CANADIAN G.H.S.

WORKER

TRAINING 2015

No Canada isn't getting rid of

WHIMIS we are enhancing it for

your safety

On February 11, 2015, the Government of Canada published in the Canada Gazette, Part II the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR), which, in addition to the amendments made to the Hazardous Products Act under the Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No.1, modified the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 1988 to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) for workplace chemicals. This modified WHMIS is referred to as WHMIS 2015. The Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the Ingredient Disclosure List have been repealed.

• While WHMIS 2015 includes new harmonized criteria for hazard classification and requirements for labels and safety data sheets (SDS), the roles and responsibilities for suppliers, employers and workers have not changed.

• Suppliers, defined as persons who, in the course of business, sell or import a hazardous product, will continue to:

• identify whether their products are hazardous products; and,

• prepare labels and SDSs and provide these to purchasers of hazardous products intended for use in a workplace.

Employers will continue to:

• educate and train workers on the hazards and safe use of hazardous products in the workplace;

• ensure that hazardous products are properly labelled;

• prepare workplace labels and SDSs (as necessary); and,

• ensure appropriate control measures are in place to protect the health and safety of workers.

Workers will continue to:

• participate in WHMIS and chemical safety training programs;

• take necessary steps to protect themselves and their co-workers; and,

• participate in identifying and controlling hazards.

GHS IN CANADA

ROYAL ASSENTRoyal Assent is the method by which a country's

constitutional monarch formally approves an act of

that nation's parliament, thus making it a law or

letting it be promulgated as law

Hazard Communication and Globally

Harmonized System (GHS) the purple

book!

• The GHS is an acronym for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

• The elements in the GHS meet the basic requirement of any hazard communication system, which is to decide if the chemical product produced and/or supplied is hazardous and to prepare a label and/or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) as appropriate.

• The US will incorporate GHS through OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200.

• Canada updated and approved legislation in February 2015

?

ADG

Co

de

WHMIS

(Canada)

European

Union

• Hazard symbols / pictograms

What do all these symbols mean?

• The ADG Code has no symbol for chronic/severe health

effects.

• The GHS standardises these symbols on labels/SDS

Why was the GHS developed?

Phase-in Period for GHS into Hazard

Communication Standard

Current WHMIS 2015 Legislation Requirements

Acts

Hazardous Products Act (HPA)

Hazardous Materials Information Review Act (HMIRA)

Regulations

Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR)

Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) - Repealed

Ingredient Disclosure List (IDL) - Repealed

Hazardous Materials Information Review Regulations

(HMIRR) - Repealed

The transition to Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015, which implements the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals in WHMIS, does not alter the elements of the claim for exemption evaluation and process as they relate to the validity of a claim. However, the criteria used to determine the compliance of an (material) safety data sheet ((M)SDS)/label have changed significantly as the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) has been amended, and the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) have been repealed and replaced with the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR), effective February 11th, 2015. In addition, consequential amendments have been made to both the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act (HMIRA), and the Hazardous Materials Information Review Regulations (HMIRR) to reflect and support the revised HPA/HPR.

Transition begins the day that the amended HPA and new HPR come into force. To allow stakeholders adequate time to prepare for the new system, a top down approach with three main phases of implementation has been adopted. For more information on the WHMIS transition from WHMIS 1988 to WHMIS 2015, click here.Claims with a validity period beginning before the transition period remain valid for the established duration. There is no need to refile a claim with Health Canada during the validity period. There is also no need to refile a claim with Health Canada when the claimant makes the transition from WHMIS 1988 compliance to WHMIS 2015 compliance.The claims process has not changed as a result of this transition; however, some of the forms have been amended to support the implementation of the HPR and the transitional period. Of note, it is now necessary to indicate on the form whether the SDS and label with the claim submission are intended to be compliant with WHMIS 1988 or with WHMIS 2015.Note: For a certain time period, suppliers and employers making claims for exemption under the HMIRA may file claims with (M)SDS(s) and labels complying with either WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015. However,•as of June 1, 2016, Health Canada will only accept supplier claims under the HMIRA with WHMIS 2015 (GHS) Safety Data Sheets (SDSs); and•as of December 2017, Health Canada will only accept employer claims with WHMIS 2015 (GHS) SDSs and labels.

Standard for General Industry (Before

GHS)

Requires an employer to:

1. Have a written hazard communication program.

2. Have each hazardous chemical in the workplace

appropriately labeled.

3. Have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for

each hazardous chemical in the workplace.

4. Train his/her employees about the hazards

associated with and precautionary measures

required for each hazardous chemical in the

workplace. Training is required initially

and anytime a new hazardous chemical is

introduced into the workplace.

• The GHS of Classifying and Labelling of Chemicals:

• Comprehensive tool that harmonises chemical

classification and hazard communication.

What is the GHS?

