This is an introduction on how to use the LMS system

Upon completion of WHMIS TRAINING ONLINE, participants will be able to:
Understand the essential role WHMIS plays in protecting the health and safety of Canadian workers
Identify the WHMIS responsibilities of suppliers, employers, and workers
Know the workplace requirements related to the use of supplier labels and workplace labels, and how to locate and interpret the information found on these labels
Recognize the WHMIS pictograms and the types of hazards each represents
Recognize the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) as a source of comprehensive information about a hazardous chemical in the workplace and know how to locate various types of information when reading an SDS
Identify the WHMIS exemptions for suppliers and importers
Know general safe work practices that should be followed when working with hazardous products

WHMIS, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, stands as Canada's universal standard for workplace hazard communication. In French, it is referred to as the Système d'information sur les matières dangereuses utilisées au travail (SIMDUT).
This system is vital in safeguarding the well-being of workers by facilitating access to information about hazardous materials employed in the workplace, thereby promoting a safer and healthier work environment.

WHMIS has been in effect since 1988. In 2015, it was updated to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS was developed by the United Nations to help standardize hazard communications around the world. The 2015 changes aligned the hazard classification and communication standards of WHMIS with those of the United States and other Canadian trading partners.
The updated version became known as “WHMIS 2015” and the older version became known as “WHMIS 1988”.

A Brief History (Cont.)
2015 to 2018 was a transition period. During this time, it was accepted that workplaces might still have WHMIS 1988 materials on site. To ensure the safety of workers, WHMIS 2015 courses had to include information about both “new” (2015) and the “old” (1988) WHMIS elements.

The transition period ended on December 1, 2018. Today, all distributors, suppliers, and employers must be compliant with WHMIS 2015. Workplaces can no longer have WHMIS 1988 materials on site, so WHMIS courses no longer need to include information about WHMIS 1988 elements.

Note: There were no changes or updates to WHMIS itself in 2018. WHMIS 2015 remains the most current version.

Every worker who works with, or in proximity to, a hazardous product in the workplace must have Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training. This online course meets the employer’s requirement to provide general WHMIS training. In addition, employers must provide workplace-specific training and instruction for each of the hazardous products in the workplace.

• WHMIS is implemented through coordinated federal and provincial/territorial legislation. Federal legislation regulates suppliers of hazardous goods and sets out the requirements for hazard classification and communication. Requirements for employers are covered by the occupational health and safety legislation of the jurisdiction governing their workplace:
• Most workplaces (about 90%) follow the Occupational Health and Safety Act, or similar legislation, of their province or territory.
• Federally regulated workplaces (about 10%) must adhere to the federal Canada Labour Code.
• In every jurisdiction, occupational health and safety laws require employers to ensure that:
• Hazardous products are properly labelled,
• Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are made available to workers, and
• Workers receive the education necessary to ensure the safe storage, handling, use and disposal of each hazardous product.

The 3 Key Elements of WHMIS
After a hazardous product has been classified, health and safety information about the product must be communicated within the workplace through a 3-part system that includes:
1 product label
2 safety data sheet
3 Walker education program

WHMIS legislation requires that hazardous products in the workplace be properly labeled at all times. Labels are the worker’s first source of information about the hazards associated with a product and must outline the basic precautions to work safely with, or in proximity to, the product. The two main types of labels are:

• Supplier Labels
• Workplace Labels

The supplier is responsible for:

Labelling the hazardous products that they provide

Employers are responsible for:

Making sure hazardous products that come into the workplace have a supplier label

Preparing and applying a workplace label, when required.

NEVER use unlabeled material!

DO NOT assume that you know what the product is.

If a container is unlabeled or has a damaged label, report it to a supervisor. A workplace label should be created and attached to the product container before it is used.

A worker's responsibilities regarding WHMIS product labels include understanding and interpreting all label information, such as pictograms and hazard statements, reporting any damaged or missing labels to a supervisor, and never using a product without a proper label. Workers must also participate in WHMIS training, follow instructions on the label and corresponding Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and know how to access the SDS for the products they use. 

Every hazardous product received at a Canadian workplace must have a supplier label attached to it. Under WHMIS, it is the supplier’s responsibility to ensure that the supplier label is attached before the hazardous product is shipped.

Supplier labels include:

The Product Name

Pictogram(s)

Signal word

Hazard statements

Precautionary statements

Supplier information

The pictogram(s), signal word and hazard statements must be grouped together. Labels may also include supplemental information, such as a list of the hazardous ingredients in the product.

