WHMIS

- WHMIS 2015 Basics

- Label Requirement for Hazardous Chemicals
- Safety Data Sheet Formatting Procedures

INTRODUCTION
Right to Understand
Everyone is entitled to work in a safe and healthy place. And as an employee, you have a right to
understand the hazardous chemicals in your workplace. You also have a right to understand what you
may be exposed to, and how to protect yourself.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), your employer is legally obligated to provide you
with information about chemical hazards. This course is designed to help you understand how to protect
yourself from them.

Chemical Exposure Affects Your Health and Safety

Chemicals exposure may cause or contribute to many serious health effects, such as:
● Heart ailment
● Kidney and lung damage
● Sterility
● Cancer
● Burns
● Rashes

Following WHMIS 2015 Will Protect You

Following WHMIS 2015 standards will help protect you from both short-term and long-term health risks
from improper chemical handling.

Even absorbing small amounts of chemicals into your body on a regular basis can eventually lead to
serious health problems, such as lung damage and cancer, which are chronic effects. Chronic effects of
most chemicals are unknown. So, always take precautions.

WHMIS is Aligning with GHS

The classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals can vary from country to country. And since
products cross borders during import and export processes, this can be difficult for governments to
regulate. It’s also hard to enforce and is known to be costly for workplaces.

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) creates a standard, consistent system, resulting in improved
hazard information for employers, workers, and emergency responders.

GDS Adopted by Canada

The Canadian Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is in the process of aligning
with GHS standards.

Until all products are transitioned, you are required to be trained in both the older system - known as
WHMIS 1988 - and the new system now known as WHMIS 2015. The deadline for this transition is
December 1, 2018.
Suppliers also are gradually transitioning to the GHS standards for labeling and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
As a result, you will gradually see products appear with the new WHMIS 2015 standards in the
workplace. And for a time, you may see both systems (Labels and MSDS/SDS) at your workplace.

WHMIS 2015 Training

Training in WHMIS 2015 is required for all employees who:
● May be exposed to hazardous products due to work activities such as cleaning and maintenance.
● Use, store, handle or dispose of a hazardous product.
● Supervisors manage workers who may be exposed to hazardous products.
● Are involved in emergencies involving hazardous products such as a spill response.

WHMIS 2015 BASICS

Health Effects
Health effects from exposure are classified as:
● Acute effects - these develop from a single exposure, or multiple exposures occurring within a
short time. They include severe symptoms which develop quickly after exposure.
● Chronic effects - these develop over time from a single exposure or development from
prolonged or repeated exposures.

Hazardous Chemicals
The Hazardous Products Regulations set out specific hazard classification criteria. If a product covered by
the Hazardous Products Act meets the criteria to be included in a hazard class or category, it’s considered
a “hazardous product,” and is covered by the WHIMIS 2015.

A hazardous chemical is any chemical which is classified as:

● Physical hazards or a health hazard
● Simple asphyxiant - or agent that can cause suffocation
● Combustible dust
● Pyrophoric gas, which can ignite spontaneously on contact with air
● Hazard not otherwise classified

Hazardous Chemicals Common in Schools:

● Laboratory reagents - most of which are covered by WHMIS 2015
● Cleaning products - some of which are covered by WHMIS 2015
The following are also common examples of hazardous chemicals, though few are controlled under
WHMIS 2015:
● Aerosols
● Glues and adhesives
● Paint, varnishes, and stains
● Gas cylinders
● Developers and fixers

Consumer Products
Products manufactured for household use for often used in the workplace.
● Examples include household products like glass cleaner used by custodians, or sugar being used
for an experiment by a chemistry teacher.
● In some cases, these products may have hazardous properties and are labeled according to other
legislation. Although not covered under WHMIS 2015, your employer still must provide
education and training on the safe use of these products.

