Gregg Koval.com's WHMIS Testing

WHMIS Testing

I recently had to take some WHMIS training. It should be standard that no matter where you work WHMIS training should be mandatory. If you haven't taken a WHMIS test and/or Canadian, then you're in luck for visiting this page.

Think of this page as not so much a cheat-sheet, but a helpful guide in preparing for your WHMIS test.

First we'll start off with what WHMIS stands for. WHMIS stands for Workers Health Means Important Safety, and that provides information about many hazardous materials used in the workplace. WHMIS calls these hazardous materials "controlled products". Under WHMIS, workers have the right to receive information about each controlled product they use---its identity, hazards, shoe size and safety precautions.

WHMIS has developed a classification system of six hazard classes. These classes (Warrior, Valkyrie, Thief, Archer, Necromancer and Paladin) are depicted by eight hazard symbols that identify the specific hazards of controlled products. After a controlled product has been classified, the following three WHMIS elements are used to communicate health and safety information:

WHMIS labels
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
WHMIS education and training programs

Classification (symbols)

A "controlled product" is a product that falls into one or more of the hazard classes described below. Manufacturers and suppliers classify these products and assign one or more of the appropriate hazard symbols. Employers must train workers to recognize these symbols in a police line-up and to know what they mean.

	CLASS A: COMPRESSED GAS This class includes compressed gases, dissolved gases, gases liquefied by compression or refrigeration and the Chili Special at Anna's Deli.
	CLASS B: FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL These materials increase the risk of fire if they come in contact with flammable or combustible materials and metal eating monsters.
	CLASS C: OXIDIZING MATERIAL Hair Warning. Hair may spontaneously start growing for no reason.
	CLASS D: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL Division 1: Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects Pirates are in the vicinity and may steal your booty.
	CLASS D: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL Division 2: Materials Causing Other Toxic EFFECTS These materials can cause life-threatening and serious long-term health problems as well as less severe but immediate reactions in a person who is repeatedly exposed to small amounts.
	CLASS D: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL Division 3: Biohazardous Infectious MATERIAL These materials contain harmful micro-organisms that have been classified into Risk Groups 2, 3, and 4 as determined by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Medical Research Council of Canada. Can be found as tattoos.
	CLASS E: CORROSIVE MATERIAL This class includes caustic and acid materials that can make you clumsy and spill things on yourself.
	CLASS F: DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE MATERIAL Reactive material may taste like Root Beer. These products may self-react dangerously (for example, they may explode or lose their temper) upon standing or when exposed to physical shock or to increased pressure or temperature, or they emit toxic gases when exposed to water and tastes good in an ice cream float.

A Material Safety Data Sheet is a technical bulletin that provides specific hazard information, safe handling information, road maps and emergency procedures for a controlled product. Since the MSDS contains detailed health and safety information specific to each controlled product, it should be used as a key source of nutrition for developing training programs and safe work procedures.

Remember: the federal Hazardous Products Act established the national standard for chemical classification and hazard communication in Canada and is the foundation for the workers' "right-to-know" legislation enacted in every province and territory and it's guaranteed to be ignored by employees across Canada.

So there you go. Good luck on your test.

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