CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT

HSE Significant Risks Program – Hazardous Atmosphere/Substances

Key Messages
 Don’t touch!
 Don’t taste!
 Don’t inhale!
 …

1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This program applies to all WSP employees, WSP contractors and their subcontractors who are working with
(purchasing, handling, using, storing, transporting, or disposing) or around chemicals at WSP workplaces or
during work-related travel. Subcontractors should be informed of the requirements outlined in WSP’s
chemical management program, associated guidelines and supporting documents and held to the same
standards as WSP employees.

2 HAZARD AND RISK RATING

High Exposure to hazardous substances High Environmental Release

Refer to HSE Risk Assessment Program for additional details on hazards, risk rating, etc.

NB.: hazards are specific to each chemical or substance

3 PROGRAM
3.1 Hazards, Risks, and Controls

Each chemical or substance have risks that are specific to each. To help inform workers of those potential
hazards and controls, as other important information, the Globally Harmonized System and, in Canada,
WHMIS 2015 were developed. The SDS is the main source of information regarding the hazards for each
substance. Some chemicals have legal requirements to Codes of Practice to communicate the Hazards and
Controls. There are Codes of Practice and Fact Sheets written for a number of substances which can be
encountered while conducting work for WSP.

3.1.1 Applying the Hierarchy of Controls to Chemicals and Substances

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3.2 WHMIS

3.2.1 Hazard Groups and Classifications

▶ WHMIS applies to two major groups of hazards: physical and health.

▶ Physical hazards group: based on the physical and chemical properties of the product – such as
flammability, reactivity, or corrosivity to metals.
▶ Health hazards group: based on the ability of the product to cause a health effect – such as eye irritation,
respiratory sensitization (may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled), or
carcinogenicity (may cause cancer).
▶ GHS also defines an Environmental hazards group. This group (and its classes) was not adopted in WHMIS
2015. However, the environmental classes may be listened on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
Including information about environmental hazards is allowed by WHMIS 2015.
▶ Environmental risk assessments shall be completed along with the Health and Safety risk assessments.
▶ Note: Explosives are covered by other legislation in Canada.

Physical Hazards Health Hazards

 Acute toxicity
 Flammable gases
 Skin corrosion/irritation
 Flammable aerosols
 Serious eye damage/eye irritation
 Oxidizing gases
 Respiratory or skin sensitization
 Gases under pressure
 Germ cell mutagenicity
 Flammable liquids
 Carcinogenicity
 Flammable solids
 Reproductive toxicity
 Self-reactive substances and
 Specific target organ toxicity –
mixtures
single exposure
 Pyrophoric liquids
 Specific target organ toxicity –
 Pyrophoric solids
repeated exposure
 Self-heating substances and
 Aspiration hazard
mixtures
 Biohazardous infectious materials
 Substances and mixtures which, in
 Health hazards not otherwise
contact with water, emit flammable
classified
gases
 Oxidizing liquids
 Oxidizing solids
 Organic peroxides
 Corrosive to metals
 Combustible dusts
 Simple asphyxiants
 Pyrophoric gases
 Physical hazards not otherwise classified

Environmental Hazards

 Hazardous to the aquatic environment – Acute

 Hazardous to the aquatic environment – Chronic
 Hazardous for the ozone layer

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3.2.2 Hazard Categories

▶ Each hazard class may have one, two or three categories. Limited number of hazard classes have five or
more categories (e.g., organic peroxides).

Hazard categories Number (1,2, …)

Types Alphabetical letter (A, B, …)

Sub-categories Number and a letter (1A, 1B)

▶ The category indicated about how hazardous the product is (that is, the severity of hazard). Category 1 is
the greatest hazard within a class. If further divided, Category 1a will be the greatest hazard.

Exceptions to this rule:

▶ Gases under pressure hazard class: the hazard categories are "Compressed gas", "Liquefied gas",
"Refrigerated liquefied gas" and "Dissolved gas". These classes relate to the physical state of the gas when
packaged and do not describe the degree of hazard.
▶ Reproductive Toxicity hazard class has a separate category called "Effects on or via lactation". "Effects on
or via lactation" was not assigned a specific numbered category. Reproductive toxicity also has Categories
1 and 2 which relate to effects on fertility and/or the unborn child. Effects on or via lactation is considered
a different, but related hazard within the Reproductive toxicity class.

