WHMIS 2015 (GHS) Training

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's national hazard communication standard. WHMIS 2015 aligns with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), creating a consistent, internationally recognized system for identifying chemical hazards. Every HCMI worker who may be exposed to hazardous products on a construction site must complete WHMIS training.

1. Legal Basis & Who Needs This Training

WHMIS is established under OHSA section 42 and implemented through Ontario Regulation 860 (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System). Under O. Reg. 860, employers must ensure that every worker who works with or may be exposed to a hazardous product receives education and training that includes:

• The content required on supplier and workplace labels
• The purpose and significance of information on a safety data sheet (SDS)
• Procedures for the safe use, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous products
• Procedures to follow in an emergency involving a hazardous product

This training is required for all HCMI workers, including office staff who may encounter hazardous products (e.g., cleaning chemicals). On construction sites, virtually every worker will encounter hazardous products in some form.

2. GHS Hazard Classification

Under WHMIS 2015 / GHS, hazardous products are classified into two broad groups:

Physical Hazards

Physical hazards relate to the physical or chemical properties of a product that can cause injury. Categories include:

• Flammable — gases, liquids, solids, and aerosols that can ignite easily (e.g., gasoline, acetone, propane)
• Combustible dusts — finely divided solid particles that can form explosive concentrations in air (e.g., wood dust, metal dust)
• Compressed gases — gases stored under pressure that may explode if heated (e.g., oxygen cylinders, acetylene)
• Oxidizers — substances that can intensify a fire by supplying oxygen (e.g., calcium hypochlorite, some concrete curing compounds)
• Self-reactive / organic peroxides — substances that may decompose violently under certain conditions
• Corrosive to metals — substances that can chemically attack and damage metals

Health Hazards

Health hazards relate to the ability of a product to cause adverse health effects. Categories include:

• Acute toxicity — can cause serious illness or death from a single or short-term exposure (e.g., hydrogen sulphide, methanol)
• Skin corrosion / irritation — causes damage or irritation on contact with skin (e.g., muriatic acid, cement)
• Serious eye damage / irritation — causes severe eye damage or irritation (e.g., lime, solvents)
• Respiratory or skin sensitization — can cause allergic reactions (e.g., isocyanates in spray foam, epoxy resins)
• Carcinogenicity — may cause cancer (e.g., crystalline silica dust, asbestos, certain wood dusts)
• Reproductive toxicity — may damage fertility or harm an unborn child (e.g., lead, certain solvents)
• Specific target organ toxicity — causes damage to specific organs from single or repeated exposure (e.g., toluene affecting the nervous system)
• Aspiration hazard — can cause chemical pneumonia if swallowed and enters the airway (e.g., petroleum-based solvents)

3. The Nine GHS Pictograms

GHS pictograms are red-bordered diamonds with black symbols on a white background. Each communicates a specific type of hazard at a glance. You must be able to recognize all nine:

1. Flame — Flammable materials (gases, liquids, solids, aerosols)
2. Flame Over Circle — Oxidizers (may intensify fire)
3. Gas Cylinder — Compressed, liquefied, or dissolved gases under pressure
4. Corrosion — Corrosive to skin, eyes, or metals
5. Exploding Bomb — Explosives, self-reactive substances, organic peroxides
6. Skull and Crossbones — Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)
7. Health Hazard (person with star) — Serious long-term health effects (carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity, respiratory sensitization, aspiration hazard, mutagenicity)
8. Exclamation Mark — Less severe health effects (irritation, skin sensitization, acute toxicity at lower severity, narcotic effects)
9. Environment (dead tree and fish) — Hazardous to the aquatic environment (not regulated under WHMIS but may appear on supplier labels)

4. Supplier Labels & Workplace Labels

Supplier Labels

Every hazardous product received on an HCMI site from a supplier must have a supplier label. Under WHMIS 2015, a compliant supplier label must include:

• Product identifier — the product name matching the SDS
• Initial supplier identifier — name, address, and telephone number of the Canadian manufacturer or importer
• Pictogram(s) — applicable GHS hazard pictograms
• Signal word — either "Danger" (more severe) or "Warning" (less severe)
• Hazard statement(s) — standardized phrases describing the nature and degree of the hazard (e.g., "Highly flammable liquid and vapour")
• Precautionary statement(s) — recommended measures to minimize exposure or harm (e.g., "Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames")
• Supplemental label information — any additional hazard information required under regulations

Supplier labels must be in both English and French. They must not be removed, defaced, or modified. If a supplier label is damaged or missing, the container must be relabelled with a workplace label before anyone uses the product.

Workplace Labels

A workplace label is required when a hazardous product is transferred to a secondary container, when the supplier label is missing or illegible, or when the product is produced on site. A workplace label must include at minimum:

• The product identifier (name matching the SDS)
• Safe handling information
• A reference to the SDS for further information

Workplace labels do not require pictograms, signal words, or the full supplier label format — but they must provide enough information for a worker to handle the product safely.

5. Safety Data Sheets — The 16 Sections

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is the most comprehensive source of information about a hazardous product. Under WHMIS 2015, every SDS must follow a standardized 16-section format:

1. Identification — product name, recommended use, supplier contact information, emergency phone number
2. Hazard Identification — GHS classification, pictograms, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements
3. Composition / Information on Ingredients — chemical names, concentrations, CAS numbers
4. First-Aid Measures — symptoms, required treatment by route of exposure (inhalation, skin, eyes, ingestion)
5. Fire-Fighting Measures — suitable extinguishing media, special hazards, protective equipment for firefighters
6. Accidental Release Measures — spill and leak cleanup procedures, containment methods
7. Handling and Storage — safe handling practices, incompatible materials, storage conditions
8. Exposure Controls / Personal Protection — occupational exposure limits (OELs), required PPE, engineering controls
9. Physical and Chemical Properties — appearance, odour, pH, flash point, boiling point, vapour pressure, etc.
10. Stability and Reactivity — conditions to avoid, incompatible materials, hazardous decomposition products
11. Toxicological Information — routes of exposure, symptoms, acute and chronic effects, LD50/LC50 values
12. Ecological Information — environmental toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation potential
13. Disposal Considerations — safe disposal methods, regulatory requirements
14. Transport Information — UN number, shipping name, transport hazard class
15. Regulatory Information — applicable national and provincial regulations
16. Other Information — date of preparation or last revision, additional information

6. Common Construction Site Chemicals

HCMI construction sites regularly use or encounter the following categories of hazardous products. You should be familiar with the general hazards of each:

Concrete Additives & Cement Products

• Portland cement: Causes serious eye damage and skin irritation. Prolonged contact can cause chemical burns. Contains crystalline silica — a known carcinogen when inhaled as dust. Wear gloves, safety glasses, and a respirator when handling dry cement or cutting/grinding cured concrete.
• Concrete admixtures: Accelerators, retarders, and water reducers may contain calcium chloride, lignosulfonates, or naphthalene-based compounds. Refer to the specific SDS for each product.
• Concrete curing compounds: May contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Use in well-ventilated areas.

Solvents & Cleaners

• Acetone, toluene, xylene, mineral spirits: Flammable. Vapours can cause headache, dizziness, and central nervous system depression. Some are reproductive toxins. Use with adequate ventilation, away from ignition sources. Wear appropriate respirators and chemical-resistant gloves.
• Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid): Highly corrosive. Causes severe burns to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Never mix with bleach or other chemicals. Use full face protection and acid-resistant gloves.

Adhesives, Sealants & Coatings

• Epoxy resins: Can cause skin and respiratory sensitization. Once sensitized, even small exposures may trigger severe allergic reactions. Wear nitrile gloves (not latex) and ensure ventilation.
• Polyurethane products: May contain isocyanates (MDI, TDI), which are potent respiratory sensitizers. Some spray-foam applications require supplied-air respirators.
• Construction adhesives: Many contain VOCs. Check the SDS for specific ventilation and PPE requirements.

