Housekeeping and Material Handling

Topic 2 – Housekeeping and Material Handling

Housekeeping Requirements

A disorderly worksite can be the cause of slips, trips and falls, injuries from falling objects, damage to materials, as well as decreased morale and frustration among workers. An important part of jobsite safety is reliant on a well organized and tidy work area. Effective use of space, prevention of accidents, and more efficient tool storage and maintenance are some benefits of good housekeeping.

Good housekeeping is characterized by a number of things:

The above is not a comprehensive list, and the benefits can not be overstated for keeping a neat worksite.

***What other characteristics of proper housekeeping can you think of? What should workers avoid to keep an area clean and free of hazards?

Material Handling

Material for buildings can quickly overwhelm a worksite without proper planning and foresight. Delivery of materials should be planned beforehand. Knowing where the material goes, the procedures and methods or unloading, and storage of materials should be pre-assessed. Materials should not be stored in walkways excessive materials should be removed to be either stored for long-term storage or returned to the supplier.

When moving heavy or awkward objects, it is important to plan your route. Ensure that the walkway is clear of obstructions and that you are able to view your path as you move the materials. Temporary storage of materials may require special considerations, such as sheet goods which should be nailed down to prevent from being blown over with the wind, especially on roof tops.

When storing material, it should be placed on level ground to prevent it from shifting or sliding onto workers. Often material is stored on dunnage with will help prevent damage from moist ground conditions.

Review Questions

1. Name five consequences of poor housekeeping.
2. What should be planned for prior to material being delivered?
3. How should plywood be stored?

Topic 3 – Identify Types of Industrial Health Hazards

WHMIS

WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems) is a Canada-wide system that was developed to provide employers and workers with a universal information system that is used to identify hazardous products used in the workplace. WHMIS is composed of three parts:

*As of 2015, WHMIS was changed to incorporate the GHS (Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) which standardized the symbols and labels used at an international level.

WHMIS outlines the responsibilities of the supplier, employer, and employee:

• Ensuring their hazardous product is appropriately classified
• Provide labels for hazardous products
• Provide safety data sheets (SDS) to their customers

• Making sure all hazardous products are appropriately labelled
• Make up to date SDS data sheets available for workers
• Provide worker education and training
• Make sure appropriate control measures are in place to protect the health and safety of workers

• Participating in education and training programs
• Taking the necessary steps to protect themselves and their coworkers
• Participating in identifying and eliminating hazards

Identify WHMIS Hazard Classification

Products identified under WHMIS are categorized into groups, classes, and categories. There are two groups: physical hazards and health hazards, with subclasses under them.

The following table shows the five physical hazard pictograms with their corresponding classes:

There are four distinct and five total pictograms used for health hazards, as the following table shows:

Identify WHMIS Labels

As part of WHMIS, labels are required on all hazardous products. There are two types of WHMIS labels:

The supplier of a hazardous product is required to provide a supplier label. If the product used is only contained within the manufactured container, no additional labels will be required. The supplier label is required to contain all of the following:

An example of a workplace label can be seen on the next page. There are portions that are more obvious than other, such as the pictograms, signal words, and the product identifier. The important information regarding hazards is made to be easily picked out.

In specific circumstances, a workplace label may be required if. It needs to contain the product name, safe handling precautions, and a reference to the SDS. A workplace label is required if:

SDS (Safety Data Sheets)

Safety data sheets are documents provided by the supplier. They are more detailed than the supplier label and must be reviewed by workers who are handling a hazardous product. The SDS contains 16 sections:

1. Identification – Product identifier, recommended use, restrictions on use
2. Hazard Identification – Class and category, pictogram(s), signal word(s), hazard statement(s)
3. Composition/ Information on Ingredients – Chemical name, common names, additives
4. First Aid Measures – Measures taken in the event of inhalation, skin contact, etc.
5. Fire-fighting Measures – Type of fire extinguisher, specific hazards from combustion
6. Accidental Release Measures – PPE worn in the event of a spill, precautions, and emergency procedures, methods for cleanup
7. Handling and Storage – Precautions for safe handling and storage
8. Exposure Controls/Personnel Protection – Occupational exposure and appropriate control mechanisms, engineering controls, PPE used when working with the product
9. Physical and Chemical Properties – Appearance, odour, flammability
10. Stability and Reactivity – Hazardous reactions, conditions to avoid, incompatible materials
11. Toxicology Information – Routes of exposure, symptoms related to toxic health effects, chronic health effects, measures of toxicity
12. Ecological Information – Ecotoxicity, persistence and degradability, bio-accumulative potential
13. Disposal Considerations – Safe handling for disposal, methods of disposal
14. Transport Information
15. Regulatory Information – Safety, health, and environmental regulations
16. Other Information – latest date the SDS was revised

Review Questions

1. What are the three primary components of WHMIS?
2. What are the two hazard groups? Name three classes in each.
3. What must be provided to workers when handling or working with a hazardous product?
4. What must be placed on a container that a hazardous product has been transferred to?
5. Who supplies the SDS?