Chapter 2

Legislative Framework

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 1

 Learning Outcomes

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

 Describe the regulatory framework surrounding
occupational health and safety
 Outline the duties of the major players under
occupational health and safety legislation
 Describe the structure and role of joint health and
safety committees
 List and describe the three central elements of a
WHMIS program
 Describe the purpose and basic provisions of the
transportation of dangerous goods acts
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 2
 OH&S Important Terms

• Act: A federal, provincial or territorial law that

constitutes the basic regulatory mechanism for
occupational health and safety.
• Regulations: Explain how the general intent of
the act will be applied in specific circumstances.

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 3

 OH&S Important Terms

• Act:

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 4

 OH&S Important Terms

• Regulations:
• Construction
• Industrial Establishments
• Health Care and residential facilities
• Mines and mining plants
• Critical injury
• Diving operations
• Farming
• Firefighters Protective Equipment

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 5

 OH&S Important Terms

• Regulations:
• Teachers
• Roll-over protective devices
• Window cleaning
• Designated Substances
• WHMIS
• Confined Spaces
• Etc., etc.

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 6

 OH&S Important Terms

• Guidelines and Policies: More specific rules that

are not legally enforceable unless referred to in a
regulation or act.
• Standards and codes: Design-related guides
established by agencies such as the CSA or ANSI.

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 7

 OH&S Important Terms

• Guidelines and Policies: More specific rules that

are not legally enforceable unless referred to in a
regulation or act.
• Standards and codes: Design-related guides
established by agencies such as the CSA or ANSI.

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 8

 OH&S Important Terms

• Standards and codes: Design-related guides

established by agencies such as the CSA or ANSI.
• MOL Website
• Liquid Fuel Handling Code

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 9

 The Scope of OH&S
Legislation
• Under common law, an employer is obliged to take
reasonable precautions in ensuring the safety of an
employee.
• All OH&S legislation includes the following elements:

• An act (OHSA in Ontario)

• Powers of enforcement (s. 54-65 in Ontario)
• The right of workers to refuse to do unsafe work (s. 43 in
Ontario)
• Protection of workers from reprisals (s. 50 in Ontario)
• Duties and responsibilities assigned to employers and others
(s.23-32 in Ontario)

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 10

 Duties & Responsibilities
of the Major Players

• Duties of Employers, Owners & Contractors:

• Ensuring equipment is provided and maintained;
• Appointing a competent supervisor;
• Providing information (including confidential) in a
medical emergency;
• Informing supervisors and workers of possible
hazards;
• Posting the OH&S Act in the workplace;
• Preparing and maintaining a OH&S policy and
reviewing it annually
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 11
 Duties & Responsibilities
of the Major Players

• Duties of Supervisors:
• Ensuring that workers comply with the OH&S Act
and regulations;
• Ensuring that workers use or wear safety equipment,
devices or clothing;
• Advising workers of possible hazards;
• Providing written instructions if applicable;
• Taking every reasonable precaution to ensure the
protection of workers
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 12
 Duties & Responsibilities
of the Major Players
• Duties of Workers:
• Complying with the OH&S Act and regulations;
• Properly using the safety equipment and clothes
provided;
• Reporting hazards, such as defective equipment, to the
supervisor
• Reporting any contraventions of the act or regulations

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 13

 Duties & Responsibilities of
the Major Players

• Joint Health & Safety Committees:

• Required by law where the primary function is to
provide a non-adversarial atmosphere in which labour
and management can work to create a healthier
workplace.
• Each workplace requiring a committee must train and
certify at least one management member and one
worker member.
• Certified members may be involved in inspections,
work refusals, and bilateral work stoppages.
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 14
 Work Refusals

• The right to refuse unsafe work without fear of

reprisals is now available to workers in every
jurisdiction in Canada.
• The worker does not have the right to refuse unsafe
work if the work is a normal condition of
employment or if the worker by their refusal places
another life in jeopardy.

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 Work Refusals

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 16

 Stop Work Provisions

• The provisions for stopping work take two forms,

one bilateral and the other unilateral.
• If a certified member of the JHSC has reason to
believe that a dangerous circumstance exists while
doing an inspection, they can ask a supervisor to
investigate and ask for remedial actions to take
place. If the circumstance still exists, work can be
stopped.