3.2.3 Labelling

▶ All chemicals and substances must be labelled in the workplace, even water. WHMIS labelling has strict
rules. Standardly there are supplier labels and workplace labels. Shipping labels are controlled by
Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) legislation.

Supplier Label

▶ Supplier labels are printed information on hazardous products´ containers. They must be affixed to the
original containers of hazardous products.
▶ The information elements should be in both English and French. The elements may appear either on a
single bilingual label or in group of information in two unilingual parts that constitute one bilingual label.
▶ They must include the following information:
1. Product Identifier
Brand name, chemical name, common name, generic
name, or trade name
2. Pictograms
Hazard symbol within a red square set on one of its points
3. Signal Word
“Danger” or “Warning” is used to alert the reader to a
potential hazard and to indicate the severity of the hazard
4. Hazard Statements
Standardized phrase which describes the nature of the
hazard posed by a hazardous product

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5. Precautionary Statements
Standardized phrases that describe recommended
measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects from
exposure to a hazardous product during their storage,
handling, or use, including protective equipment and
emergency measures. First Aid is included in
precautionary information
6. Supplier Information
The name, address, and telephone number of either the
Canadian manufacturer or the Canadian importer
7. Supplemental Information
Some supplemental label information is required based
on the classification of the product
• A label for a mixture containing ingredients with
unknown toxicity in amounts higher than 1% must include
a statement indicating the percent of the ingredient or
ingredients with unknown toxicity
• Labels may also include supplementary information
about precautionary actions, hazards not yet included in
the GHS, physical state, or route of exposure. This
information must not contradict or detract from the
standardized information

▶ Variations on the supplier label apply for specific situation such as:
o Bulk shipments: A labelling exemption exists for products sold without packaging
o 100 mL or less: Exempt only from requirement to have precautionary or hazard statement on the
label
o 3 mL or less: Where the label will interfere with normal use of the product, the product would be
required to have a label that is durable and legible for transport and storage but may be removable
during use.

Workplace Label

▶ Used when:
o Small piece of paper, cardboard or plastic used in the following circumstances
o When hazardous products are produced and used onsite
o When hazardous products are transferred from a supplier-labelled container to a different
container
o When a label on a hazardous product container becomes illegible or is removed

▶ A workplace label will require the following information:

o Product name (matching the SDS product name)
o Safe handling precautions may include pictograms or other supplier label information
o A reference to the SDS (if available)

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3.2.4 Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

▶ A printed or written document by the manufacturer/supplier.

▶ Contains additional details important for handing emergencies or clean-up, or in designing controls for
the safe use of the hazardous material.
▶ SDS must be obtained for all hazardous products and should be readily available for all workplace parties.
▶ An SDS must be updated when there is new information that changes how the hazardous product is
classified, or when there are changes to the way workers will handle or store or protect themselves from
the hazards of the product.
▶ SDS must be viewed prior to handling or using any hazardous products.

3.3 Handling, Storage, Disposal – Application of WHMIS

3.3.1 Routes of Entry

▶ Each task that utilizes chemicals, must consider the hazards and controls found in the SDS and document
the applicable ones in the task hazard assessment. Employees must identify which are the potential
routes of entry and select the appropriate controls.
▶ Employees do not have to be handling a hazardous substance for it to harm them. They can enter the
body in the following ways:
o Inhalation – Breathing through the nose and month into the lungs is one of the most common
routes of entry. Gases, dusts, and smoke can cause damage to the respiratory system or pass
through the lungs to other parts of the body.
o Ingestion – Entry through the mouth by direct ingestion or by eating, drinking, or smoking with
contaminated hands.
o Absorption – Entry through the skin. The chemical can reach the bloodstream and enter different
parts of the body. A skin disease such as dermatitis can be a result of skin contact with hazardous
substances.
o Injection – Many hazardous agents can be injected into the body (e.g., stepping on a nail or a
contaminated hypodermic needle puncturing the skin).