• Harmonised criteria for classification – physical, health and

environmental

• Applies criteria to classify chemicals based on intrinsic

hazards

• Covers single substances, solutions and mixtures.

• Communicates hazard information of hazardous chemicals

on labelling and safety data sheets.

• Hazard classes

• Symbols, signal words and hazard and precautionary

phrases

• Standardised Safety Data Sheet format.

• Some changes to systems are required and will be obvious

to end users.

• Training for staff to understand GHS

Why was the GHS developed?

• Many different systems existed worldwide, with differing

requirements:

• Vary in hazards covered and classification criteria used

• Information required on labels and SDS varied

• Result = disparity in the information provided.

• Some countries have little or no requirements in force.

• Often levels of literacy are low

• Desire to improved the safety outcomes in these

countries?

• Hazards are an intrinsic property of a chemical. Classification

should be consistent!

• Often leads to conflicting and inconsistent classifications and

safety information:

• Chemicals are often classified differently (even in the same

country).

• Labelling and SDS requirements vary from country to

country.

SDS - Safety Data Sheet. SDS is the term used by GHS for Material

Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Hazard group - While not given a formal definition, GHS divides

hazards into three major groups - health, physical and environmental.

Class - Class is the term used to describe the different types of

hazards. For example, Gases under Pressure is an example of a class

in the physical hazards group.

Category - Category is the name used to describe the sub-sections of

classes. For example, Self-Reactive Chemicals have 7 categories.

Each category has rules or criteria to determine what chemicals are

assigned to that category. Categories are assigned numbers (or letters)

with category 1 (or A) being the most hazardous.

Hazard Statement - For each category of a class, a standardized

statement is used to describe the hazard. For example, the hazard

statement for chemicals which meet the criteria for the class Self-

heating substances and mixtures, Category 1 is Self-heating; may

catch fire. This hazard statement would appear both on the label and

on the SDS.

Precautionary Statement - These statements are standardized

phrases that describe the recommended steps to be taken to minimize

or prevent adverse effects from exposure to or resulting from improper

handling or storage of a hazardous product.

Signal word - There are two signal words in the GHS system - Danger

and Warning. These signal words are used to communicate the level of

hazard on both the label and the SDS. The appropriate signal word to

use is set out by the classification system. For example, the signal

word for Self-heating substances and mixtures, Category 1 is Danger

while Warning is used for the less serious Category 2. There are

categories where no signal word is used.

Pictogram - Pictogram refers to the GHS symbol on the label and

SDS. Not all categories have a symbol associated with them.

Safety Data Sheets and Labels: The general concept of communicating the

hazards of a product on a label and safety data sheet (SDS) through pictures and

statements that convey messages about hazards, precautions and first aid

measures remains the same under the new HPR. However, different pictograms

and statements are required under the HPR than were required under the CPR.

The Information Elements Required on a WHMIS 2015 SDS and the Information

Elements Required on a WHMIS 2015 label provide guidance on the

requirements for SDSs and labels under the HPR.

Exemptions: In the HPR, some of the previous CPR exemptions were removed

(e.g., flavours and fragrances), some were retained with modification (e.g., an

exemption from labelling requirements for imported hazardous products that are

to be labelled in accordance with the Regulations prior to being sold or used in a

workplace), and a few new exemptions were created (e.g., bailing a product for

the purpose of transportation). See the HPR Exemptions for highlights of some of

the exemptions that are included in the HPR.

Variances: Canada and the United States (U.S.) as a commitment through the

Regulatory Cooperation Council are working to keep the variances between the

two countries to an absolute minimum. The variances that remain are necessary

in order to either maintain the current level of protections afforded to Canadian

workers or to respect the framework of the Canadian legislation and regulations.

Through the implementation of GHS, it is now possible to meet both Canadian

and U.S. requirements using a single label and SDS for each hazardous product.

Refer to the Variances Between the HPR and the U.S. Hazard Communication

Standard 2012 for highlights of some key variances between the HPR and the

U.S. requirements.

GHS – What Will Not

change…

• We still have to keep chemical

inventories

• We still have to maintain safety data

sheets

• We still have to train new people on the

potential hazards of what they will be

working with

• We still have to maintain our records for

30 years, per Government Regulations

Label Requirements

• Labels are required to have:

• Pictograms

• Signal Words

• Hazard Statement

• Precautionary Statements

• Product Identifier

• Supplier Identification

• Supplemental Information (as

required)

GHS PICTOGRAMS

• Nine pictograms will be utilized in

identifying hazards of ALL chemicals

• Each chemical will have AT LEAST one

pictogram, often multiple pictograms – to

visually convey the hazards associated

with it

• We need to be familiar with the

meaning(s) of each pictogram

• Labels and safety data sheets will not always

include that information, understanding these

is critical

• Radiological & Environmental Management

(REM) will provide pictogram reference cards

to post in work areas for future reference

GHS - PICTOGRAMS

Labels - Precautionary

Statements

• Recommend measures that should

be taken to minimize or prevent

adverse effects resulting from

exposure to the hazardous

chemical:

• There are four types of

precautionary statements:

1. Prevention (to minimize

exposure)

2. Response (in case of accidental

spillage or exposure)

3. Storage

4. Disposal

Labels - Supplemental

Information

• The supplier may provide

additional instructions, expiration

date, fill date or information that it

deems helpful.

