What is WHMIS and why is it important?
WHAT IS WHMIS AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT. WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and is a set of national standards created by Health Canada to ensure the safety of all Canadians surrounding work hazards, as well as sensitive and chemical substances.
What is the ultimate goal of WHMIS?
The ultimate goal of WHMIS is to create a safer workplace by providing workers with the knowledge and tools to enable them to understand the hazards and to work safely. CHEMICAL SAFETY TRAINING MANUAL R1 PAGE 4 OF 44 JULY 2013 2. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS 2.1 Federal Legislation 2.1.1 WHMIS ...
What do employers need to know about WHMIS?
- The implementation and maintenance of a WHMIS education and training program
- Providing all hazard information possible about materials encountered in the workplace with information sourced from the product’s supplier or based on other available information
- Annual reviews of the WHMIS training program
What is the most important aspect of WHMIS?
Workers should be able to answer these questions for every hazardous product they work with:
- What are the hazards of the product?
- How do I protect myself from those hazards?
- What do I do in case of an emergency?
- Where can I get further information?
What are the 3 main parts of WHMIS?
The main components of WHMIS are hazard identification and product classification, labelling, safety data sheets, and worker education and training.
What are the 3 things required on a workplace label?
In general, a workplace label will require the following information:Product name (matching the SDS product name).Safe handling precautions, may include pictograms or other supplier label information.A reference to the SDS (if available).
What is WHMIS called now?
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 does each letter of WHMIS mean?
WHMIS 1988 - WHMIS Classes, Divisions and Subdivisions and Corresponding Hazard Symbols. Class A - Compressed Gases. Class B - Flammable and Combustible Materials. Class C - Oxidizing Materials. Class D - Poisonous and Infectious Materials.
What does the exclamation mark mean in WHMIS?
The exclamation mark pictogram is used for the following classes and categories: Acute toxicity – Oral, Dermal, Inhalation (Category 4) Skin corrosion/irritation – Skin irritation (Category 2) Serious eye damage/eye irritation – Eye irritation (Category 2 and 2A)
How many signal words are there?
two wordsThere are only two words used as signal words, “Danger” and “Warning.” Within a specific hazard class, “Danger” is used for the more severe hazards and “Warning” is used for the less severe hazards. There will only be one signal word on the label no matter how many hazards a chemical may have.
What are the 8 WHMIS symbols?
10 Types of WHMIS Labels and Their Symbol MeaningsType #1: Flame symbols.Type #2: Flame over circle symbols.Type #3: Exploding bomb symbols.Type #4: Compressed gas symbols.Type #5: Corrosion symbols.Type #6: Skull and crossbones symbols.Type #7: Exclamation mark symbols.Type #8: Health hazard symbols.More items...•
What is the main purpose or goal of WHMIS?
WHMIS was created to help stop the injuries, illnesses, deaths, medical costs, and fires caused by hazardous materials.
What replaced WHMIS?
Implementation of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) - WHMIS 2015. Is WHMIS being replaced by the GHS in Canada? No. The GHS will modify the well-known, Canadian WHMIS program, updating the pictograms, labels, (material) safety data sheets ((M)SDS) and changing classification requirements.
Why are WHMIS symbols important?
WHMIS labels are important because workplaces need a standardized method to identify hazardous materials. The WHMIS system assigns responsibilities to both the suppliers and the employers to classify any dangerous hazards.
What is WHMIS in chemical classification?
WHMIS is a part of the world-renowned hazard communications system which is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. There are many benefits with aligning with the GHS. These include the following: Any new hazard classifications are identified.
What is WHMIS training?
There is workplace specific WHMIS training that teaches specific hazardous substances located in the workplace as well as the procedures that must be followed for the storage, safe use, disposal, handling, and emergencies associated with the various substances.
What are the three main elements of WHMIS?
There 6 classes of controlled products that are covered in WHMIS. Three main elements of WHMIS are Worker Education , MSDSs, and Labels. The MSDSs (Material Safety Data Sheets) is provided by the manufacturer or supplier. And the workplace labels are provided by the employer.
Why is WHMIS important?
WHMIS helps avoid injury and ensure environmental protection. Its keep the workplace safe for all workers and people handling these materials. It tells workers how to handle and dispose of dangerous materials as well as how to read safety labels.
What is WHMIS training?
General training educates employees on labeling and symbols on hazardous materials and substances. It teaches employees how to read these labels. This includes information on the colors, abbreviations, and numbers.
What are some examples of WHMIS?
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and the Hazardous Products Act are two examples. The Controlled Products Regulations and the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act also involve WHMIS. Federal regulations are the same across Canada. But WHMIS may differ between provinces and territories.
What happens if you don't follow WHMIS?
If not, they put their employees and workplaces at risk. Not complying with WHMIS training and regulation face consequences.
Is WHMIS the same across Canada?
Federal regulations are the same across Canada. But WHMIS may differ between provinces and territories. Some provinces and territories have added to or made changes from federal regulations. It’s important to know the WHMIS standards for your place of work. Across all WHMIS regulations, the basics remain the same.
Does WHMIS training cover the second part?
WHMIS training online courses are one option for training. They keep employees updated employees on general WHMIS regulations and labels. This won’t cover the second part of the necessary WHMIS training.
Do you need to be trained to use WHMIS?
Employees exposed to these materials, or those who are likely to come into contact with them, have to be trained. Anybody who won’t be exposed doesn’t need training. In cases where a new employee has WHMIS training, an employer should still be providing training. Training is specific to their workplace.
WHMIS Symbols
The most recognizable aspect of WHMIS are the different symbols that are associated with various hazards. These symbols are taken right from the GHS standards, which is popular in countries around the world. Using the same symbols makes it a lot easier for businesses and employees to quickly recognize potential dangers.
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When did the WHMIS transition?
WHMIS is now in the midst of its first major transition, which will correlate these familiar symbols with the internationally employed Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling for Chemicals (GHS), which itself dates back to the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
What is HazCom label?
HazCom labels can also be custom-designed and printed in a variety of formats and sizes to include the NFPA Diamond, HMIS II and III, and WHMIS to meet local and national standards . Chemical warning label-making software.
What is WHMIS 2015?
WHMIS is in a period of transition between two hazard communication regimes - WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015 (which incorporates the GHS). WHMIS requirements of the amended Hazardous Products Act and Hazardous Products Regulations which incorporate the GHS.
What is the GHS in WHMIS 1988?
WHMIS 1988 has changed to incorporate the GHS, which is an internationally consistent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information though labels and safety data sheets. This topic includes information about the new hazard communication regime for workplace chemicals - WHMIS 2015, including the amended HPA and Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) and information on the availability of technical guidance.
How many stages of transition for WHMIS 2015?
To give suppliers, employers and workers time to adjust to the new system, WHMIS 2015 implementation will take place gradually over a three-stage transition period that is synchronized nationally across federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions. Learn more about WHMIS transition and how to remain compliant with WHMIS requirements.