Course: Hazardous Materials

Information for Instructor

Target audience:

All Guelb II workers and supervisors who will be

required to work with or handle hazardous
materials.

Objectives:

Make workers and supervisors aware of the risks of

working with hazardous materials on a site.

Limits:

This course is designed to convey general safety

rules to workers and supervisors.

Learning method:

In-class training with instructor.

Estimated duration:

60 minutes.

Evaluation:

Questionnaire to be filled out at end of course.

On the
Guelb II Site

Hazardous Materials

Session Developed and Presented by

SNC-Lavalin

Hazardous Materials
Upon completion of this course, workers and supervisors will be
able to:
Identify hazardous chemicals on the Guelb site.
Read an identification label on a hazardous chemical.
Respond in complete safety to incidents involving hazardous
chemicals.
Handle hazardous chemicals safely (for supervisors).
Evaluation: You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire at the end of the
course and hand it in to your instructor.

Hazardous Materials
Example of an accident

Ali is using a metal cleaning product

and pours some into an empty water
bottle. Later, he accidentally picks up
the wrong bottle and drinks the toxic
chemical. Ali dies from intoxication.
You must always clearly identify
hazardous material containers and
use them only for that purpose.

Hazardous Materials
Sections:
1) Scenario
Definitions
Associated risks
2) Hazardous chemicals
Pictograms
3) Identification labels
4) Material safety data sheet
5) Preventive measures

Hazardous Materials
Introduction

The high number of times hazardous chemicals are handled on

construction sites increases the risk of an accident. Chemicals
can also interact and become even more dangerous for workers.

Hazardous Materials
Definitions

Hazardous materials contain chemicals that can injure or affect

the health of workers. For example:
Cleaning or stripping products;

Chemicals;
Explosives;
Hazardous gasses.

Hazardous Materials
Associated risks

Mohamed is using a hazardous

chemical from the storage
cabinet. Hazardous materials
were improperly stored. What is
the risk?

Hazardous Materials
Associated risks

A worker can become

intoxicated quickly by vapours
resulting from improper
chemical storage.

Hazardous Materials
Here are a few questions
Name two examples of hazardous chemicals used on the
Guelb site.

How can an identification label on a hazardous chemical be

of help to workers?
What could happen if a hazardous chemical is stored in a
bottle that is not clearly identified?

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Hazardous Materials
Sections:
1) Scenario
Definitions
Associated risks
2) Hazardous chemicals
Pictograms
3) Identification labels
4) Material safety data sheet
5) Preventive measures

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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

All hazardous chemicals must be

identified with a pictogram.
Pictograms help workers identify the
proper measures to take.
We will now introduce the various
pictograms used for hazardous
chemicals.

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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Explosives and compressed gasses are considered

hazardous materials.

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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Explosives can only be handled by workers who have

taken the Blasting course on the Guelb site. Refer to
the Blasting course for more information.

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Blaster
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Certified Dynamiter

Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Combustibles and flammable materials are substances

that can catch fire easily. Workers must:
Keep them away from any source of flame;

Store them in a cabinet protected by a firewall

(hazardous materials storage locker).

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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Gasoline and diesel fuel are combustible materials.

Gasoline must be kept in a red
container:

Diesel fuel must be kept in a

yellow container:
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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Oxidizers are materials that feed a fire but do not burn

themselves. Oxidizers can create a fire with a
flammable material even in the absence of air.
Workers must:
Keep them away from combustibles and flammable
materials.

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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Toxic materials (poisons) are products that cause

immediate and serious toxic effects. Workers must:
Avoid any direct contact with them;

Wear the required PPE appropriate for the situation

before handling them;
Work in a well-ventilated space.

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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Noxious materials produce effects that are non-toxic,

but still dangerous. Workers must:
Wear the required PPE appropriate for the situation
before handling them;
Work in a well-ventilated space.

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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Irritants present a risk when they are used repeatedly.

Workers must:
Wear the required PPE appropriate for the situation
before handling them.

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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Corrosives are materials that can destroy living tissue

on contact. Workers must:
Prevent their skin from being exposed to any such
product;
Wear PPE to protect their bodies.