• An example is the personal

protective equipment (PPE)

pictogram indicating what to wear.

Labels - Examples of PPE

pictograms

Label Example

Secondary Labels

• Whenever a chemical is taken

from its original container, the

container it is transferred into must

have a secondary label affixed to

identify its contents

• USA utilizes the National Fire

Protection Association (NFPA) 704

Diamond for secondary labeling

Secondary Labels

for products from the USA

• Health

• Flammability

• Reactivity

• Additional Information

• Numbering

• 4 = Most Hazardous

• 0 = Least Hazardous}

Chemical

Owner Date

Types of Hazards

• Explosives

• Flammable Gases

• Flammable

Aerosols

• Gases Under

Pressure

• Flammable

Liquids

• Flammable Solids

• Self-Reactives

• Pyrophoric

Liquids

• Pyrophoric Solids

• Self-Heating

Substances

• Water Reactive

• Oxidizing Liquids

• Oxidizing Solids

• Oxidizing Gases

• Organic Peroxides

• Corrosive to

Metals

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

Types of Hazards

HEALTH HAZARDS

• Acute Toxicity

• Skin Corrosion/Irritation

• Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation

• Respiratory or Skin Sensitization

• Germ Cell Mutagenicity

• Carcinogenicity

• Reproductive Toxicology

• Target Organ Systemic Toxicity - Single

Exposure

• Target Organ Systemic Toxicity -

Repeated Exposure

• Aspiration Toxicity

Types of Hazards

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

• Hazardous to the Aquatic

Environment

• Acute Aquatic Toxicity

• Chronic Aquatic Toxicity

• Bioaccumulation potential

• Rapid degradability

Types of Hazards

HAZARD RATING SCALE

• Hazard classification will be

assessed by manufacturers and

suppliers with a hazard rating

scale

• Scale of 1-5 (1 being the most

hazardous and 5 being the least

hazardous)

• NFPA has not adopted the GHS scale

• NFPA scale is opposite 4 - 0

Composition/Ingredient

Information

• Identifies the chemical ingredient(s),

information on substances, mixtures

and trade secret claims:

• Chemical name

• Common name and synonyms

• Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)

number impurities and stabilizing

additives classifications which contribute

to the chemical classification

• The chemical name and concentration of

all ingredients which are classified as

health hazards

Exposure Control/Personal

Protection

• Provides information on how to

minimize worker exposure:

• Control parameters

• Government Permissible Exposure Limits

(PELs)

• Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs)

• Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)

• Appropriate engineering controls

• Individual protection measures

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The GHS Elements

Classification Criteria

• Health and Environmental Hazards

• Physical Hazards

• Mixtures

Hazard Communication

• Labels

• Safety Data Sheets

Health & Environmental

HazardsAcute Toxicity

Skin Corrosion/Irritation

Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation

Respiratory or Skin Sensitization

Germ Cell Mutagenicity

Carcinogenicity

Reproductive Toxicity

Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single and Repeated Dose

Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment

Tiered Approach to

Classification

Generally use test data for the mixture,

when available

Use bridging principles, if applicable

For health and environmental hazards, estimate hazards based on the known

ingredient information

Physical Hazards

Explosives

Flammability – gases, aerosols, liquids, solids

Oxidizers – liquid, solid, gases

Self-Reactive

Pyrophoric – liquids, solids

Self-Heating

Organic Peroxides

Corrosive to Metals

Gases Under Pressure

Water-Activated Flammable Gases

Comprehensibility Guiding principles:

Information should be conveyed in more than one way.

The comprehensibility of the components of the system should take account of existing studies and evidence gained from testing.

The phrases used to indicate the degree (severity) of hazard should be consistent across different hazard types.

Key Label Elements

Product identifier

Supplier identifier

Chemical identity

Hazard pictograms*

Signal words*

Hazard statements*

Precautionary information

*Standardized

The GHS – Safety Data Sheets

A Safety Data Sheet is a document that provides detailed

information about a hazardous chemical, including:

• Its identity and its ingredients

• Its physical, health and environmental hazards

• Workplace exposure standards

• Safe handling and storage procedures

• First aid procedures

• Transport information

• and other useful information.

• Sections of the SDS are aimed at a particular audience.

The GHS also provides a minimum standard for the formatting

and content for communicating a chemical’s hazard through

Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

SDS Format: 16 headings1. Identification

2. Hazard(s) identification

3. Composition/information on

ingredients

4. First-aid measures

5. Fire-fighting measures

6. Accidental release measures

7. Handling and storage

8. Exposure control/personal

protection

Format: 16 headings

(cont.)