• WHMIS 2015 excludes: In accordance with the Hazardous Products Regulations, a label must be updated when the supplier becomes aware of any “significant new data”, which is described as:
• “New data regarding the hazard presented by a hazardous product that changes its classification in a category or subcategory of a hazard class, or result in its classification in another hazard class, or change the ways to protect against the hazard presented by the hazardous product.” Canada Gazette, Part II, Hazardous Products Regulations, Section 5.12 (1)
• Labels must be updated within 180 days of the supplier being aware of the new information. Customers who purchase the product within this 180-day period must be informed, in writing, about the changes, and the date they become available.

A workplace label is required:

• For hazardous products that are produced and used on site
• When the hazardous product is transferred from one container to another and is not used immediately
• When workers are unable to read English or French
• To replace supplier labels that have been lost or damaged during transport. (Effort should be made to replace the original label.)

A workplace label is not required when:

• The hazardous product is poured into a container and used immediately
• The hazardous product is poured into a container that remains “under the control of the person who decanted it”. For example, when the person who poured the product into another container will be the only person to use it and will be using all of it within one shift.

Workplace labels require:

• A product name (identical to the product identifier on the SDS),
• Information on the safe handling of the product (which may include pictograms or other supplier label information), and
• A reference to the SDS
• Workplace labels should be written in the language that is most common in the workplace.

• WHMIS 2015 arranges hazards into two major groups:
• Physical hazards
• Health hazards
• The GHS also includes an environmental hazards group. WHMIS 2015 did not adopt the environmental hazards group. However, you may see the environmental classes listed on labels and SDSs because including information about environmental hazards is allowed by WHMIS 2015.

• Within each group (physical and health) are hazard classes. Classes are a way of grouping together products that have similar properties. Some hazard classes may be divided into one or more categories and some may be further divided into sub-categories.
• Categories are assigned numbers and sub-categories are assigned letters, with category 1 (or sub-category A) being the most hazardous. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, in the Gases Under Pressure hazard class, the hazard categories are "Compressed gas", "Liquefied gas", "Refrigerated liquefied gas" and "Dissolved gas". These classes relate to the physical state of the gas when packaged and do not describe the degree of hazard.

How to Find The Hazard Class and Category of a Hazardous Product
The hazard class and category of a hazardous product will be provided in Section 2 (Hazard Identification) of the SDS. Each hazard class or category must use specific pictograms and other label elements to indicate the hazard that is present, and what precautionary measures must be taken. Use the information provided by the label and SDS to be informed and to know how to safely use, handle, store and dispose of the hazardous product

The following pictograms are associated with these hazard classes and categories.

Environmental toxins are not regulated under WHMIS 2015. However, you may still see the “dead tree/dead fish” pictogram on supplier labels or SDSs, especially for products imported from other countries. This symbol indicates aquatic toxicity.

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is one of the three key elements of WHMIS along with product labels and worker education. The main source of information about a hazardous product. To comply with WHMIS, there must be an SDS available for every hazardous product in the workplace.

The SDS has more information about the hazardous product than the supplier label and should be read by workers before they use the product for the first time. 

Safety Data Sheets are critical documents in occupational health and safety that provide comprehensive information about hazardous chemicals. Their primary roles are to communicate hazards, guide safe handling and storage, ensure emergency preparedness, and facilitate regulatory compliance. 

The SDS include 16 sections of information which appear in the same order on every SDS:

• Workers must be trained about WHMIS labels (supplier labels and workplace labels) and SDSs so that they understand how to effectively use these sources of hazard information. General WHMIS training applies to any workplace.

• The employer is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring an effective program of instruction on hazardous products. This program must include:
• General WHMIS training for employees on product labels and SDSs

While the employer is ultimately responsible for developing and delivering workplace health and safety training programs, these programs should be designed and delivered in consultation with the organization’s health and safety committee or representative.  Additionally, the employer must review the workplace WHMIS program at least once a year.  This review should be more frequent if workplace conditions change or new hazard information becomes available.  Every employee must receive appropriate WHMIS education and site-specific training, including updates and refresher courses when necessary due to changes in duties or legal requirements.

As a worker, you’re responsible for actively participating in all health and safety education and instruction provided by your employer. This includes general and workplace-specific WHMIS training on hazardous products you might work with or near during your workday.

When using a hazardous product:

1. Read the product label and SDS before use. You can just follow any additional education, instructions, or training provided by your employer.

2. If unsure about how to use or store the product, ask your supervisor.

3. Request a new label if the old one is not easily visible or readable.

Always check for a label before using the product. If it’s unlabeled or unreadable, ask your supervisor for help. Do not use the product until the label is replaced and you’ve read the instructions.