(Intro Music)
Classification, labelling, MSDSs and worker education:
key elements of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.
Now, it's time to put this knowledge into action throughout your workplace
with the implementation of a WHMIS program.
The purpose of this module is to help you do just that.
We'll discuss who will be involved, outline an eight step approach
and discuss education and training.
We'll also provide information on additional resources
which you may find helpful.
Health and safety has always involved everyone in the workplace.
All personnel must work in a safe manner and report unsafe conditions.
Supervisors and members of Occupational Health and Safety committees
have more specific responsibilities.
WHMIS is an extension of this safety awareness
and, similarly, requires specific roles and an overall plan.
The Health and Safety Committee or representative will be involved
with management and plan development.
To implement WHMIS in your workplace, use information provided through WHMIS,
as well as information from the workplace.
WHMIS information is in the form of labelling and data sheets.
Other workplace information includes a knowledge of the hazards presented
when the product is being used.
These hazards depend on factors such as the quantities used,
work processes and work location.
For example, the hazards of spray painting with a controlled product
inside a confined space are far different from hand brushing the same product in open air.
Workplace information will also include other knowledge
the employer has about the product, such as information from industry
or trade associations, regulatory agencies or labour organizations.
How WHMIS is implemented will vary from one workplace to the next,
but the major elements of the program should be similar.
There are eight key steps to implementing WHMIS in the workplace:
assign responsibility for program implementation,
set up an inventory to determine all hazardous products in the workplace,
ensure all labelling and MSDS requirements are fulfilled,
determine the hazards of controlled products in the workplace,
establish workplace controls, establish emergency procedures,
provide worker education and training,
and review and upgrade your program when required.
As Step One in establishing your WHMIS program,
assign responsibility for putting the program in place.
One person should be appointed as the Hazardous Materials Coordinator,
responsible for coordinating all WHMIS requirements.
This person will direct the flow of workplace and supplier information,
oversee the program of worker instruction
and help ensure that follow-up and implementation occurs.
In a large firm, the job of Hazardous Materials Coordinator
may be a formally established position.
In a small firm, the position may be less formal.
In either case, to get the job done, assign the responsibility.
As Step Two, set up an inventory to identify all hazardous products in the workplace.
The purpose of an inventory is to collect data on all substances in the workplace
and to determine if they are controlled or not.
Your inventory will also reveal where and how substances are used and in what quantities,
as well as the amount of stock usually carried.
To help with the inventory, contact suppliers for assistance with products supplied.
The classification video and print material,
along with information from the WHMIS Core Material Manual,
will help you with the inventory of products produced in your firm.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
has extensive information on many hazardous products.
It's available by correspondence or computer.
With the controlled products identified,MSDS and labelling systems can then be set up.
Part of this process includes having the purchasing department or agent
request data sheets from suppliers.
As products are received, have the shipper/receiver check
the incoming labels and data sheets for compliance with WHMIS standards.
Prepare Material Safety Data Sheets for controlled products produced in the workplace
and make sure they are available to workers.
Provide labelling and other means of identification for workplace storage containers,
reaction vessels and transfer systems, such as piping.
The videos and print material produced on the label and MSDS requirements
can help you here.
The next step is to determine the specific hazards
presented by the storage, handling and use of products in the workplace.
Take into account the physical and health hazards of the products, quantities, the work processes,
where they'll be used and so on.
This evaluation will provide the basis for establishing methods
for controlling hazards in the workplace,
for example, with engineering controls
such as ventilation, process modification and isolation of the source.
Other control measures include work procedures, storage arrangements
and maintenance and time scheduling.
Personal protective equipment such as respirators, gloves
and protective clothing must be provided and used where necessary.
Personal protective equipment, however, is meant for use only in situations
where other controls are not practicable.
Establish emergency procedures.
The appropriate personnel must have the required First Aid resources
including Material Safety Data Sheets.
They will be able to apply the correct first aid measures
in the event of an injury caused by a controlled product.
The first aid statements on labels and data sheets must be clearly understood by First Aid personnel.
Firefighting and evacuation measures must be established and understood
by all personnel who may be exposed to controlled products
or who are on emergency response teams.
Use periodic drills to let them demonstrate their understanding.
Notify firefighting departments of the types of hazardous materials
they may encounter in your workplace during emergency situations
and any special firefighting methods required for the hazards involved.
Much of that information will be detailed on supplier MSDSs,
which are made available to those departments.
Procedures must be developed for handling spills or accidental release of controlled products.
Product hazard information on the data sheets and labels will be valuable for that.
With these six elements in place, the next step is to provide worker education and training,
a legislated WHMIS requirement and essential to the successful implementation of WHMIS
in your workplace.
Workers will need to be instructed if they store, handle, use or dispose of a controlled product
or supervise workers performing those duties or work near the controlled product,
such that their health and safety could be at risk during normal storage,
handling, use or disposal in maintenance operations or in emergencies.
For example, at a pulp and paper mill, where bulk quantities of chlorine gas are used,
it would be necessary to instruct all workers to recognize the presence of chlorine
and to instruct them in emergency escape procedures, as well.
More detailed instruction will be required for those working directly
with the chlorine gas system.
On the other hand, in a vehicle manufacturing or steel fabricating plant
where welding rods are used only by welders,
and if no other workers are likely to be exposed to welding fumes,
instruction will be required for those welders and appropriate supervisors,
as well as the First Aid personnel if exposure could produce acute ill health effects.
Workers selected for instruction will receive both education and training.
They will be educated in how WHMIS works and the hazards of controlled products.
The videos and print material developed for this program
are meant to help you in this effort.
In addition, there is specific WHMIS related product information
in the labels and data sheets for products at your workplace.
Workers must also be trained in the necessary safe work procedures,
emergency procedures and what to do when emissions from the product occur.
This training will vary with the worker's duties and potential for exposure.
Office personnel, for example, may be trained in evacuation procedures
in the event of a gas leak or fire on the shop floor,
while First Aid personnel will be trained in the first aid steps to take
in the case of worker exposure and measures to protect themselves from harm.
The worker who works with or is near the hazardous product
will be trained in procedures to avoid exposure, recognizing early warning signs,
steps to follow if exposed to the product and so on.
This training will be specific to the product hazards
and type of work being performed.
Step by step job procedures,
instruction in the use of ventilation systems and respiratory protection are examples.
The final step in your WHMIS implementation
is to review and upgrade the program.
You must review your WHMIS program of instruction
at least once a year and more often if necessary.
For example, if conditions at the workplace
or information on the product changes the risk to workers,
you must reevaluate the program then reinstruct workers as required.
Make sure no MSDS is more than three years old,
ensure that labels are legible, and review all workplace controls
for their effectiveness.
The employer must consult the Health and Safety Committee
or representative during both the development and the review of the instruction program.
Workers are often in the best position to know the actual problems associated
with the storage, handling and use of the product.
The participation of the Health and Safety Committee
or representative will help ensure this hands-on knowledge
becomes part of the instruction program.
Maintaining WHMIS labelling, MSDS and worker education requirements
is an ongoing effort.
Safe job procedures must be complemented with consistent upgrading of WHMIS knowledge.
The successful implementation of WHMIS in your workplace
will be the result of employers fulfilling their WHMIS responsibilities
supported by worker efforts to understand and practice safe work procedures.
WHMIS, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System,
for a safer and healthier workplace.