Module 5

This module provides information other information about WHMIS, including.

WHMIS and Physical Agents
WHMIS and Laboratories
WHMIS and School Boards
Exemptions from WHMIS

Heat Stress
Cold Stress
Radiation
Noise
Vibration

Physical Agents - Heat Stress

Working in hot environments can be uncomfortable and also, may adversely affect our health.

Hazards

Exposure to heat may cause:
Heat Stroke
Heat Edema
Heat Rashes
Heat Cramps
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Syncope (fainting)

Precautions:

Wear loose cotton clothing, which provides adequate protection in hot and humid conditions.
A schedule of work-rest periods is generally recommended for working in hot conditions.
You should drink plenty of cool (10 - 15 degrees Celsius) water or fruit drink every 15 to 20 minutes even though you may not feel thirsty.

Physical Agents - Cold Stress

Working in cold conditions can be dangerous to those unprepared, and without adequate protective clothing.

Hazards:

Hypothermia results from the cooling of the deep inner body or "core" to a temperature below 34.5 degrees Celsius due to prolonged exposure to cold which can be very fatal.
Frostbite is freezing of the body tissues as a result of extremely cold temperatures or contact with extremely cold metallic objects such as an automobile or a fence.

Precautions:

Wear multiple layers of light weight loose fitting clothing.
Eye protection must be separate from respiratory channels (nose and mouth).
The outer layer of clothing should be water proofed for work in wet conditions.
Clothing should be kept clean and dry
Gloves should be used below 4 degrees for light work and below -7 degrees for moderate work. For work below -17.5 degrees mittens should be used.
Felt lined, rubber bottomed, leather-topped boots with removable felt insoles are best suited for heavy work in cold.

Physical Agents - Radiation

Exposure to Radiation may affect the body both externally and internally, it is measured in millisieverts (mSv) or REM.

1 rem = 10 mSv Exposure

x-rays
Laser
Radio Frequency
Microwave
Ultraviolet
Visible and Infrared
Low Frequency

Hazards:

Cancers in exposed persons
Growth abnormality and cancers in children from exposure during pregnancy
Genetic diseases in descendants of exposed parents
Eye damage
Retinal damage
Central Nervous System Effects

Precautions:

Limit exposure time
Use barriers and shields
Use approved Personal Protective Equipment

Physical Agents - Noise

Noise is unwanted sound that is measured in decibels - dB, dB(A).

Hazards:

Causes hearing loss and stress

Precautions:

Use of hearing protectors

Phsical Agents - Vibration

Vibration exposure occurs in two ways :

Whole body vibration exposure While driving a tractor over bumpy terrain
Hand-arm vibration exposure while operating a vibrating hand-held tool such as a chain saw.

Vibration is measured in units of meters per second squared

Exposure by contact from vibrating machines and tools.

Hazards:

White finger disease
Musculoskeletal disorders

Precautions:

Ergonomic tools
Breaks

Laboratories

Supplier labels from laboratory supply houses, packaged in quantities of 10 kilograms or more, and intended for laboratory use, must have:

product identifier
risk phrases
precautionary measures
first aid measures
reference to availability of MSDS

Small containers (less than 100 ml) are permitted to carry a shorter version of the supplier label.

SCHOOL BOARDS

Labelling

The Ontario Ministry of Labour considers school science classrooms to be laboratories and therefore workplace labels for decanted products are required.

If the controlled product is decanted or transferred to a secondary container, like a beaker or a flask, it must be clearly marked with the product name. No other labelling information is required. This also applies to chemical reagents that are decanted into smaller containers, like a beaker.

Controlled products typically used in school boards:

Formaldehyde, mercury	- Science labs
Varsol, paint	- Auto shop
Stains, paint, contact cement	- Woodworking shop
Developers, fixers	- Photo lab
Toner, whiteboard cleaner	- Office cleaning products, waxes
Floor strippers	- Custodial
Degreasers, adhesives, epoxy resins, aerosol lubricants	- Maintenance
Boiler treatment chemicals, anhydrous ammonia	- Plant
Gasoline, varsol	- Landscaping
Degreasers, oven cleaners	- Food Services

Art Supplies

Many art materials are labelled non-toxic. These products should provide an extra margin of safety compared to products that have acute and/or chronic health warnings. However be aware of the following when you are using "non-toxic" art products.

In addition to being labelled non-toxic, the label must also state that the product conforms to ASTM D-4236. Be suspicious of products simply labelled non-toxic.
Chemicals, which have never been tested for toxicity, may be labelled non-toxic even if those chemicals are related to substances known to have chronic hazards.
Products containing substances known to be toxic in industrial settings may be labelled with cancer warnings if the user is warned not to spray to apply the paint.

Exemptions from WHMIS

Some products are exempted from WHMIS and do not have to be classified by their suppliers. This includes certain types of hazardous materials that are exempt fully and partially because they are already regulated under other existing federal or provincial legislation, or because they are regarded as being a low hazard.

There are ten (10) types of products that are exempted, in whole or in part, from WHMIS.

These include:

Explosives covered under the Explosive Act.
Cosmetics, drugs, food and devices covered under the Food and Drug Act.
Pest control products covered under the Pest and Control Products Act.
Radioactive substances covered under the Atomic Energy Control Act.
Wood or products made of wood
Manufactured articles
Controlled products that cannot endanger worker health due to their physical shape or size (e.g. gravel containing silica)
Tobacco or tobacco products
Hazardous wastes
Restricted products when packaged as consumer products.

There are six "self-test" questions for this section. If you think you're ready, go to Question 1 now. If you think you'd like another look at the content before you test yourself, go back to Responsibilities, or to the beginning of the module.