Safety data sheets, which must be available on the work site, provide more detailed information. If the product is not a hazardous product by definition, the employer may still have to provide training, supervision, and safe work procedures. WHMIS aligned the hazards classification and communication requirements with those used in the U. WHMIS divides hazardous products into two major hazard groups: physical hazards and health hazards.
These two groups are further divided into hazard classes, which group together products with similar properties. Each hazard class contains at least one category, which is assigned a number. Categories may also be called "types," which are assigned an alphabetical letter. In a few cases, subcategories are also specific and identified with a number and a letter.
Pictograms are graphic images that, at a glance, depict the hazard s associated with a specific product. Pictograms are assigned to specific hazard classes or categories. Some lower-risk hazardous products meet the criteria for hazard classes but do not require a pictogram. The pictograms, as shown below, will be on the supplier labels and the SDS of the hazardous product. Because this hazard group is in the GHS you may see the environmental classes listed on labels and SDSs from other countries.
Hazardous products used in the workplace must be labelled. Labels alert workers to the major hazards as well as basic precautions or safety steps that should be taken. In most cases suppliers are responsible for labelling hazardous products. Employers need to ensure that all hazardous products are labelled, especially if a hazardous product is transferred from one container to another.
Supplier labels are provided or attached by the supplier of the hazardous product. Most of the label elements are standardized, and hazard classes and categories have a prescribed signal word, hazard statement s , pictogram s , and precautionary statement s. Supplier labels must be created in English and French.
Suppliers must also meet label requirements for shipping. Depending on how the product is being shipped, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act may require additional labels. Workplace labels are less detailed than supplier labels. A workplace label provides the following information about a hazardous product:. An SDS tells you:. SDSs are usually written by the manufacturer or supplier of the product. Suppliers of hazardous products must label their products and give safety data sheets before they sell or import them.
Employers must pass the information about workplace hazardous products on to their employees and provide worker education programs. It allows workers to obtain health and safety information pertaining to hazardous products used in the workplace. Workers are to use this information to reduce their exposure to hazardous materials and to take the necessary precautions to prevent any adverse outcomes associated to hazardous products.
The overall goal of WHMIS is to reduce injury and disease by communicating specific health and safety information about hazardous products in the workplace to workers.
The goal of GHS is to have a standardized set of rules for classifying hazards and labeling chemical products that is to be adopted and used globally. The ultimate goal is to create a safer workplace by providing workers with the knowledge and tools to enable them to work safely.
Easy-to-read, question-and-answer fact sheets covering a wide range of workplace health and safety topics, from hazards to diseases to ergonomics to workplace promotion. Download the free OSH Answers app. Search all fact sheets:. It is a comprehensive plan for providing information on the safe use of hazardous materials used in Canadian workplaces. Information is provided by means of product labels, material safety data sheets MSDS and worker education programs. The main components of WHMIS are hazard identification and product classification, labelling, material safety data sheets, and worker training and education.
It was created in response to the Canadian workers' right to know about the safety and health hazards that may be associated with the materials or chemicals they use at work. Exposure to hazardous materials can cause or contribute to many serious health effects such as effects on the nervous system, kidney or lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns and rashes.
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