Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
People commonly work near or with many different hazardous materials. A hazardous material is any material that is potentially dangerous to human health and safety when misused or mishandled. Paints, solvents, acids, gasoline, compressed gases such as propane, and liquid cleaning products such as bleach are just a few of the hazardous chemicals workers are exposed to on a regular basis.
In Canada, the Workers Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS), is a hazard communication system that ensures Canadian workers are provided with sufficient information to understand the hazards of the chemicals they may be exposed to in their workplace. This course covers how chemicals are classified under WHMIS, the health hazards and physical hazards outlined by the WHMIS, chemical hazard pictograms and statements on labels and SDSs, employer requirements, and employee rights and responsibilities.
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Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the purpose of WHMIS
- Describe how chemical hazards are classified
- Describe employer requirements under WHMIS
- Identify and describe the health and physical hazards outlined by WHMIS
- Identify chemical hazards from pictograms and statements on container labels
- Describe your rights and responsibilities as an employee
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video |
| Based on: | WHMIS 2015 |
Key Questions
What is GHS?
GHS stands for the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. It is a worldwide system that provides a common set of rules for classifying and labeling hazardous chemicals and standardizing the format and information contained in safety data sheets (SDSs).
What is hazard classification?
WHMIS has rules for classifying hazardous products into different classes and categories. If a chemical exhibits a characteristic from one of the classes it is considered hazardous. Classes fall in one of two groups, health hazards, or physical hazards.
What is the difference between a class and a category?
Hazard classes identify a specific hazard, such as flammable. Categories identify the severity of that hazard with a number or letter.
Are some hazardous materials exempt from WHMIS?
Yes, some materials, such as consumer products and radioactive materials, are exempt because they are covered under alternative legislation.
What information is required on workplace labels?
Workplace labels must include the product name, safe handling precautions, and a statement to reference the SDS for more information.
Sample Video Transcript
People commonly work near or with many different hazardous materials. A hazardous material is any material which is potentially dangerous to human health and safety when misused or mishandled. Paints, solvents, acids, gasoline, compressed gases such as propane, and liquid cleaning products such as bleach are just a few of the hazardous chemicals workers can be exposed to on a regular basis. In Canada, the Workers Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS), is a hazard communication system that ensures Canadian workers are provided with sufficient information to understand the hazards of the chemicals they may be exposed to in their workplace.
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