WHMIS After GHS for Employers

www.ccohs.ca

WHMIS After GHS for Employers

Sandy Bello, Technical Specialist Chemical Services

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety www.ccohs.ca

Today’s presentation

What is GHS? How will WHMIS change? • Classes • Labels • SDS

Timelines How to get ready?


Disclaimers for today’s presentation!

Focus on key changes to WHMIS, nothing is set in Canada yet

Not a detailed discussion of GHS Information today is as current as possible – but…


What is GHS?

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

• covers all chemical substances and

mixtures • the next step in the continuous

improvement process for hazard communication

The overall goal is effectively communicating hazards and precautions on labels and on SDSs, worldwide.


Why harmonize? / Why GHS?

Many different countries have different systems for classifying chemicals and communicating product hazards.

problems for global trade risks to workers from inconsistent or confusing hazard information


How will WHMIS change?

Once “WHMIS After GHS” has been implemented, there will be:

new classification rules and hazard classes new label requirements new hazard pictograms a standardized format for Safety Data Sheets


Supplier Employer Worker

What will stay the same?




Suppliers will:

Classify their products Prepare labels and SDSs for products Provide labels and SDSs to their customers



Employers will:

Make sure all hazardous products are properly labelled Make up-to-date SDSs readily available to workers Provide worker education and training Make sure appropriate control measures are in place to protect the health and safety of workers



Workers will:

Participate in training programs Take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their coworkers Participate in identifying and eliminating hazards


WHMIS After GHS

We’ll review:

Pictograms Hazard Classes SDSs Labels


Symbol vs. Pictogram


Pictogram Names


Hazard Groups > GHS Classes

3 hazard groups, with 28 classes (currently)

Physical hazards – 16 classes Health hazards – 10 classes Environmental hazards – 2 classes


Other

Differences

Some classes/ categories use more than one pictogram Some categories do not require a pictogram


Class and Categories

Category identifies the degree of hazard.

! Category 1 is always more hazardous than 2, 3, etc.

! The lower the category number, the greater the hazard.


Differences compared to WHMIS

GHS criteria introduce new hazards classes:

Explosives hazard Aspiration hazard Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure Hazardous to the aquatic environment Hazardous to the ozone layer


Meaningful Hazard Class Names

For example, WHMIS Poisonous and Infectious Materials (Class D2A) fall into the following GHS classes:

Reproductive toxicity

Carcinogenicity

Respiratory or skin sensitization

Germ cell mutagenicity

Specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure


However…

Be aware that Product classification may change Some products that were not controlled under WHMIS – situation could change, e.g. explosives


To remain “as protective”

Likely retained in WHMIS After GHS:

Biohazardous Infectious Material (WHMIS Class D3) Products which react with water to release a very toxic gas (part of WHMIS Class F)


Poll – True or False?


2. Hazard classes and classification criteria will remain the same.

1. GHS will not replace WHMIS, but it will cause WHMIS to change in many ways.


Classification after GHS implementation

Once classified, GHS uses standardized items Pictograms Signal words Hazard statements Precautionary statements


Signal Words

Only one will be used on the label Danger Warning (or none)


Hazard Statements

Examples: Extremely flammable gas. Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated. Fatal if inhaled. May cause cancer. Suspected of causing cancer. Tip! Wording of the hazard statement helps describe the degree of the hazard


Precautionary Statements

Advice on how to minimize or control hazards (storage, use, first aid, PPE, emergency)

Keep container tightly closed. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion.

Tip! May not identify all of the necessary control measures. Check the SDS for more information.


Label Elements

1. Product identifier 2. Hazardous ingredients ? 3. Hazard pictograms 4. Signal word 5. Hazard statement 6. Precautionary

statements 7. Supplier identification

? Reference to SDS Border


Supplier Labels – Elements

Ingredients may NOT be required

May NOT be retained

May NOT be retained

(pictogram)


Cleans Super Great (hazardous ingredients)

Highly flammable liquid and vapour. Causes serious eye irritation. Causes mild skin irritation. May cause an allergic skin reaction.

May cause drowsiness or dizziness. May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways. Precautions: Keep away from heat/ sparks/ open flames/ hot surfaces - No smoking. Take precautionary measures against static discharge. Ground/bond container and receiving equipment. Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/ light/and other equipment. Use only non-sparking tools. Keep container tightly closed. Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool. Store locked up. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

Avoid breathing mist or vapors. Wear protective gloves/eye protection/face protection. Wash any contaminated body parts thoroughly after handling. Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.

Response: IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Call a Poison Center or doctor/physician if you feel unwell. IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off all contaminated clothing immediately. Rinse skin with water/shower. If skin irritation or a rash occurs get medical advice/attention. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse. IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do – continue rinsing. If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention. IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a Poison Center or doctor/physician. Do NOT induce vomiting. IN CASE OF FIRE: Use Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder or appropriate foam for extinction. Disposal: Dispose of contents/container following local regulations for flammable and hazardous materials ABC Chemical Company, 123 Main Street East, Anytown, ON

Danger

Uncertain: refer to SDS, ingredients


Workplace Label?

WHMIS workplace labels must have: product identifier (product name) information for the safe handling of the product statement that the MSDS is available …and may contain the pictograms.

Requirements after GHS may be the same


SDSs

16-section SDS GHS classification required Label text and pictograms required

Advantage: Information for users is easier to find since all SDS will have the same layout.


Remain the same

Suppliers must provide SDSs to customers All SDSs are available to all workers Updates required when new information is available Confidential business information requirements

Updates every three years (“under review”)

?


Quick Review

GHS 16-section format SDSs are already allowed for use in Canada.

1. Yes

2. No

3. Yes, but must have WHMIS required information

4. Don’t know


WHMIS/GHS Timelines

Completed or nearing completion … Consultation and Economic analysis

Proposed legislation – Spring 2013 Hazardous Product Act & Regulations in Gazette I Final Legislation - 2014 New WHMIS rules in force – June 2015 Provincial OSH Regulations updated – June 2016 • Likely to have a transition period


How to get ready…

Employers Workers


Employers

Take an awareness course, but recognize rules are not finalized!

Will need to update worker training:

New hazard classes New label format and pictograms SDS – how to use Continue to train on workplace hazards!


Employers

Ask for WHMIS labels on products during the until dates are known Good practices for WHMIS program • Accurate inventory is critical • Review MSDS / SDS • Watch as products arrive and adjust program

as necessary Choose safer products to simplify training, improve safety


Workers

Be aware that WHMIS / GHS is changing – but not yet!

WHMIS Responsibilities stay the same Participate in training programs Protect yourself and co-workers Participate in identifying and controlling hazards


Check? More Information...

•CCOHS Inquiries Service – 1-800-668-4284

•GHS OSH Answer

•GHS Pictograms and Hazards Poster •WHMIS after GHS e-course Introduction

•WHMIS after GHS publication

•WHMIS after GHS Fact Sheets


Any other questions?


Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Thank You For further information:

1-800-668-4284 905-570-8094

[email protected]

www.ccohs.ca

WHMIS After GHS for Employers

Health & Medicine

Transcript of WHMIS After GHS for Employers