WHMIS became law through a combination of federal,
provincial and territorial legislation that became effective
October 31, providing information on the safe use of
hazardous materials used in Canadian workplaces.
By Devin and Brady
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Hazard identification
Product classification
Labeling
Material safety data sheet
Worker training and education
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It was created in response to the Canadian
workers right to know about the safety and
health hazards
Exposure to hazardous materials can cause or
contribute to many serious health effects
such as effects on the nervous system, kidney
or lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns and
rashes.
Some hazardous materials are safety hazards
and can cause fires or explosions.
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WHMIS was developed by a tripartite steering
committee with representatives from
government, industry and labor to ensure
everyone's best interests were considered.
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employers and workers all have specified
responsibilities in the Hazardous Products
Suppliers: Canadian suppliers are those who
sell or import products. When this product is
considered a "controlled product" according
to the WHMIS legislation.
Employers: Employers are required to
establish education and training programs for
workers exposed to hazardous products in
the workplace.
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products, materials, and substances that are
regulated by WHMIS legislation are known as
controlled products.
All controlled products fall into one of the six
WHMIS classes.
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WHMIS is enforces by the labour branch of
Human Resources Development Canada for
federal workplaces and by the provincial or
territorial agencies responsible for
occupational health and safety for most other
workplaces.
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Yes. WHMIS first became law in 1988 through
a series of complementary federal, provincial
and territorial legislation and regulations.
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The Hazardous Products Regulations were
published in Canada Gazette, Part II on
February 11, 2015. Both the amended
Hazardous Products Act and new regulations
are currently in force. "In force" means that
suppliers may begin to use and follow the
new requirements for labels and SDSs for
hazardous products sold, distributed, or
imported into Canada.
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The exclusions under WHMIS 2015 are:
Explosives as defined in the Explosives Act.
Cosmetic, device, drug or food as defined in
the Food and Drugs Act.
Pest control products as defined in the Pest
Control Products Act.
Consumer products as defined in the Canada
Consumer Product Safety Act.
Wood or products made of wood.
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Nuclear substances within the meaning of the
Nuclear Safety and Control Act, that are
radioactive.
Hazardous waste being a hazardous product
that is sold for recycling or recovery and is
intended for disposal.
Tobacco and tobacco products as defined in
the Tobacco Act.
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Consumer products are those products that can
be purchased in a store and are generally
intended to be used in the home. They often
include cleaning products, adhesives, or
lubricants. These products are labelled according
to other legislation.
A comprehensive chemical safety program would
include both hazardous products as regulated by
WHMIS, and any other products that a worker
may be exposed to (which includes consumer
products). Workers should still receive education
and training for safe use of these products.
Compressed gas
Compressed
gas
A compressed gas is a material which is a gas at normal room
temperature (20 C) and pressure but is packaged as a
pressured gas, dissolved gas or gas liquified by compression
or refrigeration.
The hazard from these materials, aside from their chemical
nature, arises from sudden loss of integrity of the container.
A compressed gas cylinder is usually quite heavy and when
ruptured can become a projectile with the potential to cause
significant damage.
Acetylene and oxygen are examples of compressed gases.
FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL
Flammable and combustible
gases
Flammable or combustible materials will ignite and continue to
burn if exposed to a flame or source of ignition.
Materials are classified as a flammable gas, flammable aerosol,
flammable liquid, combustible liquid, flammable solid, or reactive
flammable material. Methane, acetone, aniline, and lithium
hydride are examples of flammable materials.
oxidizing
Oxidizing
An oxidizing material may or may not burn itself, but
will release oxygen or another oxidizing substance, and
thereby causes or contributes to the combustion of
another material.
Ozone, chlorine, and nitrogen dioxide are oxidizing
materials. These chemicals wil support a fire and are
highly reactive.
POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL
POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS
MATERIAL
A pure substance or mixture that may be any one of
the following: a carcinogen, teratogen, reproductive
toxin, respiratory tract sensitizer, irritant or chronic
toxic hazard.
Examples: Asbestos causes cancer, ammonia is an
irritant.
biohazard
Biohazard
This classification includes any organisms and the
toxins produced by these organisms that have
been shown to cause disease or are believed to
cause disease in either humans or animals. For
example, a blood sample containing the Hepatitis
B virus is a biohazardous infectious material. It
may cause hepatitis in persons exposed to it.
CORROSIVE MATERIAL
Corrosive Materials
Corrosive materials can attack (corrode) metals or cause
permanent damage to human tissues such as the skin and eyes
on contact. Burning, scarring, and blindness may result from
skin or eye contact.
Corrosive materials may also cause metal containers or
structural materials to become weak and eventually to leak or
collapse.
Ammonia, fluorine, and hydrochloric acid are examples of
corrosive substances.
DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE MATERIAL
Reactive material
Dangerously reactive materials may undergo
vigorous polymerization, decomposition or
condensation. They may react violently under
conditions of shock or an increase in pressure
or temperature. They may also react
vigorously with water to release a toxic gas.
Ozone, hydrazine, and benzoyl peroxide are
examples of dangerously reactive materials.