WHMIS 2015 covers a wide range of hazardous chemicals and substances (called “controlled products”), including everyday chemical products found in workplaces, such as cleaning supplies, adhesives and solvents.
What products are covered by WHMIS?
All hazardous products used in the workplace are covered by the WHMIS regulations, and a WHMIS program, including education and training, must be in place.
What is a WHMIS product?
Under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), a controlled product: Is any substance that is a compressed gas, or an oxidizing material. A substance that is poisonous, infectious, flammable, combustible, corrosive or dangerously reactive.
Which are standardized items under WHMIS?
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's national hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are hazard classification, cautionary labelling of containers, the provision of (material) safety data sheets ((M)SDSs) and worker education and training programs.
What is an example of a hazardous product according to WHMIS legislation?
A hazardous product is a product, material or substance that meets the criteria to be classified in one or more of the hazard classes of the Hazardous Products Regulations, made under the Hazardous Products Act. These can be chemicals, biologicals or other similar materials.
What is WHMIS 2015?
WHMIS stands for the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. It is a comprehensive system for providing health and safety information on hazardous products intended for use, handling, or storage in Canadian workplaces.
What products are not covered by WHMIS laws?
The following products are exempt from the WHMIS 2015 legislation:Explosives (as defined in the Explosives Act)Cosmetics, devices, drugs or foods (as defined in the Food and Drugs Act)Pest control products (as defined in the Pest Control Products Act)More items...
Which item is not part of WHMIS 2015?
Other Products Excluded from WHMIS Wood or products made of wood. Explosives as defined in the Explosives Act. Nuclear substances within the meaning of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, that are radioactive. Hazardous waste that is being sold for recycling, recovery, or is intended for disposal.
What does WHMIS 2015 provide information about hazardous chemicals?
WHMIS , now known as WHMIS 2015, has changed to: adopt new international standards for classifying hazardous workplace chemicals and giving information and safety data sheets. classify hazardous products into two broad hazard groups, physical hazards and health hazards.
What are the classes and categories of hazardous products?
Do all hazard classes and categories require a pictogram?Flammable gases – Category 2.Flammable liquids – Category 4.Self-reactive substances and mixtures – Type G.Organic peroxides – Type G.Combustible dusts – Category 1.Simple Asphyxiants – Category 1.Serious eye damage/eye irritation – Eye Irritation – Category 2B.More items...
Are consumer products covered under WHMIS?
Consumer products are partially exempt from the requirements of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). The Federal Hazardous Products Act and regulations state that suppliers do not have to apply WHMIS compliant labels or provide a safety data sheet (SDS) for these products.
What products have WHMIS symbols on them?
WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) helps identify the hazards of products like chemical and infectious agents. WHMIS groups products with similar properties or hazards into classes....Gas Cylindercompressed gas,liquefied gas,refrigerated liquefied gas, and.dissolved gas.
What is the hazardous product Act?
The Hazardous Products Act (HPA) requires suppliers of hazardous products to communicate the hazards associated with their products via product labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) as a condition of sale and importation for workplace use.
What is a WHMIS program?
A WHMIS program ensures that the information about hazardous products is effectively communicated to workers. Effective communication of information means that workers understand the WHMIS system, know the hazards of the products they work with, know and apply the safe work procedures specific to their jobs and tasks, ...
Who is responsible for WHMIS?
Employers are ultimately responsible for the WHMIS program. The health and safety committee (or representative) helps by making sure workers have the right to participate. Committees may have different roles in different workplaces.
What is a Hazardous Product 2015?
If a product covered by the Hazardous Products Act meets the criteria to be included in one or more of the WHMIS 2015 hazard classes, it is referred to as a "hazardous product". All hazardous products used, handled, or stored in the workplace are covered by the WHMIS regulations, and a WHMIS program including education and training must be in place.
What is education in WHMIS?
Education refers to general information such as how WHMIS works. For example, you will learn about the hazard classes (e.g., why a product is called Corrosive to metals, and what information you can find on labels and SDSs).
