Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

WHMIS was designed to ensure the safety of employers and employees while at the workplace. In particular, the system was designed to keep workers and employers informed of the dangers and hazards associated with the chemicals and substances that they may come into contact.

This course will discuss Legislation, Acts and Regulations applicable to WHMIS including:

- Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/ 86-304), Part X, Hazardous Substances
 http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showdoc/cr/SOR-86-304

- Hazardous Products Act (HPA)
 http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/H-3/index.html

- Controlled Products Regulations
 http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/H-3/SOR-88-66/index.html

- Hazardous Materials Information Review Act
 http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/H-2.7/index.html

WHMIS is a national program and the basic requirements are the same across Canada. However, individual provinces and territories may have also introduced minor changes while integrating WHMIS with their occupational health and safety regulations.

WHMIS training is legally required for all employees who are exposed or likely to be exposed to a hazardous material or controlled product at the workplace.
 
The onus is on the employer to ensure that his or her staff is properly trained. The responsibility to ensure workers are trained and the manner in which training is conducted rests with the employer.  OCOT WHMIS courses are one method of training and, in most cases, additional site-specific training is required. 

Every company must review their WHMIS program at least annually or more frequently if required by a change in work conditions or available hazard information. Reviewing your program ensures that your employees are still adequately trained and knowledgeable.
To determine if your employees are adequately trained, they should be able to properly answer the following four questions:
1) Where can I get hazard information?
2) What are the hazards of the controlled product?
3) How am I protected from those hazards?
4) What do I do in case of an emergency?
If you find that your employees are not sufficiently trained, they should be retrained.

WHMIS training must include both general and site-specific training. General training covers such things as the regulations, labels, MSDSs, controlled products, symbols etc. Site-specific training covers things like how to work safely with the controlled products used in your workplace, where you keep the personal protective equipment and MSDSs and training for specific work procedures.

Attendees will receive training on the following:
Module 1: Introduction
Module 2: Legislative Requirements
Module 3: Occupational Health
Module 4: Classification and Symbols
Module 5: Consumer Products and TDG
Module 6: Labelling
Module 7: MSDS’s and explanation of terminology
Module 8: Information and training requirements
Module 9: Controlling Hazards
Module 10: WHMIS in Laboratories