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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Workers must wear the following PPE at all times when handling
corrosive materials:

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Hazardous Materials
Pictograms

Environmentally hazardous materials are chemicals

that can damage the ecosystem if released into the
environment. Workers must:
Be informed on how to get rid of such chemicals.

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Hazardous Materials
Hazardous material transport

Pictograms are attached to the transport

equipment (trucks, trains, boats) used to
carry hazardous materials onto the
Guelb site to identify the hazard.

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Hazardous Materials
Hazardous material transport

For example, trucks use the

symbols shown on the right when
transporting barrels of gasoline or
propane gas cylinders:
Pictograms are diamond-shaped.
Workers who see an identified
vehicle must be careful to avoid
any dangerous incidents.

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Hazardous Materials
Hazardous material transport

Vehicles must have hazardous

material transport pictograms when
carrying more than 25 litres of a
hazardous chemical:

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Hazardous Materials
Here are a few questions
What measures must workers take in the presence of
compressed gas?
What PPE must be used when handling corrosive materials?
Which workers are authorized to handle explosives on the
Guelb site?

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Hazardous Materials
Sections:
1) Scenario
Definitions
Associated risks
2) Hazardous chemicals
Pictograms
3) Identification labels
4) Material safety data sheet
5) Preventive measures

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Hazardous Materials
Identification labels

All hazardous chemicals on the Guelb site must have

identification labels and one or more pictograms illustrating their
potential dangers.

Identification
label

Pictogram

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Hazardous Materials
Identification labels

Here are the two types of labels found on all hazardous

chemicals:

The Suppliers label must

be present on the product
during its transport to the
Guelb site.

The working label must be

attached to the bottle used
on the job as soon as it is
filled (by the supervisor).
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Hazardous Materials
Identification labels

The Suppliers label must contain

the following information:
Product name;

Suppliers name;
REACH pictogram;
Risk indications;
Precautions;
First-aid;
Reference to the Material Safety
Data Sheet.

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Hazardous Materials
Identification labels

The working label is used:

Varsol

If the Suppliers label is missing or

illegible;
If the contents were transferred to
another container (by a supervisor).

Working labels must contain:

Product name;
Precautions to take;
Reference to the Material Safety
Data Sheet.
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Flammable; keep away from intense heat

sources.
Container must be grounded.
Avoid contact with eyes; use safety glasses
and gloves.
Respiratory protection is required where
ventilation is inadequate.
Keep container closed.
See MSDS for more information

Hazardous Materials
Sections:
1) Scenario
Definitions
Associated risks
2) Hazardous chemicals
Pictograms
3) Identification labels
4) Material safety data sheet
5) Preventive measures

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Hazardous Materials
Material Safety Data Sheets

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is available for each

chemical used, and is accessible to all site workers. It is only
valid for three years, after which it must be renewed.

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Hazardous Materials
Material Safety Data Sheets

Material Safety Data Sheets contain the

following information:
Product name;

Physical properties;
Fire or explosion risks;
Reactivity and incompatible chemical data;
Toxicity level;
Preventive measures and required PPE;
First-aid required in case of an accident.

The MSDS must be consulted before starting

work.
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Hazardous Materials
Exercise

We will now present a Material Safety Data Sheet.

Answer the instructors questions by reading the MSDS.

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Hazardous Materials
Here are a few questions
What is the difference between Suppliers labels and
working labels?
Name three items the Suppliers label must contain.
Name three items that the Material Safety Data Sheet must
contain.

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Hazardous Materials
Sections:
1) Scenario
Definitions
Associated risks
2) Hazardous chemicals
Pictograms
3) Identification labels
4) Material safety data sheet
5) Preventive measures

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Hazardous materials must be stored in a cabinet or area

provided for the purpose at all times.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

There are three hazardous material

storage locations on the construction
site:
A hazardous material storage area;
A hydrocarbon storage area;
A compressed gas cylinder storage
area.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Hazardous material storage areas must be:

Protected against inclement weather;
Inaccessible to unauthorized workers;
Equipped with spill and first-aid kits;
Clearly identified.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

The hydrocarbon storage area must be:

Enclosed and padlocked at all times;
Fitted with a hydrocarbon retaining basin;
Equipped with spill and first-aid kits.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

The gas cylinder storage area must be:

Screened in;

