What is WHMIS?

WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. It is in place to provide information needed to ensure the safe use of hazardous chemicals in workplaces. WHMIS has four main components: hazard identification and product classification, labeling of the chemicals/products, Material Safety Data Sheets, and worker training and education. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System is legislated by both provincial and federal jurisdictions, guaranteeing uniformity across all of the provinces and territories.

The system is a Canada-wide structure and includes regulations that affect suppliers, employers, and the labourers who will be exposed to the hazardous materials. Suppliers are required to label and prepare Material Safety Data Sheets for any products that meet the hazardous criteria lined out in the Controlled Products Regulations under the Hazardous Products Act. Employers must make certain that MSDSs are available and set up worker education sessions that teach workers the significance of labels and safety sheets and how to correctly read them. Finally, labourers must follow the safety guidelines in the MSDS sheets to provide the safest workplace possible.

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System was created for workers who have the right to know what hazards may be associated with the materials they are exposed to. Exposure to hazardous chemicals can lead to serious safety issues such as fires, and negative health effects on many bodily organs. Knowing the hazards that may arise and the proper procedures to decrease these dangers can create a much safer working environment. WHMIS can help bring to an end the illnesses, injuries, deaths and property damage caused by hazardous materials.

About Canadian Chemical Product Labels - CCCR vs. WHMIS

There are two regulations legislating how to label chemical products in Canada. One of these is the CCCR (Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001) which applies to products that will only be available to consumers. The other regulation is WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) which would apply only to those chemicals that will be used in an industrial or institutional setting.

Both types of labels demonstrate the hazards of the products as well as safety measures to take into consideration while using the product. However, each regulation has specific requirements that the label must fulfill in order to be compliant.

CCCR labels are divided into two parts: a main display panel and a secondary panel. On the main display panel, the hazard symbol(s) must be displayed as well as the signal word and primary hazard statement(s). On the secondary display panel, specific hazard statements, negative and positive instructions, and first aid treatment statements relating to the hazard must be listed. All information in the secondary panel must be enclosed in a border. In addition, all statements on both panels must be in English and French. Finally, the CCCR sets out specific size requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be compliant.

WHMIS labels are slightly different. There is only one panel which contains all information. All information on the label must be enclosed in a hatched border. It must list the product identifier, the supplier identifier, hazard symbols, risk phrases, precautionary measures and first aid measures, when appropriate.