What will we do today to prevent an incident? 
Under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 2015), employers must ensure hazardous products are safely used, handled and stored in the workplace, as required by federal, provincial and territorial legislation. They must ensure these products are properly labelled, safety data sheets (SDS) are available to all workers and workers are properly educated and trained on the safe use, handling and storage of the hazardous products.
What’s the hazard?
Under WHMIS 2015, a hazardous product is any product that falls under a category or sub-category in one or more of the hazard classes described in the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR). Hazards under WHMIS 2015 are grouped into two major types:
- Physical hazards: based on the physical or chemical properties of the product (for example, flammability or reactivity)
- Health hazards: based on the ability of the product to cause a health effect (for example, acute toxicity or respiratory toxicity)
What can happen?
Grace, a line cook, was using a concentrated degreaser to clean her stove top. Grace was not trained on safely handling the chemical, including the proper personal protective equipment required when using it. Upon pouring the degreaser on the stove top, it splashed into her eyes, causing minor burns.Based on the scenario above, here are some questions that could be used to spark discussion:
- How could this have been avoided?
- Are you aware of the location of your workplace SDS binder?
- Have you been trained on WHMIS 2015?
What can be done to prevent chemical injuries in the workplace?
To prevent chemical injuries from occurring in the workplace, a WHMIS program must be developed and implemented in the following ways:
Appoint a co-ordinator responsible for developing and implementing a WHMIS program.
Determine which controlled products are used in the workplace.
Obtain current SDS for controlled products from the supplier or manufacturer.
Create a master copy of all the SDS in the workplace, designate a location where it will be kept and make it available to all workers.
Ensure controlled products have proper supplier labels or appropriate workplace labels.
Develop safe work procedures.
Develop a workplace-specific WHMIS training program for workers. Update and revise it on a regular basis.
Train workers to handle, use and store existing workplace chemicals safely.
Note: All SDS must be kept for 30 years from the date they were received or produced.
Other resources:
Some additional SAFE Work Manitoba resources on WHMIS 2015 include the WHMIS 2015 guides for
employers and
workers.
Share your ideas! If you have an idea for Shop Talk that you think others would benefit from, we’d like to hear about it. Email us: information@safeworkmanitoba.ca.
For more information: 204-957-SAFE (7233) or toll-free 1-855-957-SAFE (7233).
