When controlled products arrive in the workplace, they must be marked by supplier labels and accompanied by MSDSs. These labels and MSDSs must be presented in both English and French.

Labels

Under WHMIS, there are seven label categories required on most labels. (WHMIS does make allowance for the reduction of the number categories for containers of certain sizes and use.) The seven categories are:

• Product Identifier
• Supplier Identifier
• Reference to the MSDS
• Hazard Symbols
• Risk Phrases
• Precautionary Measures
• First Aid Measures

On WHMIS supplier labels – the letters, numbers and borders must contrast with other marking on the container. Additionally, employers are responsible for making sure no controlled products are used without proper labels. To that end, employers must use workplace labels when contents are transferred to new containers. Workplace labels must have at least 3 categories:

• Product Identifier
• Safe handling information
• MSDS Reference

MSDSs

MSDSs are integral to WHMIS and worker protection. For that reason, suppliers must provide MSDSs to customers on or before the time of sale of controlled substances. Employers must then make MSDSs available to workers in the workplace in such a way that they are easily accessible and where workers can study the information.

There are nine MSDS categories (under four sections) required by WHMIS. No category can be blank (for instance, not available or not applicable must be designated by something other than N/A). The nine categories are as follows:

Identification and Recognition

• Product Information
• Hazardous Ingredients
• Physical data

Risk Evaluation

• Fire and Explosion Hazard
• Reactivity data
• Toxicological data

Preventive Measures

• Preventive Measures

First Aid

• First Aid Measures
• Preparation Information

Suppliers, employers and workers all have specified responsibilities in the Hazardous Products Act.

Suppliers, those who sell or import controlled products, must label products or containers, and provide material safety data sheets (MSDSs) to their customers. Labels must clearly identify the contents of the hazardous material, and the MSDS must explain those hazards.

Employers are required to establish education and training programs for workers exposed to hazardous products in the workplace and make sure that controlled products are labeled and MSDSs are present and readily available to workers.

Workers are required to participate in the training programs and to work safely with hazardous materials. They should inform employers when labels or MSDSs are missing, out of date, or otherwise compromised.

8 Key Steps to implementing WHMIS in workplace

1. Assign Responsibility – One Person Should be Designated as the Hazardous Materials Coordinator
2. Inventory All Hazardous Products – Determine if the Products you have are Controlled or not and what Quantities they are Present
3. Ensure Labeling and MSDS Requirements are Fulfilled
4. Determine Hazards of Controlled Products
5. Establish Workplace Controls
6. Establish Emergency Procedures
7. Provide Worker Education and Training
8. Review and Upgrade

Safety professionals in Canada should be keeping an eye on GHS implementation. GHS stands for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling and is a global approach to classifying hazardous chemicals and communicating their hazards via labels and safety data sheets. It was developed by the United Nations and to date over 65 countries have either adopted, or are in the process of adopting, GHS.

Health Canada is moving to adopt GHS in the near future, a move that would significantly alter WHMIS. Under GHS, WHMIS would remain the law of the land; however, it would absorb elements of GHS to make it more compatible with the hazard communication standards of other countries.

Proposed legislative changes to WHMIS are expected in Canada sometime in 2011, with a potential law in place for 2012. Whenever GHS is enacted, the actual implementation is likely to take several years. Major changes to WHMIS Include under GHS include:

• New Chemical Classifications
• New Label Elements
• New Hazard Symbols (Called Pictograms)
• New MSDSs with 16 Part Format in standardized order
• MSDS Name Change to Safety Data Sheets or SDSs

You can learn more about WHMIS and GHS by visiting the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Web page on GHS.