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SITE-SPECIFIC EDUCATION

Site-specific education covers actual situations met by workers on the job. It must address:

 procedures for safe use, storage, and handling of controlled products, and
 procedures for dealing with leaks and other emergencies.

The contents of site-specific education can be determined when the following questions have been
answered:

1. What controlled products are present in the workplace, and where are they used and stored?

2. What levels of exposure to eachcontrolled product arebeing experienced by workers?

3. What kinds of controls are being used to protect workers and how effective are they?

4. What are the existing proceduresfordisposalofhazardous wastes?

5. What are the emergency plans fordealingwithspills, leaks,fires, explosions?

6. Where and when is personal protective equipment used; how are workers trained in its use and main-
tenance; and what are its limitations?

Labels and MSDS can be used for pre-job planning - identifying the hazards and control measures
required before the job begins. A toolbox meeting could be held to discuss how well the controls are
working.

Requirements for Review

The worker education program must be reviewed frequently enough to ensure that the workers are
thoroughly familiar with the hazards and handling procedures of controlled products they use. (In other
jurisdictions in Canada, the worker education program must be reviewed at least once a year. This is
not a requirement in Alberta.) It is recommended that whenever there is a change in conditions
with regard to controlled products, or new information is available, the WHMIS worker education
program should be reviewed.

When there have been changes in the process or other procedures involving controlled products, new
information discovered about a controlled product, or improved control or emergency equipment
becomes available, workers must be updated.

Responsibilities

Suppliers have no direct responsibility.

Employers are responsible to deliver worker education. The OHS legislation directs employers
to instruct workers as described in this section (both generic and site specific aspects). WHMIS
education should be incorporated into the municipality’s overall health and safety management
system and the orientation and training aspect of the management system.

Workers are required to participate in the education and use the information to protect
themselves and their coworkers. They are also expected to bring forward any concerns they have
about controlled products.

38 AMHSA