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 17

 Stop Work Provisions

Bilateral Work
Stoppage

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 18

 Stop Work Provisions

Unilateral
Work
Stoppage

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 19

 Environmental Legislation

• The health and safety professional will be

conscious of the overlap in environmental and
OH&S statutes and regulations.
• Chemicals that can cause damage to a worker may
also cause damage to the ecosystem if released
into the environment.

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 20

 Transportation of Dangerous
Goods

• The health and safety practitioner should be

familiar with the statutes relevant to their
particular jurisdiction.
• The federal legislation governing the
transportation of dangerous goods applies to all
persons who handle, offer for transport, transport,
or import any dangerous goods or anyone working
with or preparing the documentation for
dangerous goods.
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 21
 Corporate Liability

• Environmental and occupational health and safety

statutes have been amended to include broad
responsibilities for directors and officers.
• Liabilities that directors and officers now face are:
• Fines or imprisonment for corporate pollution causing or
permitting the discharge of liquid industrial waste into
the ground
• Cleanup costs associated with a property the corporation
owns, controls or occupies
• Fines for failing to comply with regulatory legislation
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 22
 WHMIS

• W ­ Workplace
• H ­ Hazardous
• M ­ Materials
• I ­ Information
• S ­ System
 Chemical Health Hazards

• Hazardous Materials at your work?

• Examples
– Silica
– Asbestos
– Solvents
– Paint
– Welding fume
– Ammonia
– Acids or Alkalies
– Chlorine
 Health Effects

• Irritation
• Nausea, Headache, Drowsiness
• Difficulty breathing
• Rashes
• Burns
• Cancer
• Many, many others
 Body Systems Affected
• Circulatory
– heart, blood, blood vessels
• Respiratory
– Lungs, trachea, nose
• Nervous
– brain, nerves
• Digestive
– mouth, stomach, intestine
• Reproductive
– eggs, sperm
• Skin
 Health Terms
• Acute
– brief, intense
• Chronic
– pronlonged or long term
• Latent Period
– time between exposure and disease
 More Health Terms
• Local
– effect at place of entry
• Systemic
– effect at place different than entry point
• Synergistic
– effect of two or more chemicals greater than each alone
– 5+5 = 100
 Routes of Entry for Chemicals
• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Absorption
• Injection

In 2016 there were approximately 2,710,042

human poisoning exposures .

 Most Important Routes of Entry
• Inhalation (usually)
 To Protect Yourself
• Recognize Hazards
• Assess Hazards
• Control Hazards

WHMIS Helps us to Recognize

and Assess Hazards
 Controlling Hazards
• At the source
• Along the path
• At the worker
 Effective Controls
• Adequately control the hazard
• Do not cause excessive discomfort or stress
• Protect every worker exposed to a hazard
• Eliminate hazard in workplace and environment
• Do not create a new hazard
 The WHMIS System
• Canada Wide System
• Provides information about hazardous
material for workers
• OHSA “The Right to Know”
– WHMIS Regulations
 Federal Legislation
• Hazardous products act
– Suppliers must provide labels and MSDS sheets
• Regulation respecting controlled products
– Sets criteria for WHMIS classes
• Hazardous Materials Information Review Act
– Criteria for handling confidential information
 Provincial Legislation
• Occupational Health and Safety Act was
amended
• New WHMIS Regulations added
 WHMIS Application
• Applies to all workplaces covered by
O.H.S.A.
• Enforced by the Ministry of Labour
Materials Covered by WHMIS
• Class A -Compressed
Gas
•Gas at room
temperature
•Compressed gases
•Dissolved gases
•Gases liquefied by
compression
•Refrigerated gases
 Flammable and Combustible

1: Flammable Gas
2: Flammable liquids
3: Combustible liquids
4: Flammable solids
5: Flammable aerosols
6: Reactive flammable
materials
Flammable and Combustible
Flammable Liquids
•Flashpoint
•< 37.8 °C
•Ethanol
•THF
•Toluene
•Acetone
•Methanol
•Hexane
Oxidizing Materials Oxidizers
•Causes or contributes to the
combustion of another
material by yielding oxygen or
any other oxidizing substance
•Nitrates (ammonium nitrate),
nitrites
•Bromates, chlorates
•Perchlorates, permanganates
•Nitric acid
“What is it that is not poison? All things
are poison and nothing is without poison.
It is the dose only that make a thing not a
poison”
Theophrastus Paracelsus (1493 - 1541)
 Materials Covered by WHMIS
• Class D-Poisonous and
infectious
– Causing immediate and
serious toxic effects
• Causing other toxic
effects

