WHMIS and OSHA Labels

www.ccohs.ca

WHMIS and OSHA Labels

Presented by:Jessie Callaghan

Senior Technical Specialist

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety www.ccohs.ca

Today’s Presentation

Review current WHMIS and OSHA supplier label requirements

Compare WHMIS and OSHA label requirements to the GHS label requirements

Provide some insight into how you can write WHMIS- and OSHA-compliant labels today with an eye to GHS implementation


WHMIS Supplier Label



New GHS Label Elements

Chemical identity (listing of hazardous ingredients)

Signal word (Danger or Warning)


WHMIS Hazard Symbols vs. GHS Pictograms


“A statementstatement identifying a hazardhazard that may arise from the nature of the controlled product or the class, division or subdivision of controlled products.”

“A phrase assignedassigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazards of hazardous product, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard.”

WHMIS Risk Phrases GHS Hazard Statements


“A statement identifying a hazardhazard that may arise from the nature of the controlled product or the class, division or subdivision of controlled products.”

“A phrase assignedassigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazards of hazardous product, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard.”

WHMIS Risk Phrases GHS Hazard Statements

It may be possible to use a GHS Hazard Statement as your WHMIS Risk Phrase if it accurately describes the product’s hazards.


A product with a flash point (closed cup) of 65ºC is a WHMIS “combustible liquid” AND a GHS “combustible liquid” (Cat. 4).

A product with a flash point (closed cup) of 50ºC is a WHMIS “combustible liquid” AND a GHS “Flammable liquid and vapour” (Cat. 3).


Using the GHS Hazard Statement “Fatal if swallowed” for a product classified as WHMIS D1A (oral) will take you one step closer to being GHS ready.


WHMIS Precautionary Measures“Precautionary measures to be followed when handling, using or being exposed to the controlled product.”

GHS Precautionary Statements“Recommended measures that should be taken to minimise or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous product, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous product.”


WHMIS Precautionary Measures

WHMIS First Aid Measures“Where appropriate, first aid measures to be taken in case of exposure to a controlled product.”

GHS Precautionary Statements“Recommended measures that should be taken to minimise or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous product, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous product.”

Statement Types:1. General2. Prevention3. Response (fire, first aid,

accidental release)

4. Storage5. Disposal


GHS Precautionary Statements Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation – Category 2(A)

Hazard Statement: Causes serious eye irritation.

Prevention: Wash…thoroughly after handling. Wear eye protection/face protection.

Response: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention.

Storage: None recommended.

Disposal: None recommended.


GHS Precautionary Statements Gas Under Pressure – Compressed Gas

Prevention: None recommended

Response: None recommended

Storage: Protect from sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place.

Disposal: None recommended


WHMIS Label Elements Not Required by the GHS

Hatched border

Reference to MSDS

These elements must be

present on a WHMIS-

compliant label today.

It is not known if they will be

retained following

implementation of the GHS in

WHMIS.






WHMIS Workplace Label

Product Identifier

Information for the safe handling of the product

A statement that the MSDS is available

There are no GHS specifications for a workplace

label.


OSHA-Compliant Label

Identity of hazardous chemical

Name and address of responsible party

Appropriate hazard warnings



ANSI Standard (Z129.1)

Identification of the chemical product

Identification of its hazardous component(s)

Name, address, telephone number of the manufacturer, importer or other responsible party

Signal word (Danger, Warning, Caution)

Statement(s) of hazard(s)

Precautionary measures

Instructions in case of contact or exposure (first aid)

Antidotes, and notes to physician

Instructions in case of fire

Instructions in case of spill or leak

Instructions for container handling and storage

Reference(s) to additional labeling/other documents


OSHA permits the use of graphics: pictures, symbols, or combination thereof appearing on a label or other appropriate form of warning which convey the specific physical or health hazard(s), including target organ effects, of the chemical(s) in the container(s).

Source: Fact Sheet #4 Labeling – OSHA vs. GHS (Jan. 2010). Produced by SCHC-OSHA Alliance GHS Information Sheet Workgroup. Available at www.schc.org.

Pictograms


OSHA Position

“… as long as the EU GHS label contains the information required by the HCS, OSHA will

consider the EU GHS label sufficient.”

Source: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATI

ONS&p_id=27218




Start using GHS Hazard and Precautionary Statements now, as appropriate, adding any OSHA-specific information required.




Preparing for Change

• Compare the WHMIS and/or OSHA hazards of your products to the GHS hazards.

• Start transitioning your label content as you update or write new labels, as appropriate.

WHMIS and OSHA Labels

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