If you have hazardous materials in your workplace, you may have noticed changes to how they are labelled and documented. Have you seen new pictograms indicating hazard classes that didn\u2019t previously exist? Or have you received a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) rather than a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)? From which supplier or distributor do you