• Biohazardous
 Materials causing Immediate and
Serious Toxic Effects
•Immediate symptoms, e.g.,
nausea, headache, vomit
•Sub-division A: Very Toxic (low
LD50 and LC 50)
•Benzene, chlorine, phosphine
•Sub-division B: Toxic (higher
LD50 and LC50)
 Lethal Dose LD50/LC50
LD/LC = 0 LD/LC = 50 %
 Materials Causing Other Toxic
Effects
•Longer term effects, e.g.,
carcinogens, mutagens, sensitizers
• Ethidium Bromide (mutagen)
• Halothane (teratogen)
• Acrylamide (neuro toxic)
• Formaldehyde (suspected
carcinogen)
 Biohazardous Infectious Material

•Viruses (HIV, flu,

Hepatitis)
•Bacteria (E.coli,
salmonella, strep)
•Blood
•Animal or human tissue
•Tissue culture cells
 Corrosive Materials

•Substances that
corrode steel or
destroy human/animal
tissue
•Acids: Sulphuric acid
•Bases: Sodium
hydroxide
•Gases: Chlorine
 Dangerously Reactive Material
•Reacts violently with water to
produce a poisonous gas, e.g.,
alkali metal cyanides
•Undergoes vigorous
polymerization, decomposition, or
condensation, e.g., 1,3-butadiene
•Becomes self reactive under
conditions of shock, friction or
increase pressure or temperature,
e.g., metal azides, dry picric acid
 WHMIS 2015

• Differences
– Labels
– SDS Sheets
• Physical hazards group: based on the physical or chemical
properties of the product – such as flammability, reactivity,
or corrosivity to metals.
• Health hazards group: based on the ability of the product to
cause a health effect – such as eye irritation, respiratory
sensitization (may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or
breathing difficulties if inhaled), or carcinogenicity (may
cause cancer).
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 50
 WHMIS 2015 – Physical
Hazards

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 51

 WHMIS 2015 – Health
Hazards

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 52

 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes
Flammable gases These four classes cover products that
Flammable aerosols have the ability to ignite (catch fire)
Flammable liquids easily and the main hazards are fire or
Flammable solids explosion.
Oxidizing gases These three classes cover oxidizers,
Oxidizing liquids which may cause or intensify a fire or
Oxidizing solids cause a fire or explosion.
Gases under pressure This class includes compressed gases,
liquefied gases, dissolved gases and
refrigerated liquefied gases.
Compressed gases, liquefied gases and
dissolved gases are hazardous because of
the high pressure inside the cylinder or
container. The cylinder or container may
explode if heated. Refrigerated liquefied
gases are very cold and can cause severe
cold (cryogenic) burns or injury.

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 53

 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes
Self-reactive substances and mixtures These products may react on their own
to cause a fire or explosion, or may
cause a fire or explosion if heated.
Pyrophoric liquids These products can catch fire very
Pyrophoric solids quickly (spontaneously) if exposed to
Pyrophoric gases air.
Self-heating substances and mixtures These products may catch fire if
exposed to air. These products differ
from pyrophoric liquids or solids in that
they will ignite only after a longer
period of time or when in large
amounts.
Substances and mixtures which, in As the class name suggests, these
contact with water, emit flammable products react with water to release
gases flammable gases. In some cases, the
flammable gases may ignite very
quickly (spontaneously).
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 54
 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes
Organic peroxides These products may cause a fire or explosion if
heated.
Corrosive to metals These products may be corrosive (chemically damage
or destroy) to metals.

Combustible dust This class is used to warn of products that are finely
divided solid particles. If dispersed in air, the particles
may catch fire or explode if ignited.

Simple asphyxiants These products are gases that may displace oxygen in
air and cause rapid suffocation.

