In 2015, the Government of Canada updated the rules for the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), a national system designed to give employers and workers information about hazardous products used in the workplace. WHMIS 2015 includes new definitions, new harmonized criteria for hazard classification, and new rules for supplier labels and safety data sheets (SDSs). Suppliers and employers importing hazardous products for use at their workplace and/or selling (including distributing) hazardous products are required to keep "specific purchasing and/or sales information" for six years after the end of the year to which they relate. Those who manufacture and sell hazardous products must keep "specific sales information".
Now, to increase WHMIS 2015 awareness, Health Canada is running a WHMIS 2015 compliance and enforcement initiative.
From July-September 2017, select employers and suppliers in federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions will receive a compliance promotion package, which contains information helpful to understanding the new WHMIS 2015 requirements. Some of these resources are listed below.
From October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 specially designated Hazardous Product Act (HPA) inspectors may visit your workplace to inspect and promote compliance. HPA inspectors may request a copy of your "specific purchasing information" and/or your "specific sales information," and up to five data sheets/labels for your hazardous products. HPA inspectors may not provide advance notice of the inspection.
If you have any questions, you can contact the CCOHS Safety Infoline or WHMIS_SIMDUT@hc-sc.gc.ca.
For WHMIS updates you can visit https://www.whmis.org/ .
Free WHMIS 2015 Training and Resources from CCOHS:
- WHMIS 2015: An Introduction e-course
- GHS Classification of Substances: An Introduction webinar
- GHS Classification of Mixtures: An Introduction webinar
- How to write a GHS Label webinar
- WHMIS 2015 – How Canada is Adopting the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) for Workplace Chemicals webinar
- WHMIS 2015 – General Information
- WHMIS 2015 Fact Sheets
- WHMIS 2015 Labels poster
- WHMIS 2015 Pictograms Kit, individual downloads