Locked;
Arranged for cylinders to be separated by their contents.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Storage cabinets must be located in a readily-accessible place

away from any source of ignition. Ignition sources may be flames
of any kind or from hot work.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Workers must never smoke near hazardous materials. They

must keep 10 metres away.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Workers must never try to identify a chemical by its odour. It may

be toxic! Chemicals that are not identified must not be used.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Storage cabinets must be grounded to limit static electricity

shocks (small shocks that result from friction between persons or
objects).
A ground is a metal cable that connects the equipment to earth.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Hazardous chemical compatibility must also be taken into

account. Never mix two chemicals together, especially ones that
are incompatible. Material Safety Data Sheets indicate
incompatible chemicals.
For example, gasoline and chlorine can explode when mixed
together.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Hazardous chemicals used in the home must not be brought

onto the site. Their labels are not adapted for use on the site.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Hazardous materials can have an impact on the environment.

Never throw out or allow a hazardous chemical to escape into
nature.
Hazardous materials must be recovered in containers on the site
(see your supervisor for more information).

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Workers must remain alert for leaks

and odours to prevent spills.
Work must be stopped as soon as
an unusual odour or leak is
discovered.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Workers must have a spill kit on

hand when filling truck tanks or
equipment. The kit contains several
items of equipment (absorbent
powder, special PPE, etc.) designed
to limit the impact of a spill.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Be sure to shut off the engine and

remove the keys when filling truck
tanks or equipment.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

You must connect a bonding cable between the pump being

used and the vehicle when filling truck tanks or equipment. A
bonding cable is a metal wire that prevents a difference in
potential from building up between two metal parts.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Hazardous materials must never be placed in every-day

containers such as drinking glasses or water bottles. Always use
the containers provided for the purpose.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Hazardous materials may only be transferred into a new

container by supervisors who must use the appropriate
containers and attach a working label.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Workers must avoid all direct contact between hazardous

materials and their skin by wearing the required PPE.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

The specific PPE used will depend on the situation. A job safety
analysis must be carried out to identify the risks specific to each
situation. The Material Safety Data Sheet can also be used to
determine the required PPE.
Good ventilation is especially important when using hazardous
materials.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

Workers must be careful not to become

intoxicated by hazardous materials:
Always wash your hands after working
and before eating;
Never put parts, nails or pencils in your
mouth.

Contamination is often caused by putting

a contaminated object in the mouth
repeatedly.

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Hazardous Materials
Preventive measures

The equipment required for rapid response in the event of an

accident must be available close to the work area. A shower
(emergency or eye wash), extinguisher and first-aid kit are
required.
Emergency shower Eye wash fountain

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Extinguisher

First-aid &
rescue kit

Hazardous Materials
Step-by-step

A worker needs to clean part of the plant using some chemicals.

The following steps are necessary to do the job safely:
1. Before starting work, familiarize yourself with the chemicals
used and consult the Material Safety Data Sheet or your
supervisor.

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Hazardous Materials
Step-by-step

2. Next, put on the required PPE depending

on the chemical you are using, as indicated
on the Material Safety Data Sheet.
3. Then ask your supervisor to transfer the
required chemical into a container provided
for the purpose, and to attach an
identification label.

4. Make sure you have the prevention

equipment needed for your safety on hand
nearby while you are working.

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Hazardous Materials
Step-by-step

5. Wash your hands before eating to prevent

your food from being contaminated.

6. After you are finished working, put the

chemicals in the cabinet provided for the
purpose.
7. Waste must be placed in the containers
provided for hazardous materials.

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Hazardous Materials
Here are a few questions
Why must you keep flammable materials and oxidizers
separated?
What should workers do before eating after handling
hazardous chemicals?
What should workers consult to obtain safety information
about the chemicals they will be using?
When working with hazardous materials, what equipment
must be available in case of an accident?

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Hazardous Materials

Any questions?

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Hazardous Materials
Remember:

Always read the label and consult the Material Safety Data
Sheet before using a chemical.

All hazardous chemical containers must be identified

(pictogram and label).
Always assume that a chemical is hazardous before using it.

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Hazardous Materials

Thank you for your attention!

Please fill out the questionnaire

and hand it in to the instructor.

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