RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER WHMIS

Let’s begin to learn about WHMIS

The purpose of WHMIS Regulations is to protect all workers who could potentially be exposed to hazardous products during work.
The supplier, the employer and the worker share responsibility in achieving the key outcome of a safe workplace, free from safety or health hazards. This section will also discuss exemptions not regulated by WHMIS. The responsibility of achieving the key outcome of a safe workplace is shared by the supplier, the employer and the worker and begin at the Supplier.

EXEMPTIONS

  • Although WHMIS applies to all workplaces where hazardous products are used, there are many products which are not regulated under the Hazardous Products Act and Regulations.  In most cases, these products must conform to other, more strict regulations.
    • For example, radioactive material is not regulated by WHMIS, but it must conform to the requirements of the Atomic Energies Act.
  • Products exempt from WHMIS are not exempt from the requirement of training or labelling. Maintaining the workers’ Right to Know remains constant.
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Exempt Product List

The following products are exempt from WHMIS:

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

In February 2015, Canada amended the Hazardous Products Act and published the Hazardous Products Regulations to align WHMIS with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The goal of GHS is to have:

  1. a common set of rules for classifying hazardous products, common rules for labels, and
  2. a standard format for Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) that is adopted around the world.

The combined system is identified as WHMIS 2015.

The GHS Divisions of Hazardous Materials

The GHS system segregates hazardous materials into the following divisions:

  1. Physical Hazards
  2. Health Hazards
  3. Environmental Hazards

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Explosives, as defined in the Explosives Act

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Cosmetics, drugs or food
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Radioactive material
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Pesticides
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Consumer products (for example, cleaners)
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Wood or wood products
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Tobacco or tobacco products
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Manufactured articles
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Hazardous material in transit, and
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Hazardous waste

    PICTOGRAMS

    EXPLODING BOMB

    The exploding bomb is used to indicate explosion or reactivity hazards and is placed on the labels of self reactive substances and mixtures, and on labels of organic peroxide.

    Short and Sweet Headlines are Best!

    FLAME

    This pictogram is used for indicating flammable gases, aerosols, liquids and solids; pyrophoric liquids, gases and solids; self-heating substances and mixtures; substances and mixtures that produce flammable gases when in contact with water; organic peroxides; and self-reactive substances and mixtures.

    Short and Sweet Headlines are Best!

    FLAME OVER CIRCLE

    This pictogram is used to indicate oxidizing gases, liquids and solids.

    Short and Sweet Headlines are Best!

    CORROSIVE

    The corrosive pictogram indicates a substance that can damage metals and irritate the skin and eyes. That is why this category is classified as a physical danger, but also as a threat to health.

    Short and Sweet Headlines are Best!

    GAS CYLINDER

    This pictogram is used to indicate the hazard of gases under pressure such as dissolved gas, liquefied gas, compressed gas and refrigerated gas.