What is WHMIS? WHMIS is a nation-wide legislated system of communication to provide information about the hazards of materials produced, sold in, imported to, or used within the workplace.

 

 

 

 

 

WHMIS requires manufacturers and suppliers of controlled products to provide information to employers and employees about:

• Whether a controlled product is hazardous
  
• The associated risks
  
• How the material should be stored, handled, used and disposed of safely

 

There are three key communication components of WHMIS:

 

Standardized Warning Labels A label displayed on each package or container of a controlled product used in the workplace. Standardized warning symbols are part of the WHMIS Classification System.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Basic information about the specific material including: how it should be handled and/or stored, protective measures, and emergency procedures.
Employee Education Training programs such as this must be provided to every employee.

Supplier

• Classify all products intended for use in a Canadian workplace to determine if supplier labelling and MSDS requirements apply.
  
• Provide hazard information through standardized labels and MSDS's on all controlled products or containers of controlled products.

 

Employer

• Where the employer imports a product directly into the workplace from a source outside Canada, that employer is considered to be the supplier and has the classification responsibilities of a supplier.
  
• Ensure that all containers of controlled products in the workplace have WHMIS labels, identifiers and MSDS's.
  
• Ensure that MSDS's are up-to-date (no more than three years old, and are readily available to employees.
  
• Ensure that an annual chemical inventory is done and available to emergency personnel and employees.
  
• Provide effective worker education to ensure an understanding of the WHMIS labels, MSDS's, and precautionary measures concerning hazardous materials.

Worker

• Participate in training provided by the employer and follow WHMIS regulations.
  
• Handle controlled products in a safe manner.
  
• Inform the employer about damaged or missing labels.
  
• In Ontario, workers also have a responsibility under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to report unsafe conditions. By this definition, knowledge of the improper classification of a controlled product could be considered knowledge of an unsafe condition.

There are six "self-test" questions for this section.  If you think you're ready, go to Question 1 now.  If you think you'd like another look at the content before you test yourself, go back to Responsibilities, or to the beginning of the module.