A-3 Safe Handling of Hazardous Materials Introduction
Workers exposed to hazardous materials may face serious health risks, such as kidney or lung damage, sterility, cancer, allergic reactions or burns. Some hazardous materials can also cause fires or explosions.
Legislation and regulations are in place to reduce injuries and diseases caused by exposure to hazardous materials used in the workplace.
Everyone who works with or near hazardous products has the right to know what the hazards are and how to use these products safely.
Learning Objectives
When you have completed this section, you should be able to:
- Describe Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) regulations and the handling of hazardous goods.
- Identify the hazards associated with hazardous products.
- Select the appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment to protect yourself when working with hazardous materials.
You will be required to reference publications and videos available online at WorkSafeBC.
Terminology
The following terms will be used throughout this section. A complete list of terms for this section can be found in the Glossary.
- corrosive: Something that can burn, eat away, or damage materials like skin, eyes, or metal. Corrosive substances can cause serious injuries if they touch your body, so they must be handled very carefully. (Section A-3.5)
- excluded (from both federal and provincial WHMIS legislation): In WHMIS, a product or situation that is not covered by certain federal or provincial WHMIS rules. Even when a product is excluded, workers must still be told about any health or safety risks and how to use the product safely. (Section A-3.3)
- Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS): An international system that uses the same symbols, labels, and safety information to explain the dangers of chemicals and how to use them safely. (Section A-3.1)
- [hazard] categories (also called types): A classification that shows how dangerous a hazard is. Lower numbers or earlier letters usually mean more danger. (Section A-3.1)
- hazard classes: A group that shows the type of danger a product has, such as fire or health risks. (Section A-3.1)
- hazardous product: A substance that can harm people or cause damage if it is not used safely. (Section A-3.1)
- health hazard: Examples include: overexposure to harmful dusts, chemicals, or radiation. (Section A-1.1 and Section A-3.1)
- label: A safety tag or sticker on a product container that shows hazards, symbols, and basic safety information.(Section A-3.2)
- physical hazard: Examples: moving objects, fluctuating temperatures, high-intensity lighting, rolling or pinching hazards, electrical connections, and sharp edges (Section A-1.1 and Section A-3.1).
- pictogram: A symbol that quickly shows what kind of hazard a product has; used on safety labels in WHMIS. (Section A-3.1)
- safety data sheet (SDS): Documents that explain the hazards of a product and give important information on how to use, store, and handle it safely, and what to do in an emergency. (Section A-3.1 and Section A-3.2)
- supplier label: The label placed on a product by the supplier that shows hazards and safe handling information. (Section A-3.1)
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods (Regulations): A Canadian system that uses special labels and colours to warn people about dangerous materials being moved from one place to another. Some colours, like orange, are already used by TDG to show specific dangers (such as explosives), so those colours cannot be used for other safety labels because they could confuse. (Section A-3.3)
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS): A safety system that helps workers understand the dangers of hazardous products and how to use them safely at work. (Section A-3.2)
- workplace label: A safety label added by the employer at the workplace. They are used when a product is transferred to another container or when the original supplier label is missing, and they explain the hazards and safe handling of the product. (Section A-3.3)