Physical hazards not otherwise classified This class is meant to cover any physical hazards that
are not covered in any other physical hazard class.
These hazards must have the characteristic of
occurring by chemical reaction and result in the
serious injury or death of a person at the time the
reaction occurs.If a product is classified in this class,
the hazard statement on the label and SDS will
describe the nature of the hazard.
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 55
 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes
Acute toxicity These products are fatal, toxic or harmful if inhaled,
following skin contact, or if swallowed.
Acute toxicity refers to effects occurring following
skin contact or ingestion exposure to a single dose,
or multiple doses given within 24 hours, or an
inhalation exposure of 4 hours.
Acute toxicity could result from exposure to the
product itself, or to a product that, upon contact
with water, releases a gaseous substance that is able
to cause acute toxicity.
Skin corrosion/irritation This class covers products that cause severe skin
burns (i.e., corrosion) and products that cause skin
irritation.
Serious eye damage/eye irritation This class covers products that cause serious eye
damage (i.e., corrosion) and products that eye
irritation.
Respiratory or skin sensitization A respiratory sensitizer is a product that may cause
allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing
difficulties if inhaled. Skin sensitizer is a product
that may cause an allergic skin reaction.
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 56
 WHMIS 2015 Hazard
Classes
Germ cell mutagenicity This hazard class includes products that may cause or are
suspected of causing genetic defects (permanent changes
(mutations) to body cells that can be passed on to future
generations).
Carcinogenicity This hazard class includes products that may cause or are
suspected of causing cancer.
Reproductive toxicity This hazard class includes products that may damage or
are suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
(baby).
Note: There is an additional category which includes
products that may cause harm to breast-fed children.
Specific target organ toxicity – single exposure This hazard class covers products that cause or may cause
damage to organs (e.g., liver, kidneys, or blood)
following a single exposure.
This class also includes a category for products that cause
respiratory irritation or drowsiness or dizziness.
Specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure This hazard class covers products that cause or may cause
damage to organs (e.g., liver, kidneys, or blood)
following prolonged or repeated exposure.
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 57
 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes
Aspiration hazard This hazard class is for products that may
be fatal if they are swallowed and enter
the airways.
Biohazardous infectious materials These materials are microorganisms,
nucleic acids or proteins that cause or is a
probably cause of infection, with or
without toxicity, in humans or animals.
Health hazards not otherwise classified This class covers products that are not
included in any other health hazard class.
These hazards have the characteristic of
occurring following acute or repeated
exposure and have an adverse effect on
the health of a person exposed to it -
including an injury or resulting in the
death of that person. If a product is
classified in this class, the hazard
statement will describe the nature of the
hazard.

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 58

 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 59

 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes
• The flame pictogram is used for the following classes and categories:
• Flammable gases (Category 1)
• Flammable aerosols (Category 1 and 2)
• Flammable liquids (Category 1, 2 and 3)
• Flammable solids (Category 1 and 2)
• Pyrophoric liquids (Category 1)
• Pyrophoric solids (Category 1)
• Pyrophoric gases (Category 1)
• Self-heating substances and mixtures (Category 1 and 2)
• Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
(Category 1, 2 and 3)
• Self-reactive substances and mixtures (Types B*, C, D, E and F)
• Organic peroxides (Types B*, C, D, E and F)

60
 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes

• The flame over circle pictogram is used for

the following classes and categories:
• Oxidizing gases (Category 1)
• Oxidizing liquids (Category 1, 2 and 3)
• Oxidizing solids (Category 1, 2 and 3)

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 61

 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes

• The gas cylinder pictogram is used for the

following classes and categories:
• Gases under pressure (Compressed gas,
Liquefied gas, Refrigerated liquefied gas,
and Dissolved gas)

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 62

 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes

• The corrosion pictogram is used for the

following classes and categories:
• Corrosive to metals (Category 1)
• Skin corrosion/irritation - Skin corrosion
(Category 1, 1A, 1B and 1C)
• Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Serious
eye damage ( Category 1)
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 63
 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes

• The exploding bomb pictogram is used for

the following classes and categories:
• Self-reactive substances and mixtures
(Types A and B*)
• Organic peroxides (Types A and B*)

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 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes

