WHMIS
Terms
undefined, object
copy deck
-
WHMIS -
Class D, Division 2: Poisonous & Infectious Materials - Other Toxic Effects
This division includes materials causing immediate eye and/or skin irritation as well as those which can cause long-term effects in a person repeatedly exposed to small amounts. -
WHMIS -
Class A: Compressed Gas
This class includes compressed gases, dissolved gases and gases liquified by compression or refrigeration . -
WHMIS -
Class D, Division 1: Poisonous & Infectious Materials - Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects
This division includes materials causing immediate and serious toxic effects. These materials can cause the death of a person exposed to small amounts. -
WHMIS -
Class C: Oxidizing Material
This class includes materials which provide oxygen or similar substances and which increase the risk of fire if they come into contact with flammable or combustible materials. -
WHMIS -
Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material
Class F materials can undergo dangerous reaction if subjected to heat, pressure, shock or allowed to contact water. -
WHMIS -
Class E: Corrosive Material
Class E materials are acid or caustic materials which can destroy the skin and/or eat through metals. -
WHMIS -
Class B: Flammable and Combustible Material
This class includes solids, liquids and gases capable of catching fire or exploding in the presence of a source of ignition. -
WHMIS -
Class D, Division 3: Poisonous & Infectious Materials - Biohazardous infectious material
This division includes materials which contain harmful microorganisms. - Class A: Compressed Gas
-
Class A materials:
-pose an explosion danger because the gas is being held in a container under pressure;
-may cause its container to explode if heated (such as what would happen in a fire);
-may also cause its container to explode if dropped.
When handling Class A materials you should:
-handle with care, do not drop container;
-keep container away from potential souces of ignition;
-store the container in designated areas.
Examples of Class A materials: gas cylinders for oxyacetylene welding or water disinfection. - Class B: Flammable and Combustible Material
-
Class B materials:
-will burn and are therefore potential fire hazards.
-may burn at relatively low tempertaues; flammable materials catch fire at lower temperatures than combustible materials.
-may burst into flame spontaneouly in air or may release a flammable gas on contact with water;
-may cause a fire when exposed to heat, sparks, or flames or as a result of friction;
When handling Class B materials you should:
-keep the material away from heat sources and other combustible materials;
-never smoke when working with or near the material;
-store the containers in designated areas.
Examples: white phosphorus, acetone and butane. Flammable liquids such as acetone are more easily ignited than combustible liquids such as kerosene. - Class C: Oxidizing Material
-
Class C materials:
-pose a fire and/or explosion risk in the presence of flammable or combustible material;
-may cause fire when they come in contact with combusitble materials such as wood;
-may react violently or cause an explosion when they come in contact with combustible materials such as fuels;
-may burn skin and eyes upon contact.
When handling Class C materials you should:
-wear the proper protective equipment, including eye, face, and hand protection and protective clothing;
-keep the material away from combustible materials;
-keep the material away from sources of ignition;
-never smoke when working with or near the material;
-store the containers in designated areas.
Examples: sodium hypochlorite, perchloric acid, inorganic peroxides. - Class D, Division 1: Poisonous & Infectious Materials - Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects
-
Class D, Division 1 materials:
-are a potentially fatal poisonous substance;
-may cause permanent damage if inhaled or swallowed or if they enter the body through skin contact;
-may burn eyes or skin upon contact.
When handling Class D, Division 1 materials you should:
-handle the material with extreme caution;
-avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing the proper protective equipment, including eye, face, and hand protection and protective clothing;
-avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas and/or wearing respiratory equipment;
-wash and shower thoroughly after using;
-store the containers in designated areas.
Examples: sodium cyanide, hydrogen sulphide. - Class D, Division 2: Poisonous & Infectious Materials - Other Toxic Effects
-
Class D, Division 2 materials:
-are poisonous substances that are not immediately dangerous to health;
-may cause death or permanent damage as a result of repeated exposures over time;
-may be a skin or eye irritant;
-may be a sensitizer, which produces a chemical allergy;
-may cause cancer;
-may cause birth defects or sterility.
When handling Class D, Division 2 materials, you should:
-avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing the proper protective equipment, including eye, face, and hand protection and protective clothing;
-avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas and/or wearing respiratory equipment;
-store the containers in designated areas.
Examples: acetone (irritant), asbestos (carcinogen), toluene diisocyanate (senzitizer). - Class D, Division 3: Poisonous & Infectious Materials - Biohazardous infectious material
-
Class D, Division 3 materials:
-may cause a serious disease resulting in illness or death.
When handling Class D, Division 3 materials, you should:
-take every measure to avoid contamination;
-handle the material only when fully protected by the proper, designated equipment;
-handle the material in designated areas where engineering controls are in place to prevent exposure.
Examples: cultures or diagnostic specimens containing salmonella bacteria or the hepatitis B virus. - Class E: Corrosive Material
-
Class E materials:
-cause severe eye and skin irritation upon contact;
cause severe tissue damage with prolonged contact;
-may be harmful if inhaled.
When handling Class E materials, you should:
-keep containers tightly closed;
-avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing the proper protective equipment, including eye, face, and hand protection and protective clothing;
-avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas and/or wearing respiratory equipment.
Examples: muriatic acid, lye. - Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material
-
Class F materials:
-are very unstable;
may react with water to release a toxic or flammable gas;
-may explode as a result of shock, friction or increase in temperature;
-may explode if heated when in a closed container;
-may undergo vigorous polymerization.
When handling Class F materials, you should:
-keep material away from heat;
-open containers carefully, do not drop them;
-store the material in a cool, flame-proof designated area.
Examples: plastic monomers such as butadiene and some cyanides.