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WHMIS - WHMIS Program

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What is a WHMIS program?

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WHMIS stands for the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. It is a comprehensive system for providing health and safety information on hazardous products intended for use, handling, or storage in Canadian workplaces.

A WHMIS program ensures that the information about hazardous products is effectively communicated to workers. Effective communication of information means that workers understand the WHMIS system, know the hazards of the products they work with, know and apply the safe work procedures specific to their jobs and tasks, and know how to respond in an emergency.

Please refer to the following OSH Answers documents for more information about WHMIS:


When does my workplace need a WHMIS program?

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The the federal Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) from Health Canada set out the supplier duties within Canada for WHMIS. These federal laws apply to suppliers, importers, and distributors of hazardous products intended for use, handling, or storage in Canadian workplaces.

The Hazardous Products Regulations set out specific hazard classification criteria for each hazard class included in WHMIS. If a product covered by the Hazardous Products Act meets the criteria to be included in one or more of the WHMIS hazard classes, it is referred to as a "hazardous product". All hazardous products used, handled, or stored in the workplace are covered by the WHMIS regulations, and a WHMIS program including education and training must be in place.

Each jurisdiction (that is – each province and territory as well as where occupational health and safety laws govern federal employees and those businesses that follow federal legislation) also has their own individual WHMIS regulations. While based on the federal requirements, the jurisdictional occupational health and safety legislation covers how the WHMIS system is implemented within the workplace and is related to the employer duties, education and training, workplace labels, and any other workplace requirements.


Who develops the WHMIS program?

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The WHMIS program should be developed by the employer, in consultation with the health and safety committee or representative.


What are the employer's responsibilities under the WHMIS program?

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As an employer, your responsibilities may include to:

  • Know exactly what hazardous products are present, and how they are used, handled, or stored in the workplace.
  • Keep and maintain accurate records about the identity and amount of hazardous products.
  • Identify the hazards associated with the use, storage, handling, and disposal of the hazardous products.
  • Ensure that WHMIS requirements regarding labels and safety data sheets (SDSs) are met.
  • Provide workers with easy access to information, including SDSs.
  • Develop compliant WHMIS labels and SDSs for hazardous products produced for use in the workplace.
  • Determine who may be exposed to the hazardous products.
  • Educate and train workers who may be exposed.
  • Develop procedures for
    • Safe use, handling, storage, and disposal of a hazardous product
    • When the product is in a pipe, piping system, vessel, tank car, etc.
    • How to protect workers who may be exposed
    • What must be done in an emergency that involves the hazardous product
  • Update SDSs and labels when significant new data is obtained from the supplier, and ensure workers receive education and training about the significant new data.
  • For products classified under WHMIS 1988 that are still present at the workplace, obtain a current SDS from the supplier (if the current SDS matches the formulation of the product on site). If no SDS is available, the employer must author a new SDS for that product following WHMIS criteria, and produce a supplier or workplace label. 
  • Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the program.

What are the worker's responsibilities under the WHMIS program?

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As a worker, your responsibilities may include to:

  • Participate in WHMIS education and training.
  • Follow instructions and safe work procedures.
  • Be familiar with all hazardous products you are handling or to which you may be exposed (such as during a spill or fire). Do not use a product unless you have been trained in safe work procedures.
  • Ensure that labels are in good condition. Do not use products without labels.
  • Know how to access the SDSs, and understand the information on the SDS.
  • Ask for help if you have questions.
  • Report any concerns.

What are the responsibilities of the health and safety committees for the WHMIS program?

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Employers are ultimately responsible for the WHMIS program. The health and safety committee (or representative) helps by making sure workers have the right to participate. Committees may have different roles in different workplaces. For example, some committees may be involved with the development of the WHMIS program, the development of the education and training, or with monitoring and auditing. The committee may find concerns during their inspections, or may make suggestions or follow up about solutions.


What are the elements of a WHMIS program?

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The main elements of a WHMIS program are:

  1. Purchasing and Inventory
  2. Hazard Identification
  3. Inspections
  4. Worker Education and Training
  5. Review and Evaluation
  6. Document and Record Keeping

A. Purchasing and Inventory

The employer has the responsibility to know, at all times, what hazardous products are in the workplace and in what amount. A good chemical or product inventory system and corresponding procurement procedures are essential. For example, part of the procurement process for WHMIS is to make sure the supplier has provided the correct and most current labels and SDSs for hazardous products.