• The skull and crossbones pictogram is

used for the following classes and
categories:
• Acute toxicity -
– Oral (Category 1, 2 and 3)
– Dermal (Category 1, 2 and 3)
– Inhalation (Category 1, 2 and 3)

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 65

 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes

• The health hazard pictogram is used for the following classes and
categories:
• Respiratory or skin sensitization - Respiratory sensitizer (Category 1,
1A and 1B)
• Germ cell mutagenicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B and 2)
• Carcinogenicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B, and 2)
• Reproductive toxicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B and 2)
• Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single exposure (Category 1 and 2)
• Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Repeated exposure (Category 1 and
2)
• Aspiration hazard (Category 1)
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 66
 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes

• The exclamation mark pictogram is used for the

following classes and categories:
• Acute toxicity – Oral, Dermal, Inhalation (Category 4)
• Skin corrosion/irritation – Skin irritation (Category 2)
• Serious eye damage/eye irritation – Eye irritation
(Category 2 and 2A)
• Respiratory or skin sensitization – Skin sensitizer
(Category 1, 1A and 1B)
• Specific target organ toxicity – Single exposure (Category
3)
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 67
 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Classes

• The biohazardous infectious materials

pictogram is used for the following classes
and categories:
• Biohazardous Infectious Materials
(Category 1)

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 68

 WHMIS 2015 – Hazard
Categories

• Some categories have up to 5 levels

– The higher the number the higher the hazard
– The same is true of the types
– Category 1 is more hazardous than category 2
– Category 1A is more hazardous than category
1B

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 69

Colour Restrictions
Materials Not Covered by WHMIS

• Explosives (Explosives Act)

• Cosmetics, Drugs, Devices or Food
(Food and Drug Act)
• Hazardous Waste (TDG and EPA)
• Consumer Products
• Pesticides (Pest Control Products Act)
Materials Not Covered by WHMIS

• Radioactive materials (Atomic

Energy Control Act)
• Wood or Wood Products
• Tobacco or Tobacco Products
Consumer Product Labels
 How Does WHMIS Work

• Labels
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Worker Training
 Main Types of Labels – Old
WHMIS

• Supplier

• Workplace
 Supplier Label
• Product Identifier
• Hazard symbols
• Risk Phrases
• Precautions
• First Aid
• Reference to MSDS
• Supplier
identification
 WHMIS 2015 - Label

• Product Identifier
• Initial supplier identifier
• Pictogram(s)
• Signal word
• Hazard statement(s)
• Precautionary statement(s)
• Supplemental label information

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 WHMIS 2015 - Label

• Signal word – Danger or Warning

– Based on the degree of the hazard
• Hazard statement
– Standardized statements that summarize the
hazard
• i.e. Extremely flammable gas
• Fatal if inhaled
• May cause cancer

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 WHMIS 2015 - Label

• Precautionary statement
– 5 types
• General
• Prevention
• Response (including first aid)
• Storage
• Disposal

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 79

 Workplace Label

• Product Identifier
• Safe Handling
Instructions
• Reference to
MSDS
 WHMIS 2015 - Workplace
Label

Same as before
•Product Identifier
•Safe Handling
Instructions
•Reference to
MSDS
 Workplace Label Required

When material is:

• Produced in workplace
• Decanted from a labeled container into
another container
– Not used immediately
– Or may be left unattended
• Original supplier label damaged or
missing
 Material Safety Data Sheets
• Provide detailed information
about a product
• Must be on site
• Less than three years old
• Must meet Haz. Prod. Act
Criteria
• Now an International standard
– Sixteen categories
• WHMIS 2015 – Now called
Safety Date Sheets (SDS)
 MSDS/SDS Requirements
1. Product Information
2. Hazardous Ingredients
3. Physical Data
4. Fire or Explosion Hazard
5. Reactivity Data
6. Toxicological Properties
7. Preventive Measures
8. First Aid Measures
9. Preparation Information
 MSDS/SDS Requirements

• Must be in languages spoken in the

workplace
• MSDS must be updated as soon as new
information is available
• Hazardous ingredients must be listed
 Material Safety Data Sheet:
Information Categories

1. Identification
– Product identifier
– Other means of identification
– Recommended use
– Restrictions on use
– Manufacturer and/or supplier info
– Emergency number
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 2

