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
Sandy.Bello@ccohs.ca
www.ccohs.ca

WHMIS After GHS for Employers

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