The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, in effect across Canada, was designed to protect the health and safety of workers. WHMIS gives every person the right to know about the hazards of materials they work with and provides the means to find out that information, through labels, material safety data sheets, worker training and education.

General

The six classes of controlled products are:

Class A—Compressed Gas

Class B—Flammable and Combustible Material

Class C—Oxidizing Material

Class D—Poisonous and Infectious Material

Materials causing immediate and serious toxic effects

Materials causing other toxic effects

Bio-hazardous Infectious Material

Class E—Corrosive Material

Class F—Dangerously Reactive Material

Workers are to be informed of any hazardous material they will be working with or near.  They will be provided with the information and training necessary to protect themselves and other workers through the safe handling, use, transportation and storage of the material.  All hazardous materials will be labeled as such, and Material Safety Data Sheets will be available both at the job site and at the office.

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheets must accompany any hazardous material on site at all times. Workers can review the MSDS at any time if unsure of what material consists of.

The MSDS should provide:

• Product information

• Hazardous ingredients

• Physical data

• Fire explosive data

• Reactivity data

• Information of health effects

• Prevention measures

• First aid measures

Labels

Supplier labels must appear on any controlled products on site or entering the site.

The label must include:

• Product name

• Proper hazard symbols

• Risks

• Precautions

• First aid measures

• Supplier identification

• Statement that MSDS is available

Workplace labels must appear on containers where the material produced on site or transported from supplier containers to on site containers.

Worker Training

Workers should have WHMIS training. It is important for the worker to know procedures in transportation, storage, and handling of the hazardous material they come in contact with. It is also very important to know emergency procedures.

Health and Safety

Company Policy Statement, Roles and Responsibilities ● Injury Prevention ● Common Job-site Hazards, Housekeeping ● Emergency Procedures, First Aid Treatment ● WHMIS ● Assessing the Degree of Hazard, Working with Hazardous Gases ● Common Health Hazards in the Mechanical Trade, Workplace Specific Information ● Worker Statement, Sub-contractor Statement