Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

In some cases, the health and safety representative, worker member of a health and safety committee, or worker selected by fellow workers or union has a right to take part in accident investigation.

The results of accident investigation and reporting should be made known to all personnel on site. Recommendations should be implemented to prevent the accident from happening again.

In all cases of injury, the EMPLOYER must do the

following.

1. Make sure that first aid is given immediately, as

required by law.

2. Record the first aid treatment or advice given to

the worker.

3. Complete and give to the worker a Treatment

Memorandum (Form 156) if health care is needed.

4. Provide immediate transportation to a hospital or

a physician's office, if necessary.

5. Submit to the Workplace Safety and Insurance

Board (WSIB), within three days of learning of an

accident, an Employer's Report of an

Accident/Injury/Industrial Disease (Form 7) and

any other information that may be required.

6. Pay full wages and benefits for the day or shift on

which the injury occurred when compensation is

payable for loss of earnings.

7. Notify the Ministry of Labour, health, and safety

representative and/or committee, and union as

required by legislation.

The WORKER must do the following.

1. Promptly obtain first aid.

2. Notify the employer, foreman, supervisor, and worker safety representative immediately of an injury requiring health care and obtain from the employer a completed Treatment Memorandum (Form 156) to take to the physician or the hospital. Failure to report promptly can affect your benefits and subject your employer to fines.

3. Choose a physician or other qualified practitioner with the understanding that a change of physician cannot be made without permission of the WSIB.

4. Complete and promptly return all report forms

received from the WSIB.

Frequently construction trades are required to work with new hazardous materials or previously installed hazardous materials requiring repair, maintenance, or removal. Some materials used for many years and

thought harmless are now known to be hazardous. Proper handling requires careful planning, training, and use of personal protective equipment or controls.

Some hazardous materials common in construction are

– compressed gas (acetylene, nitrogen, oxygen)

– flammable and combustible materials (solvents)

– oxidizing materials (epoxy hardeners)

– solvents, coatings, and sealers

– asbestos and silica

– acids and alkalis.

Right to Know

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) gives everyone the right to know about the hazards of materials they work with and

provides the means to find out that information. It does this through

– labels

– material safety data sheets

– worker training and education.

All employers are required by law to provide WHMIS training for specific controlled products the worker will be working with or near. Training should be provided as new products are introduced – with a general updating of new

products at least annually. Controlled products under WHMIS include six classes,

identified by symbols.

The requirements for supplier and workplace labels are

shown in Figure

Supplier labels are required on controlled products with

a volume of more than 100 milliliters and must include

– the product identifier

– appropriate hazard symbol(s)

– risk phrases (such as “dangerous if inhaled”)

– precautions (such as “wear rubber gloves”)

– first aid measures

– supplier identifier

– the statement that a material safety data sheet (MSDS) is available for the product.

Workplace labels are required when controlled products are produced onsite or have been transferred from a supplier-labeled container to a different container.

Workplace labels must include

– the product identifier

– safe handling instructions

– a statement that an MSDS is available for the product.

If details on the ingredients, health effects, handling, and other aspects of a hazardous product are not available from suppliers or employers, call the Construction Safety Association of Ontario at and provide the following information.

• Product name (for example, Solvex 100)

• Manufacturer's name and place of manufacture (for example, ABC Chemical, Montreal, Quebec)

• What is the product being used for? (for example, to

clean parts)

• How is it being used? (for example, sprayed on)

• Is it being mixed with something else?

• Is it being heated?

• In what area is it being used? (for example, outdoors or in a holding tank)

• What does the label say?

• How can information be conveyed to you?

Designated Substances

“Designated substances” are substances that have been targeted for special regulation by the Ministry of Labour. Generally, these substances are well-known toxic materials which present a serious risk of illness. Designated substances encountered in construction include asbestos, lead, coal tar products, and silica. If any designated substances are present where construction, maintenance, or renovation is planned, the parties involved must be notified and informed. The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that owners notify contractors of the presence of any designated substances. Contractors also have a responsibility to advice subcontractors. This notification must take place before binding contracts are arranged.