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 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 does WHMIS stand for?
What does WHMIS stand for? WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Material Information System. All employers whose workplaces handle hazardous materials or products are required to show due diligence in ensuring their employees are WHMIS trained. WHMIS systems must be reviewed every year, including some measure of training.
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 is the main principle behind WHMIS?
Background. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System ( WHMIS ) are laws, created in 1988 to: give employers and workers information about the hazardous products or chemicals they may be exposed to at work. reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
What are three main elements of WHMIS?
WHMIS is a communication system on the hazards of controlled products in the workplace – from the suppliers of controlled products to purchasers, from employers to workers through the three key elements of: labeling, material safety data sheets and workers education.
What type of system is 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.
Who enforces WHMIS requirement in Canada?
Enforcing WHMIS legislation In Ontario, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development is responsible for the enforcement of both the federal and provincial WHMIS legislation. This is done so that employers and suppliers will not be subject to inspections by both federal and provincial inspectors.
What are the 4 main components of WHMIS?
What are the 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 requirements of WHMIS at the workplace?
WHMIS has three very important elements that were designed specifically to provide workers with critical information needed to protect themselves from overexposure or misuse of hazardous materials.Labels. ... Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) ... WHMIS Training & Education.
How is WHMIS set up?
And if you are not sure what chemicals you have, the first step takes care of that.A Hazardous Product Listing or Inventory. ... Hazard Identification. ... Regular Workplace Inspections. ... Education, Training and Testing. ... Review, Evaluate and Revise. ... WHMIS Record Keeping.
Why is WHMIS so important?
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, or WHMIS, is a national program designed to ensure employers' and employees' safety in the workplace. It helps keep both parties informed of the dangers associated with possibly harmful substances they encounter at work.
Who is responsible to ensure that WHMIS is in effect in the workplace?
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 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?
As we said, WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Material Information System. This Canadian standard was first introduced in 1988. It’s designed primarily to inform Canadian workers about hazardous products that they may use or work around on the job.
The Updated 2015 Program
In 2015, Canada updated the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and integrated components from the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemical Products). This marked the first significant changes since WHMIS came into effect in 1988.
How to Complete Your Training
Employers and workers alike can take advantage of training online for certification.
Complete Your WHMIS Training Today
Now you’ve answered the question, “What is WHMIS?” You understand how important it is, and you also know your responsibilities.
What is the WHMIS system?
WHMIS has aligned with the worldwide hazard communication system known as GHS – the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. Aligning with GHS provides many benefits, including: Hazard classification criteria are more comprehensive which improves ability to indicate severity of hazards.
What is WHMIS in Canada?
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. WHMIS has aligned with the worldwide hazard communication system known as GHS – the Globally Harmonized System ...
What is a supplier in WHMIS 2015?
Under WHMIS 2015: a supplier is a “a person who, in the course of business, sells or imports a hazardous product”. a manufacturer is “a supplier who, in the course of business in Canada, manufactures, produces, processes, packages or labels a hazardous product and sells it”. an importer* is “a supplier who brings a hazardous product into Canada, ...
What are the exclusions under WHMIS 2015?
The exclusions under WHMIS 2015 are: Explosives as defined in the Explosives Act. Cosmetic, device, drug or food as defined in the Food and Drugs Act. Pest control products as defined in the Pest Control Products Act. Consumer products as defined in the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. Wood or products made of wood.
When did WHMIS become law?
WHMIS first became law in 1988 through a series of complementary federal, provincial and territorial legislation and regulations. This original system is identified as WHMIS 1988. Updates to implement GHS are referred to as WHMIS 2015.
Who regulates WHMIS?
Health Canada is the government body responsible for the overall WHMIS supplier-related laws. Note that WHMIS is also regulated in the workplace by the provinces, territories and federal (for federally regulated workplaces) governments under their occupational health and safety legislation.
Does CCOHS guarantee accuracy?
Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information.
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.
A system governed by laws
WHMIS is governed by federal and provincial laws and regulations. Any person supplying or using controlled products must comply with it.
Any questions?
You don't know whether the products that you supply or use are controlled products? You want to know more about the laws and regulation? You want to set up a training program for your employees?
What Does Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) Mean?
The workplace hazardous material information system (WHMIS) is a comprehensive safety plan for the handling of dangerous material used in Canadian work environments. This plan includes information in the form of material safety data sheets (MSDS), training programs for workers, and labels for specific products.
Safeopedia Explains Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS)
Hazardous materials can cause serious health problems with exposure including sterility, lung and kidney damage, nervous system damage, cancer, or burns. WHMIS must be provided to Canadian workers by law, and is incorporated into the Hazardous Products Act and the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act.
What does WHMIS stand for?
10 Types of WHMIS Labels and Their Symbol Meanings. June 24, 2021. WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System , which is used to provide health and safety info in Canadian workplaces. As required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), businesses must adhere to WHMIS requirements for labels on hazardous products.
Why is WHMIS important?
The WHMIS safety labels alert users about the risks associated with the product. They are essential for ensuring the safety of employees in hazardous workplaces.
What is the hazard symbol on a WHMIS?
This WHMIS hazard symbol depicts corrosive liquid dripping onto a hand and another onto a piece of metal. Hazardous items with this pictogram can destroy or damage metals. They may also cause permanent bodily damage, such as blisters, scarring, burns, or vision loss.
What does the white star on the chest mean?
The WHMIS label indicates that a product is very hazardous and may result in serious long-term health effects .
What does the O stand for in WHMIS?
The “o” stands for oxygen . This WHMIS hazard symbol indicates that the product may cause a fire or an explosion if not stored and handled correctly. This label represents three physical hazard groups in WHMIS: oxidizing gases (Category 1), oxidizing liquids (Category 1, 2, 3), and oxidizing solids (Category 1, 2, 3).
What does the 7 symbol mean in WHMIS?
Type #7: Exclamation mark symbols. The exclamation mark in this WHMIS safety symbol indicates that a product is hazardous and can result in health consequences. These might include eye irritation, skin allergy responses, as well as organ toxicity.
How to protect yourself from compressed gas?
Protect yourself from this hazard by: Use the smallest amount of compressed gas possible to complete the task at hand. Inspect the cylinder containers and valves for physical damage. Make sure all valves are properly closed when the cylinder container is not in use.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
- A Canada-wide system in which suppliers, employers and workers each have their own responsibilities. WHMIS is there to protect the health and safety of workers by promoting access to information on hazardous materials used in the workplace.
A System Governed by Laws
- WHMISis governed by federal and provincial laws and regulations. Any person supplying or using controlled products must comply with it. Suppliers are governed by federal legislation, specifically the Hazardous Products Act (part II) and the Controlled Products Regulation. Employersare governed by provincial legislation, specifically the Act respecting occupational health and safet…
Any Questions?
- You don't know whether the products that you supply or use are controlled products? You want to know more about the laws and regulation? You want to set up a training program for your employees? Do not hesitate to contact : 1. Your regional CSST office 2. The CSST's Répertoire toxicologique 3. Your joint sector-based association 4. Your CLSC (occupational health team)
A System That Defines Six Classes of "Controlled" Products
- WHMIS divides hazardous materials into six main classes based on their specific hazards. If a product corresponds to one or more of these classes, it becomes a "controlled" product. Download the 6 symbols of WHMIS classes of products (GIF, EPS and SVGformats). Return to the beginning of the content of this page▲