Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

As the university is considered a work place, all biology students are required by law to be familiar with the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). This system applies to all hazardous materials, also termed controlled products. Please read the following carefully.

WHMIS is comprised of 3 main elements, each independent but complementary:

1. Labels
2. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
3. Worker Education and Training

I - Labels

The label is a key element of the WHMIS, and it is the most widely distributed element of the information system.

• The label alerts the employers and workers to the hazards of the controlled product
• The label provides easily understood information about the risks involved and precautions when handling the product.

II - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

The second element of the WHMIS is the MSDS. An MSDS is a technical bulletin which provides more detailed information about a hazardous product concerning:

• The potential health effects of exposure to the product and how to protect workers;
• Hazard evaluations related to the use, storage and disposal of the product;
• Emergency procedure.

All MSDS provide information under the following seven categories:

• product information
• hazardous ingredients
• physical data
• fire and explosion
• reactivity data
• toxicological properties
• preventive measures

III - Worker Education And Training

WHMIS training requirements are designed to ensure that personnel know and understand hazards and safe handling information applying to controlled products in their workplace. All personnel (including students) who work with or in the vicinity of controlled products will receive specific training in the safe use, storage, handling and disposal of the relevant controlled products.
This training will be provided in ways which ensure that personnel are able to apply the information obtained and demonstrate their understanding of required procedures.

Handling Controlled Products

• Safe use and handling information can be found on the MSDS sheet provided.
• Under no circumstances can a controlled substance be thrown into the garbage, or poured down the drain.
• Chemicals requiring disposal should be labeled and left by the sink in the lab, Biology staff will dispose of the material in the proper manner.

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