|
 To
find the definitions to terms used in the WHMIS course, please click on
the letters below.
A | B | C
| D | E | F | G
| H | I | J | K
| L | M | N
O | P | Q | R
| S | T | U | V
| W | X | Y | Z
A
Absorption
Absorption is one of the four main ways hazardous materials may enter
your body. Hazardous materials may be absorbed through your skin or your
eyes.
Acid
An acid gives a solution with a pH of less than 7 when it is dissolved
in water. An acid reacts with a base in a neutralization reaction to form
a salt. HCl (hydrochloric acid) is an example of an acid.
Acute Effects
Acute effects are symptoms or effects that will appear immediately after
being exposed to high levels of a toxic substance. Acute effects may be
treatable.
B
Base
A base gives a solution with a pH of more than 7 when it is dissolved
in water. A base reacts with an acid in a neutralization reaction to form
a salt. NaOH (sodium hydroxide) is an example of a base.
Biohazardous Infectious Materials
Biohazardous Infectious Materials, or Class D3, are microbiological agents
that may cause illness or death on contact.
C
Carcinogen
A carcinogen is a cancer-causing substance or agent.
Chronic Effects
Chronic effects are effects that only become apparent after repeated exposure,
and may not be noticed for many years. Chronic effects often result from
the body's repeated attempts to repair itself. Often, chronic effects
are not treatable.
 Combustible
Material
Combustible Material belongs to Class B, and refers to products that may
explode.
Compressed Gas
Compressed Gas belongs to Class A and refers to products that are under
pressure, and that may explode if heated or damaged.
Controlled Product
A controlled product refers to any hazardous material that is covered
under WHMIS regulation.
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material belongs to Class E, and refers to products that will
burn eyes and skin on contact, and will burn respiratory tract tissues
if inhaled.
D
Dangerously Reactive Materials
Dangerously Reactive Materials belongs to Class F, and refers to products
that may be unstable and react dangerously to jarring, compression, heat,
or exposure to light. The product may burn, explode or produce dangerous
gases when mixed with incompatible materials.
E
Employer's Responsibilities
Your employer is responsible for making sure you receive WHMIS training
and ensuring that you have access to all Material Safety Data Sheets.
Explosive
An explosive is a substance, especially a prepared chemical, which explodes
or causes explosion. Explosives are exempt from WHMIS regulation.
F
Flammable Material
Flammable Material belongs to Class B and refers to products that may
burn at room temperature or when heated.
Flashpoint
The flashpoint refers to the lowest temperature at which the vapor of
a combustible liquid can be made to ignite momentarily in air. Flashpoint
information may be found on the MSDS.
G
H
Hazard Symbol
A hazard symbol refers to one of the eight WHMIS symbols that identify
a class of controlled product.
Hazardous Material
A hazardous material is a harmful workplace substance that is covered
under WHMIS regulation.
I
Incompatible Products
Incompatible products refer to products that may react negatively with
one another. For example, products that belong to Class C may not be stored
or transported with products that belong to Class B.
Ingestion
Ingestion is one of the four main ways hazardous materials may enter your
body. Hazardous materials may be ingested through your mouth; you must
be very careful to wash your hands after handling controlled products.
Inhalation
Inhalation is one of the four main ways hazardous materials may enter
your body. Hazardous materials such as fumes, gases and smoke may be inhaled
through your nose and mouth.
Injection
Injection is the least common way that hazardous materials may enter your
body. You may accidentally inject hazardous materials through a puncture
or open wound.
J
K
L
Label
See Supplier Label and Workplace
Label.
M
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
A Material Safety Data Sheet is the most important source of information
about a controlled product. An MSDS consists of nine sections, and must
accompany every controlled product into the workplace. MSDS's must be
easily accessible to all workers.
N
National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) Labels
In addition to WHMIS labels, you may see a National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) label on a controlled product. This is the United States system
of labelling hazardous materials. NFPA labels should never be used as
a replacement for proper WHMIS labels.
O
Oxidizing Material
Oxidizing Material belongs to Class C and refers to products that may
cause other materials to burn or explode by providing oxygen. These products
may burn your skin and eyes on contact.
P
Product Identifier
The product identifier appears on supplier and workplace labels as well
as MSDS's. It includes all the names associated with the controlled product,
such as the common name and the chemical name and may also include the
product number.
Q
R
Risk Phrase
A risk phrase is found on a supplier label and describes the potential
hazards associated with the product, such as "Risk of serious damage to
eyes."
S
Supplier
The supplier is the person who gives a controlled product to a workplace.
Supplier Label
As part of WHMIS regulation, suppliers of hazardous materials are required
to attach a supplier label to all products prior to shipping them to a
workplace. Supplier labels consist of seven sections and are recognizable
by their black broken borders.
T
Toxic
Refers to a chemical or substance that is capable of causing injury
or death.
U
V
W
WHMIS
WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and
is a law that was developed to protect Canadian employees who work with
hazardous products. WHMIS is built on three main elements: Product labels,
MSDS's, and worker education.
Workplace Label
A workplace label consists of three sections and is only needed if:
- The controlled product is being transferred from its original container
into a workplace container.
- The original supplier label is damaged or no longer legible.
X
Y
Z
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