What will we do today to prevent an incident?
Under Part 36 – Chemical and Biological Substances of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Regulation, a “chemical substance” is defined as any natural or artificial substance, whether in the form of a solid, liquid gas or vapour, other than a biological substance. Examples of chemical substances include polyethylene, ethanol, welding fume, asbestos and silica.
What’s the hazard?
Risks presented by chemical substances in the workplace are directly related to:
- the hazards associated with the particular substance
- how the substance is used in the workplace
- a worker’s susceptibility to exposure to the substance.
Serious illness and even death can result when a worker is exposed to a chemical hazard.
What can happen?
Mike, a metal casting worker, works near a casting mould on most workdays. Whenever the mould is opened to release a casting, silica dust is released, exposing him and other workers at the factory. Over time, he notices that he’s getting weaker and is frequently short of breath. Mike visits the doctor who diagnoses him with silicosis of the lungs.
Based on the scenario above, here are some questions that could be used to spark discussion:
- What should be assessed before dealing with a chemical hazard such as silica?
- How could this have been prevented?
What precautions can be taken to prevent exposure to chemical hazards?
Employers must assess all the information that is practically available to them about a chemical or biological substance in the workplace, to determine if the substance creates a risk, or may create a risk, to the safety or health of a worker in the workplace. The assessment must take place in consultation with:
- the safety and health committee at the workplace;
- the safety and health representative at the workplace; or
- when there is no committee or representative, the workers at the workplace.
An employer must:
develop and implement safe work procedures respecting the use, production, storage, handling and disposal of any chemical or biological substance that an assessment under Part 36.2 of the WSH Regulation has determined creates a risk, or may create a risk, to the safety or health of a worker in the workplace;
train workers in the safe work procedures; and
ensure that workers comply with the safe work procedures.
An employer must reassess a chemical or biological substance in accordance with the requirements of subsection 36.2(1) of the WSH Regulation if
- there is a change
- in conditions in the workplace, or
- in the health or physical condition of a worker known to the employer; or
- new information about the substance becomes available to the employer.
Other resources:
An additional SAFE Work Manitoba resource on chemical hazards is the
Guideline for Chemical and Biological Substances in the Workplace. For additional information, refer to Part 36 – Chemical and Biological Substances and Part 35 – Workplace Hazardous Products Information Systems of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Regulation
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For more information: Call 204-957-SAFE (7233) or toll-free 1-855-957-SAFE (7233).
