Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Hazardous Materials

Chemical Weapons, Designated Substances, Controlled Goods, Nanotechnology

Expandable List

The University has been directed by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to update its initial declaration as affected by the Chemical Weapons Convention (Bill C.87) to include only the activities of 2018 and to forward this information by February 28, 2019.

Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services has been directed by the President to compile essential statistics for the University’s declaration. As an attempt to identify users of toxic chemicals or precursors covered by the Chemical Weapons Convention through Purchasing was not successful due to the use of systems contracts that allow researchers to order on their own, your assistance in having the attached survey completed, on a priority basis is required.

Forms for each of the schedules can be obtained online and signed by your Departmental Chair.

If you do not have any of the following chemicals to declare, a response is not necessary.

REMINDER:  Clarification of the terms “import” and “export”.  The term “import” shall be understood to mean the physical movement of scheduled chemicals into the territory or any other place under the jurisdiction or control of a State Party from the territory or any other place under the jurisdiction or control of another State, excluding transit operations;and the term “export” shall be understood to mean the physical movement of scheduled chemicals out of the territory or any other place under the jurisdiction or control of a State Party into the territory or any other place under the jurisdiction or control of another State, excluding transit operations.

Importing and Exporting of Scheduled Chemicals: Any chemicals listed within Schedule 1 requires a permit for importation. This permit would be required for U.S. imports as well. For exportation, chemicals within Schedule 1 requires a permit and Schedule 2 and 3 require a permit except for entry into the U.S.. Any mixtures of Schedules 1, 2, or 3 also require permits.

Permits must be requested at least 45 days prior to shipment. Please plan your research around these requirements. Further information on the permits can be obtained from the EOHSS office by calling ext. 20335 or emailing Dane Deman.

Toxic chemicals and their precursors are classified into three SCHEDULES according to their utility for chemical weapons production. Please check the REPORT YES box if any of the chemicals listed on the schedules are used or stored within your Department.

Also please note that Schedule 3 refers only to chemicals and their precursors which are produced, imported or exported by the University. Please identify at the bottom of the page, the names of the principal investigators who use or store any of the listed chemicals in order that follow up may be made prior to final declaration.

Please scan and email the schedules to Dane DeMan or Leah Allan, Health and Safety Specialist in Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS) at deman@mcmaster.ca or allanle@mcmaster.ca by February 22, 2019.

Please contact Dane DeMan at ext. 20335 or deman@mcmaster.ca if you have any questions or refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs website.

 

The Controlled Goods Program (CPG) is a Federal Government Program designed to strengthen Canada’s defense trade controls.  Legislated by the Defense Production Act (DPA) and the Controlled Goods Regulation (CGR), the mission of the program is to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons by regulating and controlling the examination, possession and transfer in Canada of controlled goods and/or technology. Specifically, these items fall under Group 2, Hem 5504 and Group 6 of the Export Control List.

Individuals undertaking research in which you possess, transfer or examine controlled goods and/or controlled technology must conform to the Federal Controlled Goods Regulations (CGR) by registering with the Controlled Goods Directorate (CGD).  Registration will be through the Designated Official (DO) of the University in Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS), and includes a security assessment that takes into account the following over the five years prior to the person’s consent to such an assessment: personal references, criminal history, place of residence, employment and educational history.

Controlled Goods Designated Official: 

Alicia Westfall, ext 24967
Gilmour Hall, Rm 304

Alternate Contact:
Cheryl Beecroft, ext 27593
Gilmour Hall, Rm 304

Definitions:

Examine:  Means to consider in detail or subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning.

Possess:  Either actual possession, where a person has direct physical control over a controlled good at any given time, or constructive possession, where the person has the power and the intention at a given time to exercise control over a controlled good, either directly or through another person or persons.

Transfer: means in respect of a controlled good and/or controlled technology to dispose of it or disclose its content in any manner.

Designated Substances

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) has designated a Regulations for 12 designated substances due to their toxicity and/or carcinogenic properties.  The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) defines a Designated Substance as:

  a biological, chemical or physical agent or combination thereof prescribed as a designated substance                                     to which the  exposure of a worker is prohibited, regulated, restricted, limited or controlled.

The following materials have been rated as Designated Substances and are covered under Regulation 490/09:

The Act ensures that workers exposure is controlled, toxic substances in the workplace are clearly identified and the worker’s receive sufficient information to handle toxic substances safely.  The Regulations apply to all individuals and contractors who process, use, handle or store Designated Substances in McMaster University owned facilities, areas in host institutions occupied by McMaster University staff and students or in the field.

Once a Designated Substance is present in the workplace in order for the University to comply with the Act, McMaster University is required to maintain an inventory of all Designated Substances.

If you are using chemicals classified as Designated Substances, please complete an assessment form located in RMM 500 Designated Substances Control Program.  The Designated Substances assessment must be reviewed by your local Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC).  In addition, a copy of the assessment must be reserved in the area containing the Designated Substance, and a copy of the assessment must be sent to Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS).

Please note, if modifications are made to the process, use, handling and/or storage of Designated Substances, the assessment must be updated and reviewed with the local JHSC.

Please send all assessments to EOHSS as we maintain an inventory of all Designated Substances used at McMaster University.  Please submit your copies to EOHSS in Gilmour Hall Room 304 or electronically to eohss@mcmaster.ca.

Over the last several years the amount of research in the area of nanotechnology has been increasing as a result of market demand. As with most new technology, the earliest and greatest exposure to hazards is most likely to occur in the workplace. Workers in the nanotechnology industry have the potential to be exposed to engineered materials with novel sizes, shapes, and physical and chemical properties. The following resources are available regarding best safety practices for working with nanomaterials.

IRSST – Best Practices Guide to Synthetic Nanoparticle Risk Assessment

http://www.irsst.qc.ca/media/documents/PubIRSST/R-599.pdf

NIOSH – Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology – Managing the Health and Safety Concerns Associated with Engineered Nanomaterials

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2009-125/pdfs/2009-125.pdf

NIOSH – General Safe Practices for Working with Engineered Nanomaterials in Research Laboratories

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2012-147/pdfs/2012-147.pdf