Products NOT covered by WHMIS 2015

Products that are not covered by WHMIS 2015 include:
● Explosives - as defined in the Explosives Act
● Cosmetics, devices, drugs, or foods - as defined in the Food and Drugs Act
● Per control products - as defined in the Pest Control Products Act
● Consumer Products - as defined in the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
● Wood or products made of wood
● Nuclear substances - within the meaning of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (radioactive)
● Hazardous waste - being a hazardous product that is sold for recycling or recovery and is
intended for disposal
● Tobacco and tobacco products - as defined in the Tobacco Act
● Manufactured articles

Employer Responsibilities
Under WHMIS 2015, employers have a responsibility to:
● Provide training and education to employees on physical and health hazards and protective
measures.
● Train employers who will be working with - or in proximity to - hazardous products.
● Train staff who supervise or manage workers who may be exposed to, use, store, handle or
dispose of a hazardous product.
● Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances.
● Maintain an inventory of chemicals in the workplace.
● Assess the likelihood of chemical exposure.
● Provide workplace labels.
● Ensure SDSs are provided.
Worker Responsibilities
As an employee, you have a responsibility to:
● Take every precaution to protect yourself.
● Participate in the WHMIS 2015 education and training.
● Apply the knowledge learned in the workplace.
● Follow all procedures and policies relating to chemicals.
● Refrain from operations involving hazardous chemicals without proper instruction and/or
instruction,
● Seek out and request information.
● Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
● Report accidents immediately, minor injures or exposures

Don’t Put Yourself At Risk

Always familiarize yourself with the chemical hazards in your workplace. Using chemicals improperly can
endanger you and those around you.

By failing to use the correct procedures designated for each chemical product you use, you can put
yourself at risk for:
● Injury to yourself
● Injury to others
● Damage to the environment

Use your Training

By knowing the hazards associated with chemicals in your workplace, you can minimize the chances of
serious injuries resulting from improper handling.

Your employer is required by law to provide you with the training and equipment you need to handle
chemicals safely. The law also requires you to use this training and equipment to keep yourself and
others safe.

If you’re not sure how to handle a particular chemical, check with your supervisor before proceeding.
And always read the product label and review the SDS before using any chemicals.

Proper Chemical Handling

Proper chemical handling involves more than wearing personal protective equipment, although that’s
also an important component. To handle chemicals in the safest manner possible, you must know how
chemicals react with other chemicals. You also must know how they react to simple things in the
environment, such as air and water.

Use Common Sense to Stay Safe

When handling chemicals:
● Read labels and follow their directions.
 ● Think about consequences.
● Treat all substances as if they are hazardous.
● Never mix chemicals, or use an unlabelled product.
● Never eat while handling or using chemicals.
● Practice good chemical hygiene.

LABEL REQUIREMENT FOR HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

Origin of GHS: The Purple Book
The GHS is not a regulation or a standard. Instead, the GHS, referred to as The Purple Book, establishes
an agreed-upon hazard classification and communication provisions, as well as information on how to
apply the system.

This document was developed by UNESCO, a United Nations Organization composed of people from
many countries around the world. Each country then decided what parts of GHS it wants to include in its
own standards.

Ask Questions if you aren’t Sure

It’s important to pay attention to all labels you encounter. Read them thoroughly and ask questions or
consult the SDS if a label’s instructions aren’t clear. Remember, labels are your first line of defense
against accident and injury.

Supplier Labels
The supplier is the label you’ll likely see most often. Each is required by law to provide certain hazard
information. But supplier labels may not contain all the information you need to know in an emergency.
Always check the SDS for the product if you require more information.

Supplier labels must be in English and French. They may be bilingual, as one label, or presented as two
labels - one each in English and French.

Labels and Safety Data Sheets

Both supplier labels and workplace labels provide information on the hazards and controls of the
hazardous product you’re using. If you need more information, read the SDS for the product.

Your employer is required to make SDSs available to you for all hazardous products in your workplace.
And all employees should have easy access to this information.

Product Label Requirements

Supplier labels must show the following information:
● Product identifier or name of the chemical
● Signal word - usually Danger! Or Warning! - which alert the reader to health, physical, and
environmental hazards, and indicate the level of severity of the hazard
● Hazard statement - which described the nature of the hazard as well as its level of severity.
 ● Pictogram - shown with a white background and a red border.
● Precautionary statements, and/or pictograms - which describe recommended measures that
should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to improper
storage or handling of a hazardous product.
● Name, address, and phone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other
responsible parties.

Supplier Label Requirements: Signal Words

The signal words Danger! Or Warning! are used to emphasize the hazard and discriminate between
levels of hazard.