9. Physical and chemical

properties

10. Stability and reactivity

11. Toxicological information

12. Ecological information

13. Disposal considerations

14. Transport information

15. Regulatory information

16. Other information

Did you check the mixtures

Did you check the mixtures. In Canada you

MUST have a certified lab sample sheet

available on demand--- have you ask for

this sheet. How did they Classify the

chemical mixture not cut and paste

someone else material

In Canada eh!

• Furthermore, section 14 of the HPA requires a Canadian importer of a controlled product to obtain or prepare a MSDS as a condition of importation. Finally, the requirements for an imported controlled product that is to be labeled or repackaged in Canada are outlined in section 23 of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR).

• Hazard Criteria specified in Part IV of the CPR outlines if a product, material or substance is a controlled product. The controlled product may be pure or a tested or an untested mixture. Section 33 of the CPR sets out the procedures for a supplier to establish whether or not a substance is a controlled.

• Section12 and Schedule I to the CPR set out what information must be disclosed on a MSDS, and part IV of the CPR may serve as a useful guideline Subject to confidential business information (trade secret) exemptions under section 11 of the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act, paragraph 13(a) of the HPA sets out what ingredients are subject to disclosure on the MSDS. Furthermore, section 4 of the CPR specifies the concentration above which those ingredients must be disclosed.

Are they up to date with the

standards and codes

Including Exposure Limits

• Have your considered when they wrote the

following:Even though the ANSI standard was prepared in the US, the standard is

useful to MSDS preparers around the world. The ANSI standard describes

the format for MSDSs and discusses the various steps involved in preparing

MSDSs such as how to:

• collect information

• determine hazards of materials

• complete each section of an MSDS

• organize and present the information in the MSDSs

The standard has information about the appearance and readability of

MSDSs. It explains where technical and non-technical language should be

used to optimize MSDS usefulness to different groups of readers. For

example, medical information can be provided under the subheading "Notes

to the Physician" in the section "First Aid Measures". Non-technical

language should be used in sections intended for use by the employee (e.g.,

under the subheading "First Aid Procedures"). It also provides advice about

font types and sizes, page layouts and so on that make MSDSs easier to

read.

The standard also provides a list of commonly used phrases and the

extensive glossary to help suppliers write MSDSs clearly without an

extensive use of technical terms or jargon. For example, the phrase " . . .

may cause partial to complete unconsciousness" will be clearer to many

readers than " . . . causes narcosis". To prevent skin contact, "wear

chemical resistant clothing such as gloves, apron, boots or whole body suits

made from Neoprene, as appropriate" is more precise and helpful than

"wear chemical resistant clothing". It also provides some sample MSDSs

and a brief checklist for evaluating the completed MSDSs.

Did they really know• What is required on an MSDS? A total of 54 information items are required on an

MSDS.

• How do I list complex mixtures? A complex mixture is defined as being naturally occurring, such as derivatives from crude oil (e.g. gasoline, mineral spirits, kerosene), and is listed by the commonly known generic name (for example, Turpentine).

• Can I make a generic MSDS to cover a number of products? Yes. A generic MSDS is a single MSDS that applies to a number of similar products (for example, paint with different pigments).

• When I write an MSDS, do I have to disclose both the manufacturer and supplier names? No. Either manufacturer or supplier name, or both can be disclosed.

• If I edit (delete/add) the MSDS from the manufacturer, is the manufacturer responsible for the information? No. If an employer (or secondary distributor) revises the MSDS, then that employer (or secondary distributor) becomes responsible for the information and, therefore, becomes the supplier of the product.

• On MSDSs, do we have to list a 24-hour emergency number? The supplier emergency telephone required on the MSDS must reflect the emergency number available for the specific supplier - if they have a 24-hour line, it must be provided on the MSDS. If the supplier has only an 8-hour line, then that must be provided. If there is no supplier emergency number, then the regular phone number must be provided and (possibly) the poison control centre phone number.

• Can I leave sections of the MSDS blank if the information is not available or applicable? No. You must write "not available" or "not applicable", as appropriate. This makes it clear to the reader that the supplier has tried to address the information requirement -- not ignored it.

• As a supplier of controlled products, do I have to provide the MSDSs in both English and French? Legally, yes. Usually, French version of the MSDS is produced upon request.

• What is a LD50 or LC50? These terms refer to the Lethal Dose and the Lethal Concentration, respectively, at which 50% of test animals die due to exposure.

• What is PIN on an MSDS? The Product Identification Number (PIN) called for on an MSDS is any identification number that the manufacturer/supplier has for identifying this specific product or product line. It is very often confused with the PIN (also commonly known as the UN#) for TDG purposes. It is advisable to identify the UN# in the other hazard information seen in section 8 (Leak and Spill information) and reserve the identification number box for the supplier's own information.

