WORKPLACE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM (WHMIS)
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GENERAL
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WORKER
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
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LABELS
WHMIS applies to any workplace that has one or more controlled product (more commonly called hazardous products). WHMIS does not apply to a hazardous material that is covered under another piece of legislation such as the Food and Drugs Act or Consumer Products Act, or to manufactured articles or products covered under the Pest Control Products Act. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 5.3)
If controlled products are used in the workplace, the employer, in consultation with the joint health and safety committee (JHSC) must establish and maintain an effective WHMIS program, as part of the overall workplace health and safety program. The WHMIS program must address applicable WHMIS requirements and most be reviewed at least annually, or more frequently if required by a change in work conditions or available hazard information (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 5.5)
The employer must provide general education to workers about WHMIS and ensure that workers have access to all hazard information received about a controlled product. Workers must be instructed in the elements of the WHMIS program, the major hazards of the controlled products in use in the workplace, the rights and responsibilities of employers and workers, and the content required on labels and MSDSs and the significance of this information.
Workers must also be instructed in procedures for safe use, storage, handling and disposal, spills and emergencies. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 5.6 – 5.7)
WHMIS requires all containers of controlled products to be labeled. There are two types of labels: supplier labels and workplace labels.
Containers of controlled product must be labeled with a supplier label when the containers are received. The employer is responsible for ensuring that containers are received with a supplier label attached. If the supplier label becomes illegible, it must be replaced with a workplace label. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 5.8)
A workplace label must be applied to any container of controlled product that does not have a supplier label. For example, a workplace label must be applied to any tank containing a product made in the workplace (e.g., combine parts A and B to make a new chemical) and to any container into which a hazardous product has been decanted. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 5.9 – 5.10)
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDSs)
The employer must obtain an MSDS for each controlled product used in the facility. The MSDS must be less than three years old to be acceptable. If an MSDS less than three years old is not available, the existing MSDS can be updated with any new hazard information available. The MSDS provided to employees may be in a format different from the one provided by the supplier provided that the supplier MSDS is available to workers and the new MSDS contains all the information from the supplier MSDS.
MSDSs for controlled products must be available to workers, and to members of the joint health and safety committee. The MSDSs may be available on a computer provided that employees are trained on how to access the MSDSs, the computer system is maintained and the original MSDS is available on request. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 296/97, 5.14 – 5.16)
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