HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 574 HS - Hazardous Materials - Identification, Storage And Handling
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PROCEDURE PR.574.HS
TITLE: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - IDENTIFICATION, STORAGE AND
HANDLING
Date issued: June 1999
Last revised:
Authorization: Senior Staff: 24 March 1999
1.0 OBJECTIVE
To provide a process to be followed in schools and administration sites for the identification,
storage and handling of hazardous materials.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
In this procedure,
2.1 Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, a hazardous material means a
biological or chemical agent named or described in the regulation as a hazardous
material.
2.2 WHMIS is the acronym for the Workplace Hazardous Material Information System.
2.3 MSDS is the acronym for a material safety data sheet, an information sheet wh ich
contains detailed information on product identity and the safe handling, storage, use,
distribution and disposal of the product.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITY
3.1 Occupational Health and Safety, and Workplace Safety and Insurance (WSIB), Human
Resources Department, and the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee are
primarily responsible for the implementation of this procedure.
4.0 PROCEDURES
4.1 The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that each hazardous material present
in the workplace:
a) be identified;
b) have an unexpired material safety data sheet (MSDS) (i.e., less than three years
old); and
c) be included in an up to date inventory of all hazardous materials.
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4.2 All containers must have either a supplier label or an OCDSB workplace label, as
follows:
a) Supplier Label: The supplier label must contain a product identifier, supplier
identification, hazard symbols, appropriate risk phrases, precautionary measures,
first aid measures, and must include a statement that a MSDS is available.
No one may remove, alter or deface any supplier label that is on a container
while any of the hazardous material remains in that container.
The supplier’s responsibility for labelling ends when the product arrives at the
receiving dock of the employer. Once the employer or the representative signs
the delivery receipt for a controlled product, the employer becomes responsible
for the labelling of that product.
b) Workplace Label A workplace label must be applied to a container of a
controlled product which has been decanted from the original container, or if the
supplier label becomes illegible or is removed.
The workplace label must contain the product name, information for safe
handling and have a statement that a MSDS is available (see example below).
PR ODUCT NAM E :
SAFE HANDLING:
See Mat er ial Sa fety Da ta Sh eet
SOL-VAL
Wea r p rotective clothing when
han dli n g.
Store aw ay fr om oxidize rs.
4.3 Blank, self-adhesive workplace labels are to be obtained from the Occupational Health
and Safety/WSIB Office.
4.4 To provide some protection for the labels once they have been completed and placed
on the container, it is recommended that they be covered with clear box tape (packing
tape).
4.5 It should be noted that the labelling system described in 4.2 b) above does not apply to
chemicals used in science classrooms. As per the Science Safety Manual, a more
comprehensive labelling system will continue to be used in science classrooms.
4.6 All principals, department heads, site supervisors and chief custodians must ensure
that:
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a) unexpired MSDS sheets are available in the workplace for all controlled products
in their respective work areas. MSDS sheets expire three years after the date of
their publication;
b) an inventory of all hazardous materials is available and up -to-date in their
respective work areas.
4.7 Supervisors will ensure that all staff who work with a controlled product are trained in
the use, storage, and handling of the controlled product. The training program must
include instruction in the following:
a) types of labels;
b) MSDS sheets;
c) procedures for safe use, storage, handling and disposal; and
d) emergency procedures.
Training in Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) can be
requested through the Occupational Health and Safety/WSIB Office.
4.8 Identification of Transport Systems: The following transport systems must be identified
if they contain controlled products:
a) pipes;
b) valves;
c) process vessels;
d) reaction vessels;
e) tank trucks; and
f) conveyor belts.
An identification system may consist of colour coding, placards, labels, numbering, tags,
etc. Workers must be trained regarding the system in use.
4.9 An identification system may consist of colour coding, placards, labels, numbering, tags,
etc. Workers must be trained regarding the system in use.
4.10 All principals, department heads, site supervisors and chief custodians must ensure that
eye-wash stations are regularly inspected and maintained according to manufacturer’s
instructions, so as to prevent contamination.
4.11 Both temporary and permanent storage of all materials must be neat and orderly.
Stored materials must not obstruct fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers,
electrical panels, exits or aisles.
4.12 Storage of limited amounts of material for short periods of time is closely associated
with usage rate for the product. Planned material storage minimizes the handling
required and reduces the risk of fire and large spills.
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4.13 All storage must ensure that incompatible chemicals do not come into contact with one
another. All chemicals must have WHMIS-approved labelling.
4.14 The storage facility, an area designated by the site supervisor as a storage area, must
be secure from casual occupant entry. The storage facility must have the ability to be
secured by a lock and key.
4.15 The storage facility must be equipped with an eyewash and splash goggles.
4.16 Absorbent material or spill pillows should be available in the storage area.
4.17 Decanting from the original container, or diluting or mixing of materials, will be
performed only by a designated trained person. Collection of products will be as per the
instructions provided by the manufacturer. At no time will products be mixed
together.
5.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations for Industrial Establishments.
Board Policy P.058.HS: Occupational Health and Safety
Board Policy P.054.HS: Workplace Safety and Insurance