• When do MSDSs expire? MSDSs expire every 3 years. The MSDS must be updated by providing any new information that has now become available. If there is none, the date of the review must be identified on the MSDS and the MSDS is now valid for a further three years.

• What does "readily available" mean? This term means that the MSDS for a controlled product is accessible to all workers, who have the right to read that MSDS before using the controlled product.

• As a supplier, can I distribute my MSDS through the internet, without issuing hard copies to my users? Yes, but only if there is a written agreement between supplier and purchaser that the MSDS can be accessed through the web.

Accuracy Governance

The quality of a hazard communication

program is largely dependent upon the

adequacy and accuracy of the hazard

determination. The hazard determination

requirement of this standard is

performance-oriented. Chemical

manufacturers, importers, and employers

evaluating chemicals are not required to

follow any specific methods for determining

hazards, but they must be able to

demonstrate that they have adequately

ascertained the hazards of the chemicals

produced or imported in accordance with

the provincial/state or federal regulations

Did they apply a risk matrix to

the chemical you have

Did you apply a risk matrix to

the chemical you have

So now you are using this

possible pirated data

• Is it accurate?

• Are you willing to bet yours or some one

else life upon a 50% chance the data is

correct!

The manufacturer, distributer, importer or other "responsible

party" listed on the sheet is responsible for the accuracy and

completeness of the information on the MSDS/SDS.

Why was the GHS developed?

• Labelling inconsistencies

The GHS provides many benefits to governments, industry and

chemical users:

• Reduces need for duplicative testing and evaluation of

chemicals.

• Principles of animal welfare

• Single approach to labels and safety data sheets.

• Classification criteria are updated and maintained at an

international level.

• Increased efficiencies and reduced costs of compliance.

• Easier trade of chemicals; no need to reclassify in every

jurisdiction.

• An increased understanding among the wider community of

chemical hazards.

• Enhanced safety outcomes for protection of human health and

environment through harmonised chemical safety and health

information.

What are the potential benefits

of the GHS?

• Hazards information is prescribed to end users:

• Symbols (pictograms)

• Signal words

• Hazard statements, and

• Precautionary statements.

The GHS – Scope and ApplicationHow does it work?

• These elements are then put onto:

• Labels

• Safety data sheets

The GHS – Hazard Classes and Categories

The GHS – Hazard Classes and Categories

• Not compulsory under Safety Regulations.

• Environmental classification may still be required for

transportation.

The GHS – Hazard Classes and Categories

The GHS – Pictograms

• The GHS also allows dangerous goods class labels to be

displayed on labelling and safety data sheets.

• There are no equivalents to the “exclamation mark” and

“health hazard” pictograms.

1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9

Dangerous Goods Class

Possible issue with flammable chemicals?

• 6 different “flammable” symbols become one – intrinsic

hazard not always obvious at a glance.

• Read label e.g. In contact with water releases

flammable gas

• NO CHANGE TO PLACARDS - DG symbol still

required

• Did anyone spot a possible issue with flammable symbols?

The GHS – Hazard statements

• Describe the nature of the hazards covered by the GHS and

the degree of severity.

• Examples include:

• Extremely flammable liquid and vapour (Cat. 1)

• Highly flammable liquid and vapour (Cat.

2)

• Flammable liquid and vapour (Cat. 3)

• Combustible liquid (Cat. 4)

• May cause cancer (Cat. 1)

• Suspected of causing cancer (Cat. 2)

• Hazard statements are equivalent to Risk Phrases under the

Approved Criteria.

• Extremely flammable (R12)

• Highly flammable (R11)

• Flammable (R10)

• May cause cancer (R45)

• Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect

(R40)

The GHS – Precautionary statements

• Describe measures recommended to prevent or minimise:

• The adverse effects of exposure to a hazardous

chemical, or

• Improper handling of a hazardous chemical.

• Each hazard class / category has several associated

precautionary phrases.

• Prevention, Response, Storage, Disposal.

• For example, for a flammable liquid, the following statements

may apply:

• Keep away from sparks and open flames. No smoking.

(Prevention)

• In case of fire: Use powder for extinction (Response)

• Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool. (Storage)

• Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local

regulations. (Disposal)

The GHS – Other information on labels

• Product identifier (and ingredient proportions)

• Supplier / manufacturer details

• Supplementary information , where applicable, such as:

• hazard classes and hazard statements not specifically

covered by the GHS

• expiry or retest date.

• UN number

Examples of GHS labels

Product

identifier

Ingredient

proportions

Hazard

pictograms

Precautionary

statements

Supplier information

Signal

word

Hazard statements

DG Class

Labels

Examples of GHS labels

Label suitable for transport

• When the label does not have enough space, some label

elements can be omitted.

• The Safety Data Sheet contains more detailed information

Examples of GHS labels

Label for small container

Refer to SDS

Is there a specific GHS label format /

layout?