How often should a WHMIS program be reviewed?
The WHMIS program should be reviewed at least annually or more often if there are changes in the working conditions. Is the frequency of conducting the chemical inventory, SDS inventory, and label inspection adequate? Are the floor plans up-to-date?
How to know what hazardous products are present?
Keep and maintain accurate records about the identity and amount of hazardous products. Identify the hazards associated with the use, storage, handling, and disposal of the hazardous products.
What information should be included in hazard information?
The hazard information should include the information received from the supplier, as well as any other information that the employer is aware of about the use, storage, and handling of each product.
What is the 2015 WHMIS?
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015 requirements are laid out in the amended Hazardous Product Act (HPA) and the new Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR). Please refer to the link WHMIS 2015 - Orientation to see where specific topics are referenced.
What are the new physical hazard classes in Canada?
All GHS physical hazard classes except the Explosives hazard class have been adopted in Canada by the HPR. In addition, the following new physical hazard classes have been introduced in the HPR to enhance protections for workers: Combustible Dusts, Simple Asphyxiants, Pyrophoric Gases and Physical Hazards Not Otherwise Classified.
Is GHS a health hazard?
All GHS health hazard classes have been adopted in Canada by the HPR. The Biohazardous Infectious Materials hazard class (which is not a GHS health hazard class) has been retained in the HPR in order to maintain worker protection, and a new Health Hazards Not Otherwise Classified class has also been introduced.
What is WHMIS 2015?
While WHMIS 2015 includes new harmonized criteria for hazard classification and requirements for labels and safety data sheets (SDS), the roles and responsibilities for suppliers, employers and workers have not changed . Suppliers, defined as persons who, in the course of business, sell or import a hazardous product, will continue to:
Who will continue to prepare labels and SDSs?
Suppliers , defined as persons who, in the course of business, sell or import a hazardous product, will continue to: prepare labels and SDSs and provide these to purchasers of hazardous products intended for use in a workplace. Employers will continue to: educate and train workers on the hazards and safe use of hazardous products in the workplace;
Is a SDS compliant in Canada?
The classification, label and (material) SDS must comply fully with the specific legislation and regulation chosen by the supplier, and not a combination of the two. A label or SDS that is compliant with the United States Hazard Communication Standard (2012) may not be sufficient for compliance in Canada.
What are WHMIS exempt products?
1. Pest Control Products – pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. One of the most common categories of WHMIS-exempt products are pesticides. Herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides all fall under this umbrella. These products are covered under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Although manufacturers of these products are not ...
What are some examples of products covered by the Food and Drugs Act?
Some examples we see in the Chemscape library include Aspirin tablets, veterinary drugs, and some soap products ( cosmetic).
What should be treated differently than any other workplace chemical?
If a consumer product is brought into a workplace environment, it should be treated no differently than any other workplace chemical. The hazards need to be understood, and employees working with this chemical should receive proper training and education for safe use. 4. Cosmetics, devices, drugs or food.
What is consumer chemical?
Consumer chemical products are products that are available for sale to the general public at retail outlets such as Canadian Tire . These products are regulated under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. Generally, they are sold and used in smaller quantities than a chemical purchased for workplace use and the labelling of the consumer chemical will cover the directions for safe use.
What is manufactured article?
Manufactured Articles – printer cartridges, pens, electrical equipment. These are products that: are shaped or designed during manufacture to certain specifications. their intended use is the product or shape as a whole. will not release hazardous products during normal use or installation.
Do you need an SDS for WHMIS?
Products that are exempt from WHMIS regulation can still have hazardous properties and your workplace chemical safety program should have an SDS for all products that workers could be potentially exposed to. Workers need to be trained on the hazards of each product they are using including the safe use, storage and disposal of that product.
Do all products need an SDS?
Do all products and chemicals need an SDS under WHMIS? WHMIS regulation states you require an SDS for all hazardous products at your worksite. Some products in the workplace are exempt from this rule. WHMIS may not apply to all products especially if they are regulated under other legislation in Canada.