This document provides an introduction to a WHMIS training program for employees at Redlen Technologies. It explains that the goal of the training is to help employees learn how to work safely with hazardous chemicals. It outlines how to navigate the self-paced training, which includes reading materials, self-assessments, and a final online assessment. Completing the training and achieving a score of at least 70% is required. The document emphasizes applying what is learned to keep oneself and coworkers safe on the job.

1. Workplace
Hazardous
Material
Information
System
Redlen Technologies Self-Teach
Training program

2. Welcome to WHMIS
Welcome! This self-teach program is designed to help you learn how to keep yourself safe
when working with hazardous chemicals here at Redlen. It will also provide you with some
insight as to your rights and responsibilities as an employee, and Redlen’s responsibilities to
protect you.
Be sure to set aside time to work through this program without distractions. If you have any
questions, please ask! Our goal is to help you learn how to do your job safely.
Throughout this program you will come across links to self check assessments. These are
online and will give you instant feedback on your ability to understand and apply the
material.
The final written assessment is also online, and will be printed out to file in our records. The
assessment is entirely “open book” and you may use any materials provided in this
program during the assessment. If you score less than 70% you will be asked to participate
in additional WHMIS training.
To get the most out of this program, you should:
1.
Read all of the material and complete the self-assessments as you go.
2.
Complete the final online assessment and learn your score from your Trainer.
3.
Apply what you have learned on the job to keep yourself and your co-workers safe.

3. Why do I need WHMIS training?
If you look around Redlen, you will find hazardous products such as
acids, solvents, compressed gases, oils, cleaners, printer toners,
and many others used every day. No matter what job you do, at
some point you will come face to face with them.
The purpose of WHMIS is to protect the health and safety of
Canadian workers from these hazardous products.
• It provides information on the hazards and protection measures
for hazardous products used in the workplace.
• It requires the participation of:
– Manufacturers/Suppliers
– Employers
– Employees

4. After training you will be able to:
• Explain what WHMIS is and how it affects you
• Identify hazardous products in the workplace
• Explain the information on a WHMIS supplier and
workplace label
• Find, use, and understand the information on an
MSDS / SDS
Once you can do this, you will be able to handle,
store, and use hazardous products in a safe manner,
and continue your task-specific on-the-job training.

5. After your on-the-job training you
will be able to:
• Identify the hazardous material(s) with which you’re
working
• Explain the hazards of the material(s): health,
environmental, compatibility and reactivity, etc
• Explain how you protect yourself from those hazards:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), engineering
controls, administrative controls
• Explain what to do in the event of an emergency with
the material(s): spill, fire, first aid, etc
• Identify where to find additional information

6. Redlen is required to provide all the health
and safety information about the hazardous
products that you work with, or near, and
provide you with training on how to
understand it.
It is up to YOU to apply that knowledge in
your daily work!

7. What is WHMIS?
Workplace
– Deals with products used in the workplace
Hazardous Materials
– Dangerous products which may cause fires, explosions, health
problems, or environmental concerns
Information System
– Provides critical information about hazardous materials to
employees using and working near, or supervising those who
use and work near hazardous materials
It is a Canadian system of regulations for use within
Canadian workplaces

8. Not everything is subject to
WHMIS:
Some materials are Partially
Exempt.
Some materials are Completely
Exempt.
• No WHMIS supplier label or
MSDS required- already
covered by other
legislation.
• Education, Training, and
Workplace labels still
required
• E.G. Food and drugs,
medical devices, radioactive
substances, etc
• No WHMIS requirements
• Occupational Health
&Safety (OH&S) regulations
may still apply
• E.G. Wood and products
made of wood, Tobacco and
Tobacco products,
hazardous wastes, or
materials which do NOT fall
into any WHMIS class (such
as Tellurium)

9. HOW WELL ARE YOU DOING? TAKE
THE SELF-ASSESSMENT TO CHECK!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RedlenWHMISintro
(If hyperlink not working: Right click and select “Open Hyperlink,” or copy/paste address into Internet Explorer)

10. But what ARE the hazards?
Different materials pose different hazards to you. It is the
responsibility of the Supplier/ Manufacturer to classify a
product.
– Classification is based on the types of hazards the material poses
– A material may fall into multiple classes
– WHMIS has 6 classes with a corresponding 8 hazard symbols to
quickly communicate the material’s hazards.
Know the symbol = Know the Hazard!

