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COPYRIGHT 2001 Chemical Institute of Canada
The state of WHMIS and the Future of Hazard Communication in Canada within a Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
Here today: On October 31, 1988, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Canada's hazard communication standard, came into effect. The key elements of the system are the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs), labelling of containers of hazardous materials and provision of worker education and training programs. WHMIS also includes a mechanism for ruling on claims for exemption from disclosure of confidential business information.
As labelling regulations for chemicals destined for the consumer market had long been established under the Hazardous Products Act (HPA), the HPA was identified as the most suitable legislation to implement a national information system for industrial chemicals. The Hazardous Products Act and the Controlled Products Regulations, now administered by Health Canada, require suppliers of hazardous materials to provide MSDSs and label products as conditions of sale and importation. Federal and provincial occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation requires employers to provide labels, MSDSs and worker education and training programs in the workplace.
The inspection program for the WHMIS requirements of the HPA is conducted by the OHS agencies in conjunction with the WHMIS employer requirements established by these 13 OHS agencies. Pursuant to subsection 21(1) of the HPA, the Minister of Health Canada designates individuals nominated...
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