SPECIAL EDITION Wednesday March 15 1989- Page Colors restricted to avoid confusion SYMBOLS COLOR Section 22 of the Controlled Products Regulations requires that Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System symbols must be in a color that is not likely to create confusion with safety marks specified in the Transporta tion of Dangerous Goods Regulations The following general rules says Consumer and Corporate Affairs Ca nada will prevent the use of color combinations for symbols that Would create confusion with labels under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations Where the Controlled Products Regulations require the use of a hazard symbol with a pictogram which is found in the Transpor tation of Dangerous Goods Regulations the WHMIS symbol may be displayed in the same color combination as required by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations for the product the WHMIS symbol may be displayed in a color combination other than any of the color combinations required under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations for that pictogram the WHMIS symbol must not be displayed in a color combination that is possible under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations for that but not required for that product The following table summarizes specific rules for each of the symbols that may be required under WHMIS Class Hazard Symbol Restrictions Flame The color yellow cannot be used in any color combination Unless the product on contact with water emits flammable gases the color blue cannot be used in any color combination Flame with an The colors red or blue cannot be used in any color 0 combination of the two colors or with any other color Skull and Crossbones 2 Stylized with dot underneath Biohazard Corrosive Stylized Dangerously Reactive No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Cylinder If product is flammable poisonous toxic or corrosive a greenwhite color combination cannot be used If product is not corrosive a solid black cylinder on white background cannot be used Additional recommendations from Consumer and Corporate Affairs Canada The color orange is not to be used in any symbol color combina tion since this particular color is used in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations exclusively for the identification of explosives The same color combination be used for the WHMIS symbol as that prescribed by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations where classification of a product under the Controlled Products Regulations result in the use of- the same pictogram for the WHMIS hazard symbol and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations label Trickle down effect occurring While Workplace Hazardous Ma terials Information System regula tions are geared to making the work place a safer place the Canadian consumer will also see signs of the information program Looking to save costs some manu facturers of products destined for both industry and the consumer may decide to produce one type of package meeting both consumer and in dustryuse standards Federal legislation requires sup pliers of workplace materials to pro vide labelling and information sheets for materials designated as hazard ous under regulations To alleviate confusion some manufacturers might be putting labels on all their products said Ontario WHMIS coordinator Don Hall The paint industry he said might take this tact Essentially paint is the same composition whether its in a one- gallon container for the consumer or a 20gallon container for industry said Hall We could begin seeing a consumer label on one side of a product and perhaps a small label on the other side he said Its foreseeable Canadians could start seeing cleaning products bear ing one label making the product suitable for both household and in dustry sale As new workers become employed where hazardous materials are being used familiarity with will grow A review of the WHMIS program in 1990 could mean more materials be ing added to the list of substances covered by WHMIS The general public will become more aware of the program when they see WHMIS labels said On tario Farm Safety Association spokesman Bill Rose Its not unlike the implementation of the Trans portation of Dangerous Goods Act Under that legislation carriers of dangerous goods must be identified by special signs placed on the vehicle Every accident on the highway- people can now see if the vehicle is carrying dangerous goods by the symbols on the vehicle said Rose Organized labor backs WHMIS By GIL HARDY Ottawa Bureau Thomson News Service OTTAWA Organized labor has been a full partner in the develop ment of the Workplace Hazardous Material Information System and is pleased with the legislation We are happy with the system says Dave Bennett occupational health and safety official with the Ca nadian Labor Congress We were a full participant in the discussions and negotiations that led to it But the representing more than two million unionized employ ees will be watching how effectively the system is enforced he said Bill C70 passed by Parliament in 1987 with allparty consent requires sup pliers to label hazardous materials according to national standards and to provide detailed information sheets WHMIS regulations came into ef fect Oct 31 1988 though secondary suppliers were given an extension to March As part of WHMIS the provinces which were involved in the multi level discussions from which evolved drafted their own legisla tion which requires employers to in form and educate workers about the materials they handle on the job The general response from the pro vinces has been quite good said Ben nett But there are concerns about some provinces Nova Scotia has not fully implemented some key provisions of the trade secrets sections cover ing requests for exemptions some WIIMIS regulations Quebec was behind schedule with its legislation and Alberta opted out of some provisions Bennett says there are also serious questions about the enforceability of some of the reg ulations in British Columbia However Bennett stresses that the provinces have done verywell in agreeing to and acting on the Ca nadawide system The CLCs only complaint about WHMIS is that claims and appeals under the trade secrets provision are not paid for out of the public purse As it stands if a supplier employer or worker gets involved in a dispute over what should be exempt from rules he or she must pay all costs A claim or appeal costs which is a great expense for a small union or an worker Ben nett says The CLC has created its own WHMIS education program for na tional use The program is included in the groups union schools for work ers The Ontario Federation of Labor and its Quebec counterpart have si milar programs BASF Intermediate Fine Chemicals PROUD TO BE A PART OF HALTON HILLS BASF Canada Inc Since 1 Georgetown Ontario 4168776952 18003872453 TAXI MILL ST GEORGETOWN ONTARIO DIVISION OF HAL ION HIL HOLDING L TO 8777400 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