WHMIS is a comprehensive system for providing health and safety information on hazardous products intended for use, handling or storage in Canadian workplaces. The main components of this system are hazard identification and product classification, labelling, safety data sheets and worker training program, with duties assigned to the supplier, the employer and the workers.

CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS

WHMIS 2015 applies to two major groups of hazards which includes classes that have specific hazardous

properties.

• Physical hazards group: based on the physical or chemical properties of the product such as flammability,

reactivity, or corrosivity.

• Health hazards group: based on the ability of the product to cause a health effect such as eye irritation,

respiratory sensitization or carcinogenicity.

There are 31 hazard classes divided into category and subcategory

that group together products with similar properties.

The hazardous products classification uses pictograms that are showed

in a red square set on one of its points, except the one for biohazardous

infectious material.

• Classify hazardous products

• Label products or containers

• Prepare safety data sheet (SDS)

• Update labels and SDS

Supplier

• Ensure that hazardous products are properly labelled

• Provide access to SDS

• Provide training programs for workers

• Ensure appropriate control measures are in place to protect workers

Employer

• Participate in WHMIS information and training program

• Take necessary steps to protect themselves and their co-workers

• Participate in identifying and controlling hazards

• Use the proper personal protective equipment

Workers

WHMIS 2015 Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

THE IDEA BEHIND

WHMIS

IS THE RIGHT TO KNOW

WHMIS 2015 hazard pictograms and classes

PICTOGRAMS HAZARD CLASSES

• Gas under pressure

• Flammable gases

• Flammable aerosols

• Flammable liquids

• Flammable solids

• Pyrophoric liquids, solids and gases

• Self-heating substances and mixtures

• Self-reactive substances and mixtures

• Organic peroxides

• Substances and mixtures which, in

contact with water, emit flammable gases

• Oxidizing gases

• Oxidizing liquids

• Oxidizing solids

• Acute toxicity: oral, dermal, by inhalation

• Skin sensitization

• Acute toxicity

• Eye, skin or respiratory irritation

• Specific target organ systemic toxicity – single exposure

• Respiratory or skin sensitization

• Carcinogenicity

• Germ cell mutagenicity

• Reproductive toxicity

• Skin corrosion

• Serious eye damage or irritation

• Corrosive to metals

• Self-reactive substances and mixtures

• Organic peroxides

• Aquatic toxicity: not required in Canada but may be used

• Infectious material, such as bacterias and viruses

LABELS

Labels are the first alert to the user about the major hazards associated with a product. They outline the basic

precautions or safety steps that should be taken.

Labels must be strong enough to remain on the container under normal conditions of transport, storage and use,

and must be distinct from other information appearing on the container.

S Supplier label

The supplier label must be affixed on

any container of hazardous products

by the manufacturer, the distributor or

the importer before shipping. It must

be sustainable, durable and readable.

In Canada, the supplier label must be

bilingual (as one label) or available as

two labels (one in French, one in

English).

The information on the product label

must be in accordance with the

product SDS and should be updated

within 180 days of the supplier being

aware of new information.

Workplace label

The employer has the obligation to

produce and affix a workplace label

for any hazardous product manu-

factured and used in the workplace,

transferred from its original container

or if the supplier label is unreadable

or missing.

In the province of Québec, the

workplace label must be in French

but may include the translation into

one or several other languages as

needed.

MANDATORY INFORMATION

MANDATORY INFORMATION

Optional

SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)

The safety data sheet is a summary document usually produced by the manufacturer or the supplier that provides

informations to identify:

• what are the hazards of the product,

• how to use the product safely,

• what to expect if the recommendations are not followed,

• how to recognize symptoms of exposure,

• and what to do if emergencies occur.

In Canada, the SDSs must be available in the two official languages in one single document. They must be kept in

the workplace by the employer, in a place known to the workers. In addition, they must be easily and quickly

available to those who are likely to be exposed to hazardous products.

A safety data sheet contains 16 categories of information which must be presented in a standardized order. The

headings are also standardized and should appear on the document even if no information is available.

1. IDENTIFICATION

2. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

3. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

4. FIRST-AID MEASURES

5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION *

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS *

14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION *

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION *

16. OTHER INFORMATION

* Sections 12 to 15 require the heading to be present, but under Canadian regulations, the supplier has the option to not provide information in these sections.

TRAINING PROGRAM

There are two components to an hazardous products training program which is an obligation of the employer.

• The general training consists of presenting the key elements of WHMIS and the supplier and employer

duties regarding labels and safety data sheet.

• The specific training consists of introducing the workers to information about the risks inherent to the

dangerous products they will used or to which they will be exposed in the workplace, and to specific control

measures related to the use of those products.

The employer must have a way to evaluate the knowledge and the workers’ skills, and should provide periodic

training refreshers and a yearly update of the program.

www.preventex.qc.ca

ISBN : 2-920697-27-7 (Printed version) 2-920697-28-5 (PDF version) 2018-01

Sources: CCHOS

CNESST