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WHMIS is a comprehensive system for providing health and safety information on hazardous products intended for use, handling or storage in Canadian workplaces. The main components of this system are hazard identification and product classification, labelling, safety data sheets and worker training program, with duties assigned to the supplier, the employer and the workers.
CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS
WHMIS 2015 applies to two major groups of hazards which includes classes that have specific hazardous
properties.
• Physical hazards group: based on the physical or chemical properties of the product such as flammability,
reactivity, or corrosivity.
• Health hazards group: based on the ability of the product to cause a health effect such as eye irritation,
respiratory sensitization or carcinogenicity.
There are 31 hazard classes divided into category and subcategory
that group together products with similar properties.
The hazardous products classification uses pictograms that are showed
in a red square set on one of its points, except the one for biohazardous
infectious material.
• Classify hazardous products
• Label products or containers
• Prepare safety data sheet (SDS)
• Update labels and SDS
Supplier
• Ensure that hazardous products are properly labelled
• Provide access to SDS
• Provide training programs for workers
• Ensure appropriate control measures are in place to protect workers
Employer
• Participate in WHMIS information and training program
• Take necessary steps to protect themselves and their co-workers
• Participate in identifying and controlling hazards
• Use the proper personal protective equipment
Workers
WHMIS 2015 Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
THE IDEA BEHIND
WHMIS
IS THE RIGHT TO KNOW
WHMIS 2015 hazard pictograms and classes
PICTOGRAMS HAZARD CLASSES
• Gas under pressure
• Flammable gases
• Flammable aerosols
• Flammable liquids
• Flammable solids
• Pyrophoric liquids, solids and gases
• Self-heating substances and mixtures
• Self-reactive substances and mixtures
• Organic peroxides
• Substances and mixtures which, in
contact with water, emit flammable gases
• Oxidizing gases
• Oxidizing liquids
• Oxidizing solids
• Acute toxicity: oral, dermal, by inhalation
• Skin sensitization
• Acute toxicity
• Eye, skin or respiratory irritation
• Specific target organ systemic toxicity – single exposure
• Respiratory or skin sensitization
• Carcinogenicity
• Germ cell mutagenicity
• Reproductive toxicity
• Skin corrosion
• Serious eye damage or irritation
• Corrosive to metals
• Self-reactive substances and mixtures
• Organic peroxides
• Aquatic toxicity: not required in Canada but may be used
• Infectious material, such as bacterias and viruses
LABELS
Labels are the first alert to the user about the major hazards associated with a product. They outline the basic
precautions or safety steps that should be taken.
Labels must be strong enough to remain on the container under normal conditions of transport, storage and use,
and must be distinct from other information appearing on the container.
S Supplier label
The supplier label must be affixed on
any container of hazardous products
by the manufacturer, the distributor or
the importer before shipping. It must
be sustainable, durable and readable.
In Canada, the supplier label must be
bilingual (as one label) or available as
two labels (one in French, one in
English).
The information on the product label
must be in accordance with the
product SDS and should be updated
within 180 days of the supplier being
aware of new information.
Workplace label
The employer has the obligation to
produce and affix a workplace label
for any hazardous product manu-
factured and used in the workplace,
transferred from its original container
or if the supplier label is unreadable
or missing.
In the province of Québec, the
workplace label must be in French
but may include the translation into
one or several other languages as
needed.
MANDATORY INFORMATION
MANDATORY INFORMATION
Optional
SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)
The safety data sheet is a summary document usually produced by the manufacturer or the supplier that provides
informations to identify:
• what are the hazards of the product,
• how to use the product safely,
• what to expect if the recommendations are not followed,
• how to recognize symptoms of exposure,
• and what to do if emergencies occur.
In Canada, the SDSs must be available in the two official languages in one single document. They must be kept in
the workplace by the employer, in a place known to the workers. In addition, they must be easily and quickly
available to those who are likely to be exposed to hazardous products.
A safety data sheet contains 16 categories of information which must be presented in a standardized order. The
headings are also standardized and should appear on the document even if no information is available.
1. IDENTIFICATION
2. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
3. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
4. FIRST-AID MEASURES
5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION *
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS *
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION *
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION *
16. OTHER INFORMATION
* Sections 12 to 15 require the heading to be present, but under Canadian regulations, the supplier has the option to not provide information in these sections.
TRAINING PROGRAM
There are two components to an hazardous products training program which is an obligation of the employer.
• The general training consists of presenting the key elements of WHMIS and the supplier and employer
duties regarding labels and safety data sheet.
• The specific training consists of introducing the workers to information about the risks inherent to the
dangerous products they will used or to which they will be exposed in the workplace, and to specific control
measures related to the use of those products.
The employer must have a way to evaluate the knowledge and the workers’ skills, and should provide periodic
training refreshers and a yearly update of the program.
www.preventex.qc.ca
ISBN : 2-920697-27-7 (Printed version) 2-920697-28-5 (PDF version) 2018-01
Sources: CCHOS
CNESST