• The actual label format or layout is not specified in

the GHS.

• However, there are required label elements.

Labeling

Label Elements

Product identifier

Supplier identifier

Chemical identity

Hazard pictograms*

Signal words*

Hazard statements*

Precautionary information

*These three elements, all hazard warnings, are

required to be located together on the label

Requirements of a GHS

Label

Still need GHS worksite

labels• And decanting immediately is still zero

labels

Who is responsible for labelling?

In most cases, suppliers are responsible for labelling the hazardous products that

they provide to customers.

Employers are responsible for making sure that hazardous products that come into

the workplace are labelled and to prepare and apply a workplace label when

appropriate.

Are there different types of labels?

Yes. There are two main types of WHMIS labels: supplier labels, and workplace

labels.

A supplier label is provided or affixed (attached) by the supplier and will appear on all

hazardous products received at a workplace in Canada. If the hazardous product is

always used in the container with the supplier label, no other label is required.

A workplace label is required when:

a hazardous product is produced (made) at the workplace and used in that

workplace,

a hazardous product is decanted (e.g., transferred or poured) into another container,

or

a supplier label becomes lost or illegible (unreadable).

There are two situations when a workplace label is not necessary. When a

hazardous product is:

poured into a container and it is going to be used immediately, or

"under the control of the person who decanted it". For example, when the person

who poured the product into another container will be the only person who will use it,

and the product will be used during one shift, a full workplace label may not be

required. However, the container must still be identified with the product identifier

(name).

If the product is not used right away or if more than one person will be in control of

the product, a full workplace label is required. Note that a company may have

specific rules about labelling containers that are above or exceed the WHMIS

requirements.

WSL

• What information will be required on a workplace label?

• It is anticipated that a workplace label will require the following information:

• Product name (matching the SDS product name).

• Safe handling precautions, may include pictograms or other supplier label information.

• A reference to the SDS (if available).

• Workplace label requirements fall under your provincial or territorial jurisdiction, or under the Canada Labour Code if you work in a federally regulated workplace. Again, watch for confirmation, updates, or changes to these requirements when the WHMIS regulations in your jurisdiction are updated

WHY IS A STANDARD NECESSARY?

6

• To evaluate the hazards of all chemicals imported into,

produced, or used in workplaces in the Canada and the world

• To prevent or minimize employee exposure to chemicals

• Because chemical exposure can contribute to serious

health effects:

o Heart ailments o Burns/rashes o Kidney/lung damageo Sterility o Cancero Central nervous system damage

HCS KEY REVISIONS ALSO INCLUDE

PPT-016-0411

• Disclosure of PELs and voluntary threshold limit

values (TLVs) established by the American Conference of

Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)

• Disclosure of carcinogen status from nationally and internationally

recognized lists of carcinogens

• Inclusion of combustible dust in the definition of “hazardous

chemical” covered on labels and SDS

• Workers be re-trained within 2 years of the publication of the final

rule

• Mixtures (GHS)

o Health hazards can be based on data for mixtureo If no data, extrapolate from ingredient data or other similar mixtures

to classify

WHMIS: HAZARDS NOT OTHERWISE CLASSIFIED

• Creation of a new category of hazards – “Hazards Not Otherwise

Classified” (WHMIS)

• Under new GHS standard, the following are not classified under

WHMIS but addressed individually:

o Pyrophoric gases

o Simple asphyxiants

o Combustible dusts

• GHS label elements for combustible dusts:

o Signal Word: Warningo Hazard Statement: “May form combustible dust concentrations in the air”

OTHER LABEL ELEMENTS

Canada label elements for:

Pyrophoric Gases:-Signal Word: Danger-Hazard Statement: “Catches fire

spontaneously if exposed to air”

Simple Asphyxiants:-Signal Word: Warning-Hazard Statement: “May displace

oxygen and cause rapid suffocation”

Combustible Dusts:-Signal Word: Warning-Hazard Statement: “May form

combustible dust concentrations in the air”

HAZARD CLASSIFICATION

• GHS has specific criteria for each health and

physical hazard

• Detailed instructions for hazard evaluation and

determinations whether mixtures of the substance

are covered

• A and B (mandatory): Classification guidance for

health hazards and physical hazards

• Test-method neutral (person classifying a chemical

or substance should use available data and no

additional testing is required to classify a chemical)

ROUTES OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE

Inhalation - nearly all materials that are airborne can be inhaled

Skin Absorption - skin contact with a substance can result in a possible reaction

Ingestion - most workers do not deliberately swallow materials they handle

Injection – normally associated with bloodborne pathogens

Ocular - absorbed through the eyes

HAZARDS

A chemical can pose a “physical hazard” or a “health hazard”

The hazard communication standard applies to both types of hazards

GHS looks at:

o Class-nature of hazardo Category-degree of

severity

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

Physical hazards are exhibited by certain chemicals because of their physical properties (e.g. flammability, reactivity, etc.)