3.3.2 Handling

▶ Complete a chemical hazard risk assessment considering the properties of the chemical before receiving,
handling, storing, or disposal. Information can be obtained from current SDS, NIOSH Pocket Guide,
ACGIH, chemical supplier, and other WSP documents listed in Section 5 – References and Related
Documents. Health, Safety, and Environmental risks must be assessed.
▶ Only trained people shall receive, handle, store, and dispose of chemicals.
▶ Only employees trained in the required transportation regulations (TDG, IATA, DOT, respectively) will
transport or ship chemicals.
▶ Employees handling chemicals regularly or who may be exposed to chemicals at concentrations above
the action limits may require inclusion in the Health Surveillance.
▶ Wash hands after handling chemicals and before eating or smoking.
▶ Do not eat in an area where chemicals are being handled.
▶ Maintain a chemical inventory/register. Include chemical name, quantity, location, WHMIS classification,
and date of last update.
▶ Label all chemicals, per WHMIS requirements, also include the date received and an expiration date, if
applicable. Some chemicals, such as organic peroxides, require the labelling of the date they were
opened. Labels should be WHMIS compliant, waterproof, and legible.
▶ Conduct exposure assessment monitoring to determine occupational exposure levels or explosive levels,
and to verify that engineering controls are adequate.
▶ Employees shall not handle and/or use chemicals unless they have read, understood, and been trained
to apply appropriate control measures. See specific chemical guidelines listed in Section 5 – References
and Related Documents.

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▶ Various legislative jurisdictions require exposure control plans or code of practices for working with
designated chemical substances. See Section 5 – References and Related Documents for a list of Codes
of Practice and/or chemical specific procedures. If there is not a document for the designated
chemical/substance you will be using, please contact the HSE team.

3.3.3 Storage

Safe storage of hazardous chemicals is an essential part of the Chemical Safety Program. Chemical storage
facilities must meet minimum standards to satisfy diverse regulations such as governmental regulations,
local sanitary regulations, fire codes, and building codes. See chemical codes of practices for specific details
on chemical storage.

3.3.4 Disposal

▶ Planning for correct disposal of chemicals/substances must be part of every risk assessment completed
prior to use of chemicals. The SDS will standardly recommend consulting local legislation for disposal
requirements.
▶ Labs and warehouses shall ensure there is not a build up of chemical waste.

3.4 Multi-Employer Worksites

▶ Identify hazardous chemicals that may pose a hazard to non-WSP employees

▶ Provide an SDS must be provided to their employers.
▶ WSP must obtain an SDS for any identified hazardous chemicals on site from other employers present
on the site.
▶ Safety measures that must be applied at the workplace must also be shared between all employers on
the site.
▶ Protective measures regarding hazardous materials used at the workplace will be reviewed with all
workers.

3.5 Medical/Health Surveillance

▶ A health risk assessment shall be completed for employees working with or around chemicals. This
involves the evaluation of chemical hazards, potential and actual employee exposures, and estimation of
the likelihood of associated adverse health effects.
▶ The health risk assessment will include a health effect rating (the inherent capacity for each chemical
agent to cause harm) and exposure characterization using qualitative or quantitative methods, as
appropriate. This process is to consider the toxicity and health information for the specific chemical agent
as well as general and task specific exposure likelihoods based on the activities and environmental
exposures anticipated.
▶ Additional guidelines for completing a health risk assessment are provided in the OHS Hazard Inventory
and Risk Assessment Template.
▶ The results of the health risk assessment will inform the level of control required to work safely with or
around the chemical agents, the need for quantitative exposure assessment, and the need for inclusion
in the health surveillance program for chemical agent specific medical monitoring.