It is usually the responsibility of the person in charge of procurement to develop and maintain the inventory. Product inventories will help to:

  • Make the workplace safer by knowing exactly what products are present, in what quantities, and where the products are stored
  • Maintain an up-to-date list of all products
  • Identify (and remove) any excess, unused, or unnecessary products
  • Implement proper storage and handling techniques, including any specific requirements
  • Isolate and store the most hazardous products securely
  • Comply with regulatory requirements

See the OSH Answers document Chemical Inventory for more information.

B. Hazard Identification

When a product is brought into the workplace, it is essential to know the hazards of the product. A summary of the hazards is found on the product's SDS. Review the SDS to make sure the information is complete and accurate. You may need additional information from other sources (such as journals, text books, local jurisdictions, etc.). Knowing the hazards will help you make informed decisions about use, storage, disposal, education, training, and emergency response.

Under WHMIS, employers who produce hazardous products for use in their own workplaces have the duty to assess the hazards, classify the hazards of the products, and provide proper labels and SDSs. Under general occupational health and safety laws, employers are also responsible for safe storage and use of hazardous products.

C. Inspections

Make sure all hazardous products are labelled appropriately, and that SDSs are available. Include WHMIS requirements on your inspection checklist, such as:

  • Are the containers in good condition?
  • Are all labels in good condition?
  • Are any hazardous products present without a label?
  • Do workers know to read the label before using a hazardous product?
  • Do workers know that they must not use a hazardous product which is not labelled?
  • Are all decanted products, which are not used immediately by the person who decanted them, labelled with a workplace label?
  • Are SDSs available and in an accessible location for all workers?
  • Does the information match between the SDS and label for the same product?
  • Are all vessels, pipelines etc. labelled according to WHMIS requirements?

In addition to regular inspections, it may be advisable to have a specific WHMIS inspection at least once a year.

See the OSH Answers document for information on effective workplace inspections.

D. Worker Education and Training

All workers who work with a hazardous product (or who may be exposed to a hazardous product) must learn about the hazards associated with these products. The hazard information should include the information received from the supplier, as well as any other information that the employer is aware of about the use, storage, and handling of each product.

Education and training can be thought of as two separate parts.

  • Education refers to general information such as how WHMIS works. For example, you will learn about the hazard classes (e.g., why a product is called Corrosive to metals, and what information you can find on labels and SDSs).
  • Training refers to the site- and job-specific information for employees that will cover your workplace's procedures for storage, handling, use, disposal, emergencies, spills, and what to do in unusual situations.

Examples of topics that should be covered during education and training include:

  • The information on both the supplier label and workplace label, when each is required, and what that information means.
  • The information on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and what that information means.
  • The procedures required for the safe use, handling and disposal of each hazardous product.
  • Any other procedures that are required when the product is in a pipe, piping system, vessel, tank car, etc.
  • All procedures that must be followed in an emergency that involves the hazardous product.

Workers should be able to answer these questions for every hazardous product they work with:

  • What are the hazards of the product?
  • How do I protect myself from those hazards?
  • What do I do in case of an emergency?
  • Where can I get further information?

E. Review and Evaluation

The WHMIS program should be reviewed at least annually or more often if there are changes in the working conditions. Is the frequency of conducting the chemical inventory, SDS inventory, and label inspection adequate? Are the floor plans up-to-date?

This review would also determine if the current WHMIS education and training is covering all hazardous products that workers may be exposed to, and whether the workers are adequately informed and instructed about these hazards. Refresher education and training is generally required:

  • As needed to protect workers' health and safety
  • If conditions of the workplace have changed
  • If new hazardous products are introduced
  • If the products have changed and now have different hazards
  • When new hazard information becomes available
  • If there is new information about safe use, handling, storage, disposal, or emergency response

Employers must periodically evaluate workers' knowledge using written tests, practical demonstrations, and other suitable means.

F. Document and Record Keeping

Documents and records help the employer to show due diligence and compliance. How long these documents and records must be kept may vary by jurisdiction.

Documents are a “medium” that contains information. Examples of documents may include the actual education and training material, inventory lists, SDS, label, or the inspection checklist forms. Documents should be dated, and indicate when there is a revision.