These chemicals fall into the following classes:

o Flammable liquids or solidso Combustible liquidso Compressed gaseso Explosives

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

• Organic peroxide: May react explosively to

temperature/pressure changes

• Oxidizers: Chemicals that initiate or promote

combustion in other materials

• Pyrophoric materials: May ignite

spontaneously in air temperatures of 130ºF

or below

• Unstable materials

• Water reactive materials

HEALTH HAZARD

Health hazard - Occurs when a chemical produces an acute or chronic health effect on exposed employees

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

• Happen quickly

• High, brief exposure

• Examples:

o Carbon monoxide

poisoning

o Cyanide inhalation

o Hydrogen sulfide

inhalation

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

• May be caused by chemical exposures that do

not cause immediate, obvious harm or make

you feel sick right away

• May not see, feel, or smell the danger

• Effects are long, continuous and follow

repeated long-term exposure; e.g.:

o Lung cancer from cigarette smokingo Black lung from coal mine dust

LABEL INFORMATION

Chemical manufacturers and importers must provide a label that includes:

• Harmonized signal word

• Pictogram

• Hazard statement for each hazard class

and category

• Precautionary statements must also be

provided as well as product identifier and

supplier information

Pictograms

• A symbol plus a red diamond

border intended to convey specific

information about the hazards of a

chemical.

• 4 Health Hazard Pictograms

• 5 Physical Hazard Pictograms

HEALTH HAZARD

Used to describe:

o Carcinogen

o Mutagenicity

o Reproductive toxicity

o Respiratory sensitizer

o Target organ toxicity

o Aspiration toxicity

o Germ cell mutagens

FLAME

Describes:

o Flammables

o Pyrophorics

o Self-heating

o Emits flammable gas

o Self-reactives

o Organic peroxides

EXCLAMATION MARK

Describes:

o Irritant (skin and eye)

o Skin sensitizer

o Acute toxicity (harmful)

o Narcotic effects

o Respiratory tract irritant

o Hazardous to ozone layer

(non-mandatory)

Health Hazard Pictogram-

Exclamation Mark

• Irritant (skin and

eye)

• Skin Sensitizer

• Acute Toxicity

• Narcotic Effects

• Respiratory

Tract Irritant

• Hazardous to

Ozone Layer

(non-mandatory)

Physical Hazard Pictogram-

Gas Cylinder

• Gases under

pressure

GAS CYLINDER

Describes:

o Gases under pressure

CORROSION

Describes:

o Skin corrosion/burns

o Eye damage

o Corrosive to metals

EXPLODING BOMB

Describes:

o Explosives

o Self-reactives

o Organic peroxide

Physical Hazard Pictogram-

Flame Over Circle

• Oxidizer –a substance that is

not necessarily

combustible, but

may, generally by

yielding oxygen,

cause or contribute

to the combustion

of other material

FLAME OVER CIRCLE

Describes:

o Oxidizers

Anything wrong with this picture?

Yes!

Unsafe storage –cylinders falling over!

Health Hazard Pictogram-

Skull & Crossbones

• Acute Toxicity

(fatal or toxic)

SKULL AND CROSSBONES

Describes:

o Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)

Non-mandatory Pictogram-

Environment

• Aquatic

Toxicity

DANGEROUS GOOD LABEL

UN regulations:

This symbol affixed to packaging on a background of contrasting color

Only UN transport markings and labels are required for outer packaging

GHS Health Hazards

• Acute Toxicity

• Skin Corrosion/Irritation

• Serious Eye Damage/Eye

Irritation

• Respiratory or Skin Sensitization

• Germ Cell Mutagenicity

• Carcinogenicity

Health Hazards

• Reproductive Toxicology

• Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single Exposure

• Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Repeated Exposure

• Aspiration Toxicity

• Reproductive Toxicology

• Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single Exposure

• Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Repeated Exposure

• Aspiration Toxicity

GHS Environmental Hazards

• The SDS* provides comprehensive information about

a chemical substance or mixture.

• Primary Use: The Workplace

• Employers and workers use the SDS as a source of

information about hazards and to obtain advice on

safety precautions.

• The SDS format will make finding hazard and

chemical information easier.

Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment

• Acute aquatic toxicity

• Chronic aquatic toxicity

Bioaccumulation potential

Rapid degradability

Environmental Hazards

**New**

Role of the SDS in the GHS

*SDS—Formerly known as Material Safety Data

Sheets (MSDS)

SDS Format: 16 headings

SDS** is now in a standardized format:

1. Identification

2. Hazard(s) identification

3. Composition/information on ingredients

4. First-aid measures

5. Fire-fighting measures

6. Accidental release measures

7. Handling and storage

8. Exposure control/personal protection

**SDS—Formerly known as Material Safety Data

Sheets (MSDS)

9. Physical and chemical properties

10. Stability and reactivity

11. Toxicological information

12. Ecological information*

13. Disposal considerations*

14. Transport information*

15. Regulatory information

16. Other information

*Non-mandatory

SDS Format Example

YOU STILL NEED A WRITTEN HAZARD COMMUNICATION PLAN

The standard requires industry:

• To develop and implement a written hazard

communication program

• To provide hazard communication training

for employees:

o Initially (to newly hired personnel)

o Whenever a new hazard is introduced

into the workplace

Risk assessment in the

Writing

• The Safety Data Sheet writer can assume that the person who provides first-aid to the victim has basic first-aid training. Therefore, Safety Data Sheets do not need to recommend or explain how to execute procedures to be followed in every emergency. For example, trained first-aid providers will know how to assess the initial status of a victim.

• Generally, the Safety Data Sheet writer can assume that medical assistance can be obtained within a reasonably short period of time (60 minutes or less). If medical assistance is not readily available, a doctor familiar with the product or specializing in occupational health and safety and familiar with the facilities available at the location should review the first-aid recommendations, and make changes appropriate to the circumstances, as required.

• The Safety Data Sheet should provide instructions that direct the first-aid provider to respond to the specific health effects of the product. Any procedures recommended in the First-Aid Measures section must correspond to specific health effects and routes of exposure identified in the Hazard(s) Identification or Toxicological Information sections of the Safety Data Sheet. The Safety Data Sheet should not introduce any new health effects in the First-Aid Measures section. The Safety Data Sheet should not include first-aid procedures that are not applicable to the product.

• The Safety Data Sheet should not exclusively describe first-aid recommendations written for the "worst case" exposure imaginable. Usually, first-aid is given for mild to moderate exposures. If the Safety Data Sheet places too much emphasis on extreme exposures, which rarely occur, the first-aid procedures will be overstated. Inappropriate first-aid could further harm the victim. The best approach is to write first-aid procedures for situations most likely to occur based upon knowledge of the product's use and properties and/or on actual case reports.

SPECIAL

NOTE

• The First-Aid Measures section of a Safety Data Sheet should not include procedures that fall outside the definition of first-aid. Typically, first-aid does not include procedures like the administration of oral medications. However, under certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to recommend more advanced procedures (e.g., the administration of an antidote for cyanide toxicity). Protocols for undertaking advanced procedures must be developed in consultation with a doctor and must be regularly reviewed. In these situations, advanced, specialized training is required for first-aid providers.

• There are two criteria for including these procedures:

• The benefits of the procedure must outweigh any risks associated with it, i.e. the intervention must be essential to sustain life or prevent other serious consequences and must not introduce significant new risks.

• It must be legally acceptable for the first-aid provider to perform the intervention. This legality can be determined by contacting local first-aid training organizations (e.g., the Red Cross) or your governing medical authority (e.g., the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the State Board of Medical Examiners or the State Health Division).

• The first-aid measures sub-headings of the Safety Data Sheet (i.e. Inhalation, Skin Contact, Eye Contact, Ingestion) should not contain information directed toward medical professionals. Inclusion of this information could be confusing to the first-aid provider. The Safety Data Sheet should direct comments to medical professionals under the Safety Data Sheet Section 4 sub-heading Note to Physicians (American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Material Safety Data Sheet) or Special Instructions (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Safety Data Sheet). For a brief discussion regarding Note to Physicians/Special Instructions,

Mandatory worker training

• In Canada, if a workplace uses hazardous products, there must be a WHMIS program in place. Workers must be educated and trained so they understand the hazards, and know how to work safely with hazardous products.

• All workers who work with a hazardous product, or who may be exposed to a hazardous product as part of their work activities must learn about the hazard information for these products. The hazard information should include the information received from the supplier, as well as any other information that the employer is aware of about the use, storage and handling of each product.

• As an example, this education and training will include all workers who:

• May be exposed to a hazardous product due to their work activities (including normal use, maintenance activities, or emergencies).

• Use, store, handle or dispose of a hazardous product.

• Supervise or manage workers who may be exposed, or use, store, handle or dispose of a hazardous product.

• Are involved in emergency response.

What topics should be covered?

• Examples of topics that should be covered during education and training include:

• The information on both the supplier label and workplace label, and what that information means.

• The information on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and what that information means.

• The procedures required for safe use, handling and disposal of a hazardous product.

• Any other procedures required when the product is in a pipe, piping system, vessel, tank car, etc.

• The procedure to follow if the hazardous product may be present in the air and a worker may be exposed.

• All procedures that must be followed in an emergency that involves the hazardous product.

•

New Hazard Information

• Manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers

who become newly aware of significant information

regarding chemical hazards shall:

• Revise the labels for the chemical within three (3)

months.

• Revise the SDS for the chemical within three (3)

months.

SummaryDuring this block of instruction we have covered:

• Introduction/Background

• Hazards

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• Labeling