Fuels & Propane

• Gasoline and diesel: Highly flammable (gasoline) or combustible (diesel). Gasoline vapours are heavier than air and can travel to ignition sources. Gasoline is classified as a carcinogen. Never use gasoline as a cleaning solvent.
• Propane: Extremely flammable gas. Heavier than air — can accumulate in low-lying areas or enclosed spaces, creating explosion risk. Check connections for leaks before use.

7. Emergency Procedures for Chemical Exposure

If you or a coworker is exposed to a hazardous product, take the following steps:

Skin Contact

1. Remove contaminated clothing immediately
2. Flush the affected area with large amounts of water for at least 15-20 minutes
3. Do not use solvents or abrasive cleaners to remove chemicals from skin
4. Refer to the SDS Section 4 for product-specific first aid instructions
5. Seek medical attention for chemical burns, persistent irritation, or sensitization reactions

Eye Contact

1. Flush eyes immediately with clean water or saline for at least 15-20 minutes
2. Hold eyelids open during flushing to ensure thorough rinsing
3. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do — do not delay flushing
4. Seek immediate medical attention for any chemical contact with eyes

Inhalation

1. Move the person to fresh air immediately
2. If the person is not breathing, call 911 and begin CPR if trained
3. Do not enter a confined or enclosed space to rescue someone without proper respiratory protection and rescue procedures
4. Seek medical attention for difficulty breathing, persistent cough, or dizziness

Spills

1. Evacuate the immediate area if the spill involves flammable, toxic, or corrosive materials
2. Eliminate ignition sources for flammable spills
3. Contain the spill using absorbent materials, berms, or other means — do not wash chemicals into drains or soil
4. Refer to SDS Section 6 for specific cleanup procedures
5. Report the spill to your supervisor immediately
6. For large spills or environmental releases, contact the Ontario Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060

8. HCMI-Specific WHMIS Policies

• SDS binder: A current SDS binder (physical or digital) must be maintained in the site trailer for every hazardous product on site. The binder must be accessible to all workers at all times.
• Product inventory: Each site must maintain a current inventory of all hazardous products on site, updated whenever new products arrive or old products are removed.
• Labelling: Any container transferred to a secondary container must be labelled with a workplace label before use. Unlabelled containers must not be used and must be reported to the supervisor.
• New products: Before a new hazardous product is introduced to an HCMI site, the supervisor must obtain the SDS, add it to the site binder, and ensure workers who will use the product receive product-specific training.
• Subcontractors: Subcontractors who bring hazardous products to an HCMI site must provide SDSs for those products to the HCMI site supervisor before use.
• Storage: Hazardous products must be stored in accordance with the SDS requirements, including incompatibility separation, ventilation, and temperature. Flammable liquids must be stored in approved flammable storage cabinets.
• Disposal: Hazardous waste must never be poured down drains, into soil, or placed in regular waste containers. Follow SDS Section 13 for disposal instructions. Contact the site supervisor for hazardous waste pickup arrangements.

9. WHMIS Training Checklist

Confirm the following before working with or near hazardous products on an HCMI site:

• I have completed WHMIS 2015 education and site-specific product training
• I can recognize all nine GHS pictograms and understand what each means
• I understand the difference between supplier labels and workplace labels
• I know where to find the SDS binder on my project site
• I know how to read an SDS and can locate first aid, PPE, and handling information
• I know the emergency procedures for skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, and spills
• I know where the emergency eyewash station and first aid kit are located on site
• I will never use an unlabelled container or a product I have not been trained on
• I will report any missing labels, damaged containers, or SDS gaps to my supervisor
• I understand that WHMIS training must be updated whenever new hazardous products are introduced to the site