2. Hazard Identification
• Hazard classification (class, category) of substance or mixture or a
description of the identified hazard for Physical or Health Hazards
Not Otherwise Classified
• Label elements:
– Symbol (image) or the name of the symbol (e.g., flame, skull and
crossbones)
– Signal word
– Hazard statement(s)
– Precautionary statement(s)
• Other hazards which do not result in classification (e.g., molten metal
hazard)
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 3
3. Composition/Information on ingredient
• When a hazardous product is a material or substance:
– Chemical name
– Common name and synonyms
– Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry number and any unique identifiers
– Chemical name of impurities, stabilizing solvents and/or additives*
• For each material or substance in a mixture that is classified in a health hazard
class**:
– Chemical name
– Common name and synonyms
– CAS registry number and any unique identifiers
– Concentration
• NOTE: Confidential business information rules can apply
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 4

4. First-aid measures
• First-aid measures by route of exposure:
– Inhalation
– Skin contact
– Eye contact
– Ingestion
• Most important symptoms and effects (acute or delayed)
• Immediate medical attention and special treatment, if
necessary
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 5

4. Fire-fighting measures
• Suitable extinguishing media
• Unsuitable extinguishing media
• Specific hazards arising from the hazardous product (e.g.,
hazardous combustion products)
• Special protective equipment and precautions for fire-
fighters
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 6

6. Accidental Release Measures

• Personal precautions, protective equipment
and emergency procedures
• Methods and materials for containment
and cleaning up
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 7

7. Handling and Storage

• Precautions for safe handling
• Conditions for safe storage (including
incompatible materials)
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 8

8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

• Control parameters, including occupational
exposure guidelines or biological exposure
limits and the source of those values
• Appropriate engineering controls
• Individual protection measures (e.g.
personal protective equipment)
MSDS/SDS Categories: 9
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 10

10. Stability and Reactivity

• Reactivity
• Chemical stability
• Possibility of hazardous reactions
• Conditions to avoid (e.g., static discharge,
shock, or vibration)
• Incompatible materials
• Hazardous decomposition products
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 11

11.Toxicological Information
Concise but complete description of the various toxic health
effects and the data used to identify those effects, including:
• Information on the likely routes of exposure (inhalation,
ingestion, skin and eye contact)
• Symptoms related to the physical, chemical and toxicological
characteristics
• Delayed and immediate effects, and chronic effects from
short-term and long-term exposure
• Numerical measures of toxicity
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 12

12.Ecological Information
• Ecotoxicity
• Persistence and degradability
• Bioaccumulative potential
• Mobility in soil
• Other adverse effects
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 13 - 14

13. Disposal considerations - Information on safe handling for

disposal and methods of disposal, including any contaminated
packaging
14. Transport Information
• UN number
• UN proper shipping name
• Transport hazard class(es)
• Packing group
• Environmental hazards
• Transport in bulk, if applicable
• Special precautions
 MSDS/SDS Categories: 15-16

15. Regulatory Information

– Safety, health and environmental regulations
specific to the product
16. Other information
– Date of the latest revision of the SDS
 WHMIS Training
Requirements

• Labels
• MSDS
• Hazard Information
• Emergency Procedures
• Workplace Specifics
• Reviewed annually or as changes occur
• JHSC consulted
 Employer’s Responsibilities

• All controlled products must have Labels

and MSDSs on site
• MSDSs up to date and accessible
• Workers are trained
 Duties of the
Manufacturer/Supplier

• Classify product
• Apply supplier label
• Provide MSDS
 Worker’s Responsibilities

• Participate in training
• Apply knowledge and training
 Summary

• This chapter has outlined the scope of this

legislation and the changing climate surrounding
it.
• A focus on some of the duties of the major
stakeholders under legislation has been described.
• Elements of WHMIS have also been outlined.

© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 104

 Learning Outcomes

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

 Describe the regulatory framework surrounding
occupational health and safety
 Outline the duties of the major players under
occupational health and safety legislation
 Describe the structure and role of joint health and
safety committees
 List and describe the three central elements of a
WHMIS program
 Describe the purpose and basic provisions of the
transportation of dangerous goods acts
© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 105