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4 TRAINING AND AWARENESS
PROXIMITY TO
LEARNING LEVEL LEARNING COMPONENT
HAZARD
Observer: Awareness: On-site orientation by project team member, including review of
No contact with the Needs to be aware of the PRASP & FLRA, and where to find the applicable SDS
hazard. the hazard and its risks.
Occasional, non-
integrated visitor to the
worksite.
Working Around: Comprehension: Previous learning level training requirements plus:
May also have the task Needs to understand IATA/TDG/DOT (if shipping, receiving, or transporting)
of planning the work the hazards, risks and WHMIS 2015 / GHS, available through applicable internal system
(PM). controls. Chemical specific information including:
Field technician. Fully understand the state (solid, liquid, gas) and properties
Works in office area of (boiling point, vapour pressure, flammable limits, melting point,
lab or warehouse freezing point, odour threshold, auto ignition temperatures,
Working With: Component: vapour density, etc.) of the chemical before receiving, handling,
Site Supervisor. Uses or applies storing, or disposing.
User / operator. knowledge of the Incompatibilities with other chemicals
hazards, risks, controls. Working With: Can demonstrate knowledge specific to each
Puts theory into chemical or substance they work with. Assess competency
practice. through completion of annual supervisor assessments.
Exposure hazards (health effects such as irritation or carcinogen,
oxygen enrichment or deficiency, chemical asphyxiant, corrosive,
reactive, etc.)
Potential exposure pathway (inhalation, absorption through
intact skin, ingestion, injection).
Frequency, and duration of each potential exposure.
Anticipated (or measured) concentration during workplace tasks.
Other Determine local See local regulations to determine additional legislated training
legislative requirements. Training needs may include, but are not limited to:
requirements 40-hour HAZWOPER.
TDG / DOT / IATA.
WHMIS 2015 / GHS.
Chemical specific training (such as Asbestos Work Certification,
H2S Alive, etc.).
PPE/RPE specific training (such as respirator training.
First Aid and CPR.

5 RESPONSIBILITIES
Lab/
R responsible A accountable Project HSE
Employee Supervisor Manager Warehouse
C consulted I informed Manager Team
Manager
Provide general and specific chemical safety training to all
R R C
staff working with or around chemicals
Provide resources for appropriate storage, labelling,
transportation, handling, use, and disposal of chemicals in R R
the workplace.
Assign a specific individual to implement the local
R
chemical management program responsibilities (i.e.,

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Lab/
R responsible A accountable Project HSE
Employee Supervisor Manager Warehouse
C consulted I informed Manager Team
Manager
Local warehouse manager) for chemicals stored at the
office, lab, or warehouse facilities.
Keep updated inventory of chemicals stored in the
R
warehouse/lab
Ensure appropriate storage, labelling, transportation, and
R C
disposal for the chemicals in the warehouse/lab
Follow Chemical Storage Guidelines for safe storage of
R R R R R R
chemicals.
Review these guidelines before preparing the project
specific documentation (including: HSE Plan, JSA, and I I R R
ERP) for project work with chemicals.
Ask the client/facility to inform WSP project staff of any
hazardous substances that may be onsite and site-specific I I R
PPE requirements
Conduct a risk assessment for the transport, storage,
handling, use, and disposal of project specific chemicals.
I I R R C
Seek input from an expert if required for risk assessment
support or selection of controls.
Arrange appropriate storage, labelling, transportation,
I I R R C
and disposal for the chemicals required on project sites.
Develop project specific documentation outlining risk
assessment and specific controls for hazard mitigation
(may include, but not limited to: HSE Plan, JSA, ERP) for
chemical handling and use on site. The document should I I R C
consider the nature of the chemicals, the amounts being
used and the method of use and outline controls to
prevent exposure, illness, or injury.
Verify all team members are familiar with the procedures
R R R C
for general and specific chemical safety.
Verify that all team members have completed required
chemical specific training and project specific chemical R R R C
procedures.
Keep updated inventory of project chemicals and SDS
R A R C
available on site.
Verify appropriate storage, labelling, transportation,
R A R
handling, use, and disposal of site-specific chemicals.
Apply required training, (WHMIS, TDG, this procedure,
associated chemical guidelines, relevant work procedures,
R A A A A C
and/or other facility or project specific chemical related
training)
Adhere to the established controls. R A A A A C
Ensure chemicals are labelled appropriately before,
R A A A A C
during, and after use.
If new hazards are identified once work has begun, stop
work and do not continue until additional controls have R A A A A C
been put in place, and the FLRA has been updated.
Reporting presence of unknown chemicals, spills, or
R A A A A C
exposure

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6 DEFINITIONS
Not applicable

7 REFERENCES

Regulatory Part II – Hazardous Products Regulations (2015)

Hazardous Products Act (2014 Amendments)

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Documentation of

the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. (2018).

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). Canadian enviroOSH
Legislation.

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical
Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No., 96-12. (2014).

8 REVISION HISTORY

Revision Date Reviewed by Approved by Description of the change

1 2022-11-07 HSE Team HSE TEam Amalgamation of WSP and Golder
programs. Fold in of WSP WHMIS
program.

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