Training Room 2

As you learned in Training Room 1, WHMIS is part of the administrative controls put in place to reduce risks that come with using controlled materials, or chemicals, in your workplace. You also learned that other controls, such as using the correct personal protective equipment, is important when using controlled substances.

 

Can you think of other controls of chemical hazards that you identified while completing Training Room 1?

 

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

 

You will recall from Training Room 1 that WHMIS is organized into three areas:

• labels
• Materials Safety Data Sheets
• worker education

It is time to learn a little more about each area.

 

Labels

 

How do you identify a controlled product? Labels are the key. WHMIS labels provide information a worker needs in order to handle a product safely. At your workplace you will need to know about the WHMIS symbols used on labels and the six classes of controlled products.

 

There are two types of labels used to identify hazardous chemicals: supplier labels and workplace labels.

 

Supplier labels are put on controlled products by the suppliers of hazardous materials. Supplier labels are easy to recognize because they have a slash-marked border.There are seven pieces of information on supplier labels.

 

Workplace labels are used only by employers and workers. Workplace labels must give workers the information they need to handle the product safely. There is no standard form for workplace labels. There are three pieces of information on workplace labels.

 

Discover the WHMIS symbols and their meanings in "Introduction to WHMIS Terms".

 

 

Materials Safety Data Sheets

 

Materials Safety Data Sheets are also known on the job site as MSDS. Does this sound uninteresting and like something other people will take care of on the job? In fact, MSDS are used by workers like you, often as part of their daily work life. MSDS can be a key resource for you on the job, especially if you are handling hazardous chemicals that are controlled products.

 

MSDS must be

• completed for each controlled product at the work site
• kept in a place that is easily accessible for the workers

There are nine pieces of information that should be on a MSDS.

 

View “Appendix 5A—The 9-section MSDS” to see a sample format for a MSDS. A completed generic MSDS can also be viewed at “Appendix 5C—Example of a Completed Generic MSDS.” Note that all of a work site’s MSDS are usually kept in a binder labelled “MSDS.” You should be familiar with the format of the MSDS that your workplace uses.

 

Education

 

By law, it is your employer’s duty to provide training when you work directly with or in the proximity of controlled products. There are six components of WHMIS worker-education training.

 

Keep these five actions in mind to protect yourself around hazardous products.

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Now you know a lot about WHMIS and how is it used in the workplace. View the last six minutes of this video “Making WHMIS Work (Part 2).” You will need information from this video to complete Training Room 2 Project.

 

 

You can also watch WHMIS (Series: SafetyCare) to learn more about the classes of controlled products, hazard symbols, labeling, and MSDS.

 

 

Need even more information about WHMIS? The “WHMIS at Work” booklet from WorkSafe BC contains the basics of WHMIS. The booklet also includes responsibilities of suppliers, employers, and workers, and plans for how to use WHMIS at work. This booklet might be a big help when you are creating your Chemical Safety Reference Sheet.