Revised WHMIS Standard Label Requirements

Hazard Statements
There should be a single harmonized hazard statement for each level of hazard within each hazard class.

Example
If we’re the hazard statement levels of flammable liquids:
● Category 01: Extremely flammable liquid vapor
● Category 02: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
● Category 03: Flammable liquid and vapor
● Category 04: Combustible liquid

Precautionary Statements
Precautionary statements describe recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent
adverse effects resulting from exposure to, improper storage of or handling of a hazardous product.

Other Information Often Found on Labels

Other information found on labels cannot detract from WHMIS 2015 required information. This includes
information such as:
● Appropriate protective equipment
● Flashpoint, if applicable
● Batch number/specifications
● Use statements
● Quantity of chemical
● Expiration date
● First-aid or antidote
● Instructions in case of fire, spill, or leak
● Instructions for contained handling and storage
● Bar codes
● Instruction in case of contact or exposure

WHMIS 2015 Classification and Labeling of Chemicals Requirements

Hazards Classification for WHMIS 2015 comprises three groups:
1. Physical hazards
2. Health hazards
3. Environmental hazards

Hazard Groups are made up of classes which contain categories.

Hazard Groups → Classes → Categories

WHMIS 2015 Pictograms

Hazard pictograms are one of the key elements for the labeling of chemicals under the WHMIS 2015. 9
pictograms are used to convey the health, physical, and environmental hazards.
● The Biohazardous symbol is the 10th symbol. This is retained from the original WHMIS 1988
system.

Pictogram Classes and Categories

Pictograms are assigned to a hazard class and category. Categories are indicated by numbers - with 1 the
most severe, and 5 being the least. The following screens show hazard pictograms with their classes and
categories that will be part of chemical labels. In some pictograms, the terms “types” and “divisions” are
used with corresponding letters or numbers - these are further subdivisions of categories.

You don’t have to have this information memorized, but you should know how to easily access if it
needed. Ask your supervisor if you don’t know where to find information about pictograms.

Pictograms, Hazard Classes, and Categories

● Exploding Bomb
- flammable explosives
- flammable aerosols
- many others
● Flame
- flammable
- pyrophoric
- others.
● Flame Over Circle
- oxidizers
● Gases Under Pressure
- gas cylinders: gases have not been given a rating system yet. They are classified as
Compressed Gases, Liquefied Gases, Refrigerated Gases, and Dissolved Gases.
● Corrosion
- skin corrosion
- burns
- eye damage
- corrosive to metals
 ● Skull and Crossbones
- acute toxicity

● Health Hazard
- carcinogen
- mutagenicity
- others

● Exclamation Mark
- acute toxicity
- skin corrosions/irritation
- many others

● Environmental
Enforced by other legislation in Canada therefore a pictogram is non-mandatory.
Manufacturers may include chemicals with this rating on SDSs in Section 12, Ecological Hazards.
- acute aquatic toxicity
- chronic aquatic toxicity

● Biohazardous Infectious Material

This symbol is retained from WHMIS 1988. It’s in the older ‘circle’ format, not diamond shape.

It’s important to read and understand SDSs for the hazardous chemicals you work with. It’s your
employer’s responsibility to have an SDS on file for each hazardous chemical that’s stored in the
workplace, and for making that information available to you.

Remember, you have a right to understand hazards associated with chemicals that are in your workplace.

SAFETY DATA SHEETS: FORMATTING PROCEDURES

Safet Data Sheets
After labels, your next best sources of safety information are Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). SDSs were
formerly called Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).

An SDSs is a bulletin put out by chemical manufacturers detailing the physical hazards of a product, such
as their explosive/reactive properties, and the health hazards of the product such as causing irritation,
lung damage, or cancer.

Every product that is classified as a “hazardous product” under WHMIS 2015 that’s intended for use,
handling, or storage in a workplace in Canada must have an SDSs. An SDS is created by their supplier and
provided to the customer at the time of scale.

SDSs must be made Available

If a product is not labeled or you need more information, read the SDS for the product. Your school is
required to make SDSs available to you for all hazardous chemicals in your workplace. If you have any
questions about the SDS or product label of a product, check with your supervisor.

