WHMIS

TRAINING

INTRODUCTION
WHMIS is a system designed to provide
information on how to safely USE, STORE,
and HANDLE workplace hazardous
materials.

WHMIS legislation makes EMPLOYERS

responsible for providing their workers with
work-specific training and education
regarding hazardous products

INTRODUCTION
WHMIS Training will help employees
gain the ability to recognize hazardous
products used on the work site
Once hazardous products are recognized
training will assist employees how to:

1. Locate information on the hazards

and
2. Utilize proper handling
techniques for
these materials

LEGISLATIO
N

WHMIS is enforced by a combination of federal and

provincial legislation.
Federal legislation requires suppliers/importers of
hazardous materials (controlled products) to
provide adequate labels and MSDSs as a condition of
sale and importation.
Federal, provincial, and territorial Occupational
Safety and Health (OSH) legislation requires
employers to provide labels, MSDSs, and worker
education programs in the workplace.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF
SUPPLIERS AND EMPLOYERS

HAZARDOUS PRODUCT ACT

The Hazardous Product Act has issued
regulations identifying:
1. What is a controlled product?
2. Material Safety Data Sheets [MSDS]
required for the sale of controlled
product
3. Information to be disclosed on an MSDS
4. Ingredient disclosure and identity
5. Labeling requirements of controlled
products

CONTROLLED PRODUCTS REGULATIONS

A Controlled Product is defined as:

Any product, material or substance

determined in accordance with Part
IV of the
Controlled Products Regulations to
be
included in the classes listed in
Schedule II of
the Hazardous Products Act.

WHMIS
WORKPLACE
HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS
I NFORMATION
SYSTEM

WHMIS OBJECTIVES
Identify Hazardous materials on the work site
Improve the communication of health hazard
information of materials used on the work site
Protect employees from exposure to
hazardous materials through safety
equipment, training, and procedures

CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Consumer products can be
controlled products under WHMIS
Products such as Bleach, WD40,
Paint and Glue are controlled
products and therefore are
subject to the WHMIS regulations

3 BASIC ELEMENTS OF WHMIS

Site Specific Training and Education
Product Labels

Material Safety Data Sheets [MSDS]

CONTROLLED PRODUCTS
WHMIS defines all substances which
fall within the WHMIS criteria as
Controlled Products whether they
are substances which are brought into
the worksite or are produced there.
These products must have labels and
a Material Safety Data Sheet [MSDS]

WHMIS SYMBOLS
CONTROLLED PRODUCTS WILL BE IDENTIFIED BY
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING SYMBOLS

WHMIS SYMBOLS
CLASS A: COMPRESSED GAS
This class includes compressed gases,
dissolved gases, and gases liquefied by
compression or refrigeration

WHMIS SYMBOLS
CLASS B: FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL
This class includes solids, liquids, and gases capable
of catching fire in the presence of a spark or open
flame under normal working conditions.

WHMIS SYMBOLS
CLASS C: OXIDIZING MATERIAL
These materials increase the risk of
fire if they come in contact with
flammable or combustible materials.

WHMIS SYMBOLS
CLASS D: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL
Division 1: Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects

These materials can cause death or immediate

injury when a person is exposed to small
amounts.
Examples: sodium cyanide, hydrogen sulphide

WHMIS SYMBOLS
CLASS D: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL
Division 2: Materials Causing Other Toxic EFFECTS

These materials can cause life-threatening and

serious long-term health problems as well as less
severe but immediate reactions in a person who
is repeatedly exposed to small amounts.

WHMIS SYMBOLS
CLASS D: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL
Division 3: Biohazardous Infectious MATERIAL

These materials contain harmful micro-organisms

that have been classified into
Risk Groups 2, 3, and 4 as determined by the
World Health Organization (WHO) or the Medical
Research Council of Canada.

WHMIS SYMBOLS
CLASS E: CORROSIVE MATERIAL
This class includes caustic and acid materials
that can destroy the skin or eat through metals.
Examples: sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid,
nitric acid

WHMIS SYMBOLS
CLASS F: DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE MATERIAL
These products may self-react dangerously
(for example, they may explode) upon
standing or when exposed to physical shock
or to increased pressure or temperature, or
they emit toxic gases when exposed to
water.

MULTIPLE HAZARDS
A controlled product can have
multiple
hazards associated with it
Example: Methanol

SUPPLIER LABELS
All WHMIS content in a Supplier Label must be
within the standard dashed WHMIS border.
Information contained on a Supplier Label
must be in English and French,
and include:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Product Identifier
Supplier Identifier
Hazard Symbols
MSDS Statement
Risk Phrases
First Aid Measures
Precautionary Measures

May also include

Trade Secret Exemption

(if applicable) 3yr exemption

WORKPLACE LABELS
Information on a Workplace Label includes:

Product Identifier
Information on the Hazards and Safe
Handling
Statement that an MSDS is Available

Workplace labels are required on containers for each controlled product

produced and used on-site,
On secondary containers after a product has been transferred from the
original container, and
On containers where the supplier label is missing or not readable

OTHER LABELS
Other labels that may indicate that a product is
controlled can include:

Transportation of Dangerous Goods [TDG] labels

NFPA or HMIS
labels

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS [MSDS]

Material Safety Data Sheets [MSDS] are technical
documents that provide detailed and comprehensive
information on controlled products.

Information provided includes:

Health Effects of Exposure
Hazard Evaluation regarding handling, storage and use
Measures to protect employees who may be at risk of
exposure
Emergency Procedures

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS [MSDS]

A properly prepared WHMIS Material Safety Data Sheet must have the following information

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Product Identity
Hazardous Ingredients
Physical and Chemical
Data
Fire and Explosive Data
Reactivity Data
Toxicological Properties
Preventative Measures
First Aid Measures
Preparation Data

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS [MSDS]

When there is a change in the information

or
new information is added, the
Material Safety Data Sheet [MSDS] must
be revised. This is the responsibility of
the producer of the controlled product.

A Material Safety Data Sheet [MSDS] must

be
updated and replaced every three years,
whether or not there are any changes in
the
information

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS [MSDS]

Material Safety Data Sheet format will
vary from supplier to supplier
A Material Safety Data Sheet [MSDS] is
compliant with WHMIS as long a s all
necessary information is disclosed.
You may have a 9-section or a 16section Material Safety Data Sheet
Familiarize yourself where the Material
Safety Data Sheets are kept within
your worksite

SUPPLIERS
RESPONSIBILITIES
To classify a product as a controlled
or uncontrolled product

Apply supplier label to all controlled

products sold

Provide a Material Safety Data

Sheet [MSDS] for controlled
products provided

EMPLOYERS
RESPONSIBILITIES
To provide the employee with:
Material Safety Data Sheets
[MSDS]
Workplace Labels
WHMIS Training

EMPLOYEES
RESPONSIBILITY
To participate in WHMIS training
To apply the knowledge in the
workplace

PHYSICAL STATES OF CHEMICALS

Solids
Liquid / Mists /
Vapours
Gases

ROUTES OF ENTRY
Hazardous Materials can enter the body through

Inhalatio
n
Ingestion
Absorpti
on

CONTROL OF HAZARDS
Hazards in the workplace can be controlled

At the
Source
Along the
Path

TYPES OF PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT

Eye Glasses
Face Shields
Apron
Dust Mask
Cartridge Respirator
Gloves
Supplied Air
Respirator
Chemical Footwear
Full Body Suit

CHOOSING THE CORRECT

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Consult the Materials Safety Data Sheet
[MSDS]
Review Supplier Label or Workplace Label on
the controlled product being used

Ask your supervisor for assistance if necessary