11. Class A- Compressed Gases
Description
• Pressurized gas contained in
a cylinder or tank (eg
Hydrogen, Argon, Nitrogen,
Oxygen)
• May explode if heated: heat
causes gases to expand,
increasing the internal
pressure.
• May explode if dropped: if
cylinder is damaged, gases
will escape through the
damaged (weakened) area
How to protect yourself
• Handle with care: do not
drop
• Keep away from fires or
potential ignition sources.
NO SMOKING NEAR TANKS!
• Cylinders must be stabilized
against a wall with straps or
other similar containment
• When transporting, use
carts which have safety
chains or straps to hold tank

12. Class B- Flammable & Combustible
Description
• Will catch fire and burn (eg
Acetone, Methanol,
Hydrogen)
• May ignite spontaneously in
air at the right temperature
• May release a flammable
gas when in contact with
water
• May cause fire when
exposed to heat, spark,
flames
How to protect yourself
• Keep material away from
heat sources (hot plates,
soldering irons, etc.)
• Keep material away from
ignition sources (sparks,
flames, etc.)
• Store containers only in
designated areas (such as
fire suppressant cabinets)

13. Class C- Oxidizing Material
Description
• Provides oxygen to a flame
(eg. Bromine, oxygen)
• May react violently or
explode when in contact
with combustibles such as
fuels
• May spontaneously ignite
when in contact with
combustibles such as wood
• May burn skin and eyes
How to protect yourself
• Wear proper personal
protective equipment (PPE)
such as gloves, safety glasses,
lab coat, etc. when handling
• Keep away from flammables
and combustibles
• Keep away from ignition
sources
• Store containers only in
designated areas

14. Class D1- Poisonous and Infectious
Immediate, serious toxic effects
Description
• May cause immediate,
deadly health effects (eg
Nitric Acid, Hydrofluoric
Acid)
• Are potentially fatal, even in
small amounts
• May cause permanent
damage
• May burn eyes and skin
upon contact
How to protect yourself
• Use EXTREME CAUTION!
• Avoid contact with skin and
eyes. Wear Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) including
safety glasses, gloves, lab coat,
etc.
• Avoid inhaling. Use in well
ventilated area (such as a fume
hood or Biological Safety
Cabinet)
• Store only in designated areas

15. Class D2- Poisonous and Infectious
Other Toxic Effects
Description
• Materials causing
immediate irritation, or long
term (chronic) effects, (eg
Cd dust, Hexane)
• Poisonous substances that
are not immediately
dangerous
• May cause long term
problems such as cancer
• May be a skin or eye irritant
• May be a skin sensitizer
How to protect yourself
• Handle with caution
• Avoid contact with skin and
eyes. Wear Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) including
safety glasses, gloves, and lab
coat
• Avoid inhaling. Use in well
ventilated area (such as a fume
hood or Biological Safety
Cabinet)
• Store only in designated areas

16. Class D3- Poisonous and Infectious
Biohazardous
Description
• Contains harmful microorganisms: viruses and
bacteria (eg salmonella,
HIV)
• May cause serious disease,
which may lead to death
How to protect yourself
• Take every possible
measure to avoid
contamination
• Only handle when using full
proper protective
equipment and clothing
• Store in designated areas

17. Class E- Corrosive
Description
• Acidic or Caustic materials
which can destroy skin or
eat through metals (eg.
Nitric Acid, Hydrofluoric
Acid, Sodium Hydroxide)
• Cause severe skin and eye
irritation/ damage upon
contact
• May cause tissue damage
upon prolonged contact
• May be harmful if inhaled
How to protect yourself
• Avoid contact with skin and
eyes. Wear Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE)
including safety glasses,
gloves, and lab coat
• Avoid inhaling. Use in well
ventilated area (such as a
fume hood)
• Store only in designated
areas

18. Class F- Dangerously Reactive
Description
• Can undergo a dangerous
reaction when exposed to
heat, shock, pressure, or
water (eg Bromine, cyanide)
• Very unstable
• May release a toxic or
flammable gas when in
contact with water
• May explode from shocks,
friction, or increase in
temperature
How to protect yourself
• Keep materials away from
heat
• Do not drop containers
• Store in a cool, flame-proof
area

19. Take a moment to consider:
You see a label with
these two symbols on it.
What sort of
precautions should you
take?

20. Take a moment to consider:
This material is
POISONOUS/INFECTIOUS causing
IMMEDIATE SERIOUS EFFECTS (class
D1) and CORROSIVE (class E). To
protect yourself, wear full protective
clothing including gloves, lab coat,
safety glasses, etc. Only open the
container and work with the material
inside a designated well vented workspace such as a fume hood. Avoid
inhaling it, or getting it on your skin.