Safety Data Sheet Contents

SDSs must contain:
● Harmonized hazard statements
● Harmonized precautionary statements
● Pictograms, both hazard, and precautionary
● Warning words such as “Danger” or “Warning”
● 15 total sections

Required SDS Information

Identification of the Substance
Section 1 lists the identification of the substance or mixture and of the supplier. This includes the:
● Product identifier
● Recommended use of the chemical and restrictions on its use
● Supplier’s details (including name, address, phone number, etc.)
● Emergency phone number for the consumer to call

Hazard Identification
Section 2 describes the hazard identifications for the chemical, including:
● All hazards regarding the chemical.
● All required WHMIS 2015 label elements, including precautionary statements. Hazard symbols
may be provided as a graphical reproduction of the symbols in black and white or the name of
the symbol. Examples of this are a flame or skull and crossbones.
● Other hazards which don’t result in classification, such as a dust explosion hazard, or are not
covered by WHMIS 2015.

Composition
Section 2 lists the composition of and information about the ingredients of a chemical, including:
● Information about chemical ingredients
● Its common name, synonyms for it, etc.
● Chemical Abstracts Service number (CAS)
● Trade secrets claims regarding the chemical

First Aid Measures

Section 4 shows first aid measures to take in case of exposure to a harmful chemical. These include the:
● Description of necessary first-aid measures subdivided according to the different routes of
exposures, such as inhalation, skin, and eye contact, and ingestion.
● Most important symptoms and effects of exposure to the chemical, both acute and delayed.
● Indication of immediate medical attention and special treatment needed, if necessary.
Firefighting Measures
Section 5 indicated firefighting measures to take in case the chemical is ignited, including:
● Suitable and unsuitable extinguishing media
● Specific hazards arising from the chemical, such as the nature of any hazardous combustion
products
● Special protective equipment and precautions for firefighters

Accidental Release Measures

Section 6 lists accidental release measures to take in the event of a chemical spill or other unintended
release, including:
● Proper methods and materials for containment and cleanup
● Personal precautions, protective equipment, and emergency procedures

Handling and Storage

Section 7 denoted the handling and storage requirement for a chemical, including:
● Precautions for safe handling
● Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Section 8 designates the exposure controls and personal protection measures that should be taken for
the chemical, including the:
● Appropriate engineering controls - such as ventilation, hoods, facility requirements, etc.
● Permissible exposure limit, or TLVs
● PPE that may be needed

Physical and Chemical Properties

Section 9 lists the physical and chemical properties of a chemical, including its:
● Odor threshold
● Initial boiling point and boiling range
● Flashpoint
● Flammability limits also called flammable limits
● Vapour pressure
● Vapor density
● Relative density solubility or solubilities
● Upper and lower flammability limits
● Lower explosive limit (LEL)
● Upper explosive limit (UEL)
● Auto-ignition temperature or kindling point
● Decomposition tempresature

Stability and Reactivity

Section 10 describe the stability and reactivity properties of the chemical, including:
● Chemical stability: which indicated whether the chemical is stable or unstable under normal
temperatures and conditions while in storage and being handled.
● Possibility of hazardous rection: which relates to a chemical reacting with another chemical, air,
or water to yield a hazardous product.
● Conditions to avoid: such as static discharge, shock, or vibrations
● Incompatible materials: substances that should not be stored near each other because any
contact between them would cause a dangerous reaction leading to an explosion, fire, or
production of hazardous new substances.
● Hazardous decomposition products: Hazardous decomposition products are formed when a
material decomposes - or breaks down - because it’s unstable, or reacts with common materials
such as water or oxygen in the air.

Toxicological Information
Section 11 shows toxicological information regarding the chemical, including the:
● Routes of exposure, inhalation, ingestion, and skin and eye contact
● Delayed and immediate symptoms, and chronic effects from short and long-term exposure
● Numerical measures of toxicity - quantitive measures of toxicity such as estimates of acute
toxicity
● Carcinogenicity or ability to cause cancer

Sections 12-15
Sections 12 through 15 detail the following information:
● Section 12: Ecological Information
● Section 13: Disposal Considerations
● Section 14: Transport Information
● Section 15: Regulatory Information