Cecily Zamora
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a set of laws in Canada that outlines the standard for handling hazardous materials in the workplace. WHMIS was enacted on October 31, 1988, and has since been updated in 2015 to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The original WHMIS requirements are referred to as WHMIS 1988, while the updated version is called WHMIS 2015. The transition to WHMIS 2015 ended on December 1, 2018, and as of June 1, 2019, all federally regulated workplaces in Canada were required to comply with the new requirements. WHMIS is implemented through coordinated federal, provincial, and territorial legislation and is administered by the Labour Program of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in partnership with Transport Canada and the Canada Energy Regulator.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year WHMIS became law in Canada | 1988 |
| Date of enactment | October 31, 1988 |
| Updated version | WHMIS 2015 |
| WHMIS 2015 alignment | United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) |
| WHMIS 2015 transition completion date | December 1, 2018 |
| WHMIS 2015 employer requirements incorporated in | Canada Labour Code, Part II |
| WHMIS regulatory authority for OHS in federally-regulated workplaces | Employment and Social Development Canada's (ESDC) Labour Program |
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What You'll Learn
WHMIS 1988
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, or WHMIS, is a set of guidelines for handling hazardous materials that Canadian companies must follow. The original WHMIS, also known as WHMIS 1988, became law in Canada on October 31, 1988.
The WHMIS was developed to uphold the rights of Canadian workers to be informed about the hazardous materials and chemicals they work with. It was created to prevent serious health and safety risks, including death, illness, and property damage. A tripartite steering committee represented by the government, industry spokespersons, and labour representatives developed the WHMIS.
The Hazardous Products Act and the Controlled Products Regulation are the foundation of WHMIS. It specifies the responsibilities of all stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers. The four key components of the information system are the classification of hazards, labelling of containers, accomplishment of material safety data sheets (MSDS), and education and training programs for workers.
The WHMIS has been updated several times since its inception in 1988 to incorporate new international standards for classifying hazardous materials and providing information on labels and safety data sheets. The most recent update, WHMIS 2015, aligns with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This update ensures that Canadian suppliers, including importers and distributors, provide supplier labels and safety data sheets (SDSs) for hazardous products.
The transition from WHMIS 1988 to WHMIS 2015 took place in three phases, ending on December 1, 2018. As of June 1, 2019, all federally regulated workplaces in Canada were required to comply with WHMIS 2015 regulations.
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WHMIS 2015
WHMIS, or the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, is the Canadian standard for handling hazardous materials in the workplace. The original WHMIS law was enacted on October 31, 1988, and was updated in 2015 to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) developed by the United Nations. This update was referred to as WHMIS 2015.
The key changes from WHMIS 1988 to WHMIS 2015 included new hazard classes, new labelling requirements, and a revised safety data sheet format. WHMIS 2015 divides hazardous products into two major hazard groups: physical hazards and health hazards. These two groups are further divided into hazard classes, which group together products with similar properties. Physical hazard criteria are now also consistent with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations.
The goal of WHMIS is to provide workers with the information they need to stay safe when working with hazardous materials or chemicals. Under WHMIS, hazardous products must have a label and a safety data sheet (SDS). Labels identify the product's hazards and precautionary measures, while SDSs provide more detailed information and must be available on the work site. SDSs are usually written by the manufacturer or supplier of the product, but in some cases, an employer may be required to prepare one. All information on the SDS must appear in a specified order, and in British Columbia, SDSs must be checked every three years to ensure they are up to date.
The transition from WHMIS 1988 to WHMIS 2015 took place in three phases between February 2015 and December 1, 2018, to give suppliers, employers, and workers time to adapt to the new system. As of December 1, 2018, all hazardous products in the workplace must comply with WHMIS 2015 requirements. All manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers must comply with the regulations of WHMIS 2015, and training is available to help companies understand and meet these requirements.
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WHMIS employer requirements
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) became law in Canada on October 31, 1988. It was updated in 2015 to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The transition to WHMIS 2015 ended on December 1, 2018.
As per WHMIS, employers have several responsibilities and requirements to ensure the safety of their employees and workplace. Here are the key employer requirements under WHMIS:
Education and Training
Employers are responsible for educating and training their workers about WHMIS. This includes developing training programs in consultation with the health and safety committee. Training should cover various topics, such as understanding signal words and hazard statements on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), locating relevant safety information, and worksite-specific hazards and procedures. Employers should also provide updates and additional training when significant new data about hazardous products becomes available.
Hazard Assessment and Classification
Employers must assess and classify the hazards of the products used in their workplaces. This involves identifying the risks associated with the use, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials. Employers should also ensure that all hazardous products are properly labelled and that SDSs are current and easily accessible to employees.
Safe Work Procedures
Employers are responsible for developing and implementing safe work procedures for handling hazardous products. This includes ensuring that employees are trained in safe handling practices and providing them with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). Employers should also maintain accurate records of the types and amounts of hazardous products in the workplace.
Compliance with WHMIS Requirements
Employers must ensure that their workplace complies with all applicable WHMIS 2015/GHS regulations. This includes proper labelling of hazardous products, maintaining up-to-date SDSs, and providing easy access to this information for employees. Employers should also be aware of any jurisdictional variations in WHMIS regulations and ensure compliance with the specific requirements in their province or territory.
Supplier Requirements
Employers who produce hazardous products for use in their workplaces must comply with additional supplier requirements. This includes providing proper labels and SDSs for their products and updating this information within a specified timeframe when significant new data becomes available. Additionally, employers must assess the risk of products that are excluded from WHMIS 2015 requirements and ensure they are safely managed under relevant health and safety regulations.
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WHMIS and hazardous products
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, or WHMIS, is a set of laws in Canada that outlines the safe handling of hazardous materials in the workplace. WHMIS was enacted on October 31, 1988, through a series of complementary federal, provincial, and territorial legislation and regulations. The WHMIS law was developed by a tripartite steering committee represented by the government, industry spokespersons, and labour representatives.
WHMIS has four key components: classification of hazards, labelling of containers, accomplishment of material safety data sheets (MSDS), and education and training programs for workers. These components are designed to ensure that Canadian workers are informed about the hazardous materials and chemicals they may encounter in the workplace and to prevent serious health and safety risks, including death, illness, and property damage.
In 2015, WHMIS was updated to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, or GHS. This update, known as WHMIS 2015, introduced new standards for classifying hazardous materials and providing information on labels and safety data sheets. The transition to WHMIS 2015 took place in three phases, ending on December 1, 2018. As of this date, all hazardous products in the workplace must comply with WHMIS 2015 requirements.
Under WHMIS 2015, suppliers, employers, and workers each have specific requirements. Suppliers must ensure that hazardous products are properly labelled and that safety data sheets (SDS) are provided to purchasers. Employers must ensure that hazardous products in the workplace comply with WHMIS 2015 and that workers are trained in the safe handling of these products. Workers have the responsibility to follow the procedures outlined in the education and training programs and to use the information provided on labels and safety data sheets to protect their health and safety.
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WHMIS and workplace safety
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, or WHMIS, is the standard for handling hazardous materials that companies in Canada are required to follow. WHMIS became law in Canada on October 31, 1988. The original WHMIS requirements are generally referred to as WHMIS 1988.
WHMIS was formed to uphold the rights of Canadian workers to be informed about the different hazardous materials and chemicals they use at work. It was created to prevent serious health and safety issues, including death, illness, fires, explosions, and damage to property. The information system was developed by a tripartite steering committee represented by the government, industry spokespersons, and labour representatives.
In 2015, WHMIS was updated to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, or GHS. The updated requirements are referred to as WHMIS 2015. The transition from WHMIS 1988 to WHMIS 2015 took place in three phases and ended on December 1, 2018. As of this date, all hazardous products in the workplace must comply with WHMIS 2015 requirements.
Under WHMIS, suppliers, employers, and workers have specific responsibilities. Employers are responsible for ensuring their workers are trained and educated in WHMIS. Employers can provide this training themselves or choose to have workers trained through an external provider. Employers are also responsible for creating safe work procedures and providing training on the safe handling of hazardous products.
WHMIS provides information on hazardous products, as defined and described in the federal Hazardous Products Act and Hazardous Products Regulations. Each hazardous product must have a label and a safety data sheet (SDS). A label identifies the product's hazards and precautionary measures, while an SDS provides more detailed information.
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Frequently asked questions
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) became law in Canada on October 31, 1988.
WHMIS is the standard of handling hazardous materials that companies in Canada need to follow. It enforces the guidelines described by the federal Hazardous Materials Information Review Act and Hazardous Products Act to ensure safety in workplaces.
WHMIS was updated in 2015 to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This update is referred to as WHMIS 2015.
WHMIS has four key components: classification of hazards, labelling of containers, accomplishment of material safety data sheets (MSDS, now SDS), and education and training programs for workers.