21. Routes of Entry (or How it gets
in your body)
With all hazardous materials, the key to knowing how to
protect yourself is to know how it may affect you during
use, or during an emergency (fire, spill, etc).
– Inhalation: is there a chance you will breathe in fumes (small
particulates), dust, mists/aerosols, or vapours (gases)? If so,
protect your lungs with a respirator, fume hood, BSC
(Biological Safety Cabinet), or similar!
– Ingestion: is there a chance you will swallow the material, or
get it on your lips? If so, protect your face with a face shield!
– Absorption: Is there a chance the material will be absorbed by
your skin, will cause surface tissue damage, or will be injected
(such as by air pressure)? If so, protect your skin with gloves,
lab coats, sleeve protectors, and face protection!

22. HOW WELL ARE YOU DOING? TAKE
THE SELF-ASSESSMENT TO CHECK!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RedlenWHMISHazards
(If hyperlink not working: Right click and select “Open Hyperlink,” or copy/paste address into Internet Explorer)

23. WHMIS consists of 3 components
to communicate hazards:
Education & Training
Labels
MSDS / SDS
• Used to provide
• Used to ensure
• Purpose is to
detailed
everyone knows
alert workers to
information to
how to read labels
a products
workers and
and MSDS
potential
employers
hazards
• This presentation
regarding a
is for general
product’s hazards
education.
and protection
Material specific
measures
training will be
part of your Onthe-Job training.

24. WHMIS labels
A WHMIS label is often your first indication that the
material is hazardous. The label tells you how to handle
the product safely, and directs you to the MSDS for more
information.
What you want to learn from the WHMIS labels are:
• What are the hazards of the product?
• How can you use it safely?
• What should you do if something goes wrong?
• Where can you find more information?

25. There are 2 types of WHMIS labels
Supplier Label
• Comes with the material
from the supplier
• Standardized format for
easy recognition
• Contains 7 pieces of
information
Workplace Label
• Created on the worksite
when the material is
transferred to a different
container
• Affixed by the employee
(you) who transferred the
material
• No standard format
• Contains 4 pieces of
information

26. Supplier label must include
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Product Identifier: Must
exactly match the MSDS
Risk Phrases: Tell you the
Hazards
Hazard Symbols: Tell you
the Hazards
First Aid measures: Tell
you what to do in an
emergency
Precautionary measures:
Tell you how to use it
safely
Refer to MSDS: Tells you
where to find more info
Supplier name and address:
Tells you where to find
more info
• Must have a distinct “hash mark” border for easy identification.
• Must be bilingual (English and French, Canada’s official languages)

27. Workplace labels must include
• Product Identifier
Must exactly match the MSDS
• Risk Phrases
Tells you the hazards
• Precautionary Measures
Tells you how to protect yourself
•
• Reference to MSDS
Tells you where to find more information
•
No standard format, but MUST
include these 4 items of information.
May be in the “language of the
workplace.” At Redlen, that is English.
Used on-site for secondary containers

28. Examples of Work Place Labels
available on Redlen’s Database:
Used for dry CZT contaminated waste:
Used for waste water:
Used for liquid organic waste:
User-Completed:
Cross out hazard symbols which do not apply

29. Take a moment to consider:
You see this label on a
jar on the plant floor.
What precautions
should you take before
working with this
material?

30. Take a moment to consider:
We use organic solvents throughout the plant for
various operations.
• They are flammable, so caution should be
taken to keep it away from heat sources (such
as hot plates or soldering irons), sparks, or
flames.
• It can cause immediate irritation, so care
must be taken not to get any on your skin.
• It can cause long term chronic effects, so care
must be taken to protect your lungs and soft
tissues: use in a fume hood, or wear a
respirator with a suitable cartridge filter.

31. Labelling Responsibility
• Manufacturers are responsible for Supplier Labels
• Employers are responsible to replace supplier labels if
they are illegible, and to provide adequate materials
and training for creation of workplace labels
• Employees (YOU) are responsible to create Work
Place labels, affix Work Place labels, and to notify your
supervisor if a label becomes illegible (torn, ink runs,
etc). Only replace a label when you are 100% certain
of the contents.
DO NOT USE A CHEMICAL IF THE LABEL IS NOT CLEAR!

32. Other means of Identification
Sometimes labels are impractical. Materials still require a
way to identify them, so other means of identification may
be used. E.g.
–
–
–
–
Colour coded piping systems
Hazardous Waste produced in the workplace
Placards in front of beakers/flasks/test tubes
When one operator is in complete control of a substance, and it
is never left unattended (including lunch breaks, shift end, and
passing off to another operator)
Training is required to ensure everyone knows what the
“other means” in use are, and what they mean.

33. What you need to do on the job
• Read the Supplier label BEFORE using any material to
understand the hazards
• Apply workplace labels every time you transfer material
to a new container (eg. Bottle, etch vessel, bucket, etc).
Never assume your co-workers know what you’re
working with. Tell them with a label!
• Never put a material into a container labelled for a
different material
• Never put a label on a container if you are not 100%
certain of it’s contents
An improperly labelled container is a very high safety
risk!

34. HOW WELL ARE YOU DOING? TAKE
THE SELF-ASSESSMENT TO CHECK!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RedlenWHMISlabels
(If hyperlink not working: Right click and select “Open Hyperlink,” or copy/paste address into Internet Explorer)

35. MSDS and SDS
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
are technical documents which provide detailed information on the
hazards and protection measures for each material. They also
contain information on safe handling practices, emergency
procedures, and storage requirements for the material, which is a
great tool for employers to use for setting up safety programs.
MSDS must be updated every 3 years to ensure information
remains current.
What you want to learn from the MSDS is:
• What are the hazards of the product?
• How can you use it safely?
• What should you do if something goes wrong?

36. MSDS help answer “What are the
hazards?”
They Include:
• Fire and Explosion data
– When and how it can catch fire
• Reactivity data
– What it reacts with
– Under what conditions it will react
• Toxicological properties including routes of
entry and associated symptoms; listed in terms
of LD50/LC50 numbers and Exposure Limits
–
–
–
–
–
LD50 is the Lethal Dose: ingestion/absorption
LC50 is the Lethal Concentration: inhalation
Lethal to 50% of an animal test population
Lower the LD/LC numbers, the more lethal the substance is!
STEL: Short Term Exposure Limit (15 minutes) and TWAE: Time Weighted
Average Exposure (Averaged over an 8hour period)
– Exposure to potential inhalation hazards: particulate, fume, vapour,
aerosols

37. MSDS help answer “How can you use it
safely?”
Lists Preventative measures
including:
• Recommended Engineering
controls
• Recommended Personal
Protective Equipment

38. MSDS help answer “What should
you do if something goes wrong?”
• Includes information on First Aid
measures
• Includes information on Spill clean-up
procedures
• Includes information on Reactivity and
incompatible chemicals
• Includes information on Fire Fighting
procedures

39. Where can I find the MSDS?
By law, Redlen is required to have MSDS available for you
to review for ALL hazardous products which fall under
WHMIS. MSDS must be readily available to anyone using,
or working near the hazardous material.
MSDS are accessible in the Document Cards on the
Redlen Database, and in binders stored near the THM
prep area (room #160) in the hallway.
They are maintained by the Safety Committee.

40. Understanding the MSDS
MSDS are technical documents, and use technical
language. Because of this, they may be challenging to
understand.
Attached is a glossary of the common terms and
acronyms used on MSDS to help you interpret how
severe the hazards may be.
To open it, double click on the icon when NOT in
slideshow mode. Feel free to print it and keep on hand
as a reference. It is also available on the database as
RPT-09-007.

41. What you need to do on the job
• Read the MSDS or SDS BEFORE using any material to
understand the hazards
• Ask yourself, your Trainer, and your Supervisor:
– What are the hazards? Consider chemical reactions, pressure
explosions, thermal or chemical burns, inhalation hazards,
risk of cut or other injury, etc.
– How can I work with this safely? Consider using a fume hood,
light shields, downdraft tables, specific PPE, etc
– What should I do if something goes wrong? Consider what to
do in the event of a spill, a fire, skin exposure, etc. Do you
know Redlen’s evacuation plan, paging procedure, and the
location of fire extinguishers, first aid equipment, and spill
supplies?

42. HOW WELL ARE YOU DOING? TAKE
THE SELF-ASSESSMENT TO CHECK!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RedlenWHMISMSDS
(If hyperlink not working: Right click and select “Open Hyperlink,” or copy/paste address into Internet Explorer)

43. For more information:
• Contact the WHMIS Trainers with any questions
you may have.
• Check out the WHMIS Course Material available
on the server:
– WorkSafe BC’s WHMIS PDF publications:
• WHMIS at Work
• WHMIS Participant Work Book
• WHMIS Core Material
– PPE guides
– and more!

44. ARE READY FOR THE FINAL
ASSESSMENT?
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RedlenWHMIS2
(If hyperlink not working: Right click and select “Open Hyperlink,” or copy/paste address into Internet Explorer)
Please answer all questions and click the “done” button at the end to notify the
Training Coordinator that you have finished.
Totals will only be sent out to Redlen Employees.