Records are documents that state the result achieved or provide evidence of activities performed. Examples of records include inspection results, steps taken to control hazards, attendance at sessions, courses completed, survey results, or annual reviews.

Suppliers must prepare and maintain documents, including copies of labels and SDS, as well as sales and purchasing information, and provide these documents to the Minister or to an inspector upon request. Suppliers must maintain their documents for six years or for any other period that may be prescribed. Employers may also need to keep SDSs on record for a set time period (e.g., Manitoba requires employers to keep SDSs on record for up to 30 years).

Employers who prepare supplier labels and SDSs for products produced and used in the workplace would need to follow similar requirements.


What is an example of a WHMIS program implementation checklist?

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The following is an example of a WHMIS program implementation checklist. Adapt this checklist for your workplace's needs.

Table 1
WHMIS Program Checklist
ActivityTime NeededAssigned ToDate Completed
Assign responsibility for WHMIS implementation
1.
2.
3.
   
Establish an inventory of all products
Determine which products (used or produced) are classified as hazardous products under WHMIS.   
WHMIS labels and SDSs
Get SDSs for hazardous products already in the workplace.   
Develop a process for procurement (requesting and receiving) of SDSs with new purchases.   
Develop a method to make the most current SDSs readily available to workers.   
Develop a process to ensure that supplier labels are on (or available) for all new hazardous products received.   
Develop a process to create and provide workplace labels and other means of identification where required.   
Determine hazards
Identify and evaluate the hazards of hazardous products in the workplace (for example, consider the quantities to be used and stored, and the work processes where these products are used).   
Workplace controls   

Based on the hazard evaluation, determine where the following workplace controls may need to be established or upgraded:

  • Substitution of a less hazardous product.
  • Engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation and process modification.
  • Administrative controls such as work procedures and work scheduling.
  • Personal protective equipment and clothing.

Integrate these controls into the overall health and safety program.

   
Emergency procedures
Review first aid procedures, and upgrade them if required.   
Review spill control procedures, and upgrade them if required.   
Review firefighting procedures, and upgrade them if required.   
Notify the local fire department of the location, types, and quantities of hazardous products used and stored.   
Worker education and training   
Complete the WHMIS Education and Training Checklist 
(see below)
   
Evaluate WHMIS program

Establish periodic review process for the following:

  • Check to ensure that SDSs are current.
  • Check that all precautions or items on the SDS have been followed.
  • Check the condition and presence of labels for all hazardous products.
  • Monitor workplace controls to ensure they are effective.
  • Review any incidents or events that may have involved a hazardous product.
  • Review the WHMIS education and training program.
   
WHMIS Education and Training
General   
  • Consult the health and safety committee or worker representative on the development, implementation, and review of the program.
   
  • Identify all hazardous products used in the workplace.
   
  • Evaluate the hazards of each hazardous product. Be sure your education and training program covers these hazards.
   
  • Identify WHMIS instructors, from either internal or external sources.
   
  • Train instructors (if internal), or evaluate their qualifications (if external).
   
  • Identify employees to be instructed – those who may be exposed to hazardous products.
   
  • Establish a process to identify new employees and contractors who require instruction.
   
  • Evaluate labels and SDSs to be used in the education and training program (check for clarity, accuracy and completeness).
   
  • Evaluate safe work and emergency procedures to be used in the WHMIS education and training program.
   
Instruction
  • Provide a general introduction to WHMIS (for example, discuss responsibilities, labels, and SDSs).
   
  • Provide instruction on how to identify hazardous products.
   
  • Provide instruction on control measures and safe work procedures.
   
  • Provide instruction on emergency procedures.
   
  • Provide instruction on accessing information on hazardous products.
   
  • Evaluate the need for additional or specialized instruction to workers (for example, to those with language or learning difficulties) and provide this instruction where required.
   
  • Provide instruction to workers whenever new products are received or new hazard and/or hazard control information becomes available.
   
Follow-up activities
  • Evaluate workers' understanding of WHMIS, and provide further education and training as required.
   
  • Review the effectiveness of the education and training program at least once a year. (Reviews must be done in consultation with the committee or worker representative.)
   

Sample WHMIS Program Checklist is adapted from WorkSafeBC and WorkSafeNB.


  • Fact sheet confirmed current: 2023-03-07
  • Fact sheet last revised: 2021-10-29