite spontaneously
	May be a material which will release flammable products if allowed to degrade or when exposed to water

STORE IN PROPERLY DESIGNATED AREAS WORK IN WELL VENTILATED AREAS

	Avoid heating
	Avoid sources of sparks/ flames
	Ensure electrical sources are safe

OXIDIZING MATERIAL

MATERIALS WHICH CAN CAUSE OTHER MATERIALS TO BURN OR SUPPORT COMBUSTION

	Can cause skin or eye burns
	Increase fire and explosion hazard
	May cause combustibles to explode or react violently

STORE IN AREAS AWAY FROM COMBUSTIBLES WEAR BODY, HAND, FACE AND EYE PROTECTION

Store in proper containers which will not rust or oxidize

TOXIC
Immediate and Severe

POISONS / POTENTIALLY FATAL MATERIALS WHICH CAUSE IMMEDIATE AND SEVERE HARM

	May be fatal if ingested or inhaled
	May be absorbed through the skin
	Small volumes have a toxic effect

AVOID BREATHING DUST OR VAPORS
AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN OR EYES

	Wear protective clothing which is effective against fumes and vapors
	Wear face and eye protection
	Work in well ventilated areas and wear breathing protection

TOXIC
Long Term Concealed

MATERIALS WHICH MAY HAVE HARMFUL EFFECTS AFTER REPEATED EXPOSURES OR OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME

	May cause death or permanent injury
	May cause birth defects or sterility
	May cause cancer
	May be sensitizer causing allergies

WEAR APPROPRIATE PERSONAL PROTECTION WORK IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA

	Store in appropriate designated areas
	Avoid direct contact
	Use hand, body, face and eye protection
	Ensure respiratory and body protection is appropriate for the specific hazard

BIOHAZARDOUS INFECTIONS

INFECTIOUS AGENTS OR A BIOLOGICAL TOXIN CAUSING A SERIOUS DISEASE OR DEATH

	May cause anaphylactic shock
	Includes Viruses, Yeasts, Molds, Bacteria and Parasites which affect humans
	Includes fluids containing toxic products
	Includes cellular components

SPECIAL TRAINING REQUIRED WORK IN DESIGNATED BIOLOGICAL AREAS WITH APPROPRIATE ENGINEERING CONTROLS

	Avoid forming aerosols
	Avoid breathing vapors
	Avoid contamination of people / area
	Store only in special designated areas

CORROSIVE MATERIALS

MATERIALS WHICH REACT WITH METALS AND LIVING TISSUE

	Eye and skin irritation on exposure
	Severe burns / tissue damage on longer exposure
	Lung damage if inhaled
	May cause blindness if eyes contacted
	Environmental damage from fumes

WEAR BODY, FACE AND EYE PROTECTION
USE BREATHING APPARATUS

	Ensure protective equipment is appropriate
	Work in well ventilated area
	Avoid all direct body contact
	Use appropriate storage containers and ensure proper non-venting closures

DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE

MATERIALS WHICH MAY HAVE UNEXPECTED REACTIONS

	May react with water
	May be chemically unstable
	May explode if exposed to shock or heat
	May release toxic or flammable vapors
	May vigorously polymerize
	May burn unexpectedly

HANDLE WITH CARE AVOIDING VIBRATION, SHOCKS AND SUDDEN TEMPERATURE CHANGES

	Store in appropriate containers
	Ensure storage containers are sealed
	Store and work in designated areas