WHMIS Policy

DEFINITION              
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a comprehensive national communication system for safe management and use of hazardous materials that is legislated by both the federal and provincial jurisdictions.

REGULATION
WHMIS legislation requires that workers must be informed about the hazardous materials in the workplace and receive appropriate training to enable them to work safely.


To accomplish this, WHMIS requires all suppliers of hazardous materials to label and prepare Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s) for products they make, import, package, or process that meet the hazard criteria set out in the Controlled Products Regulations under the federal Hazardous Products Act. Please note that this does not apply to products labelled for individual consumer sales.
The buyers of these controlled products must make sure that these products are correctly labelled and that MSDS’s are available to those using the products. Employers must set up worker education programs to instruct workers about the WHMIS legislation, the contents and significance of labels and MSDS’s, and how to work safely with hazardous materials.
In summary, WHMIS delivers the necessary information by the following means:

  • labels on containers of controlled products,
  • MSDS’s for each controlled product,
  • worker training programs.

The ultimate goal of the WHMIS program is to create a safer workplace by providing workers with the knowledge and tools to enable them to work safely.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Supplier: The supplier of the controlled product must classify the product according to the type of hazard, label it according to the regulation and provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).


Employer: The Employer is defined under the Occupational Health and Safety Act as a person who employs one or more workers. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that the WHMIS program is implemented.


Supervisor At Canadian Protection Providers Inc , the employer delegates the implementation of the WHMIS program to supervisors. A supervisor is defined by the Act as a person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker.
It is the responsibility of each supervisor to ensure that the WHMIS program is properly implemented in the workplace. This includes the following:

  • Identification of products used in the workplace that are controlled under WHMIS;
  • Ensure that these products are correctly labelled;
  • Ensure that MSDS’s are available in the workplace for these products;
  • Provide training to those working with these products as to the use, storage and handling;
  • Ensure that this information is understood by the worker; and
  • Ensure that worker training records are maintained.

Worker: The Worker is defined by the Act as a person who is paid for work or services. It is the worker’s responsibility to participate in the WHMIS education program, to follow the procedures and use the equipment provided, to review MSDS’s and labels, and to bring items of concern to the attention of the supervisor.


JHSC: The Act requires the Employer to develop and implement the WHMIS program in consultation with the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) where applicable, and to review it annually.

WHMIS Components
Labels: The label is the first indication to the users that the product may be hazardous. There are two types of labels, supplier labels and workplace labels.

Supplier labels must appear on containers of controlled products coming into the workplace. The supplier has a legal requirement to produce and attach these labels. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to ensure products coming into the workplace have a supplier label.

Workplace labels are required when controlled products are decanted into another container in the workplace. They may also be used to replace labels that have become worn or damaged.

There are other means of identification when labels are not appropriate. Detailed information about labels is part of the WHMIS education program.

MSDS: The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is an important source of information for the worker and supervisor. The MSDS must be available in the workplace and the supervisor and worker must review the hazards of the product before work begins to ensure that proper precautions are taken.
The MSDS must include the following nine categories:

  • Product Identifier and related information
  • Hazardous Ingredients
  • Physical Data
  • Fire and Explosion Data
  • Reactivity Data
  • Toxicological Data
  • Preventive Measures
  • First Aid Measures
  • Preparation Information

The information provided is expected to be comprehensive and must include what is reasonably expected to be known about the material and the hazards it may present. MSDS's from different companies may not look the same but they must contain the same basic information. Each section of a MSDS must be filled in, even if it only states: "not determined" or "not applicable".

Training Requirements
The legislation states that WHMIS training must include the following:

  • The contents required on a supplier label and workplace label, and the purpose and significance of the information contained on the labels;
  • The contents required on a Material Safety Data Sheet and the purpose and significance of the information contained on the MSDS
  • Procedures for the safe use, storage, handling and disposal of a controlled product;
  • Procedures to be followed when fugitive emissions are present; and
  • Procedures to be followed in case of an emergency involving a controlled product.

WHMIS Training on site
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training is provided on site and is mandatory for all employees who may come into contact with hazardous materials. This training program will provide employees with the basic knowledge required for both recognition and safe handling of hazardous materials. For a specific chemical(s) used in the workplace, the supervisor is to inform the worker of hazards and risks associated with that product.
While there is no expiry on the training, it is up to the supervisor to ensure that the WHMIS system is being applied in the workplace appropriately. Workers who may require refresher training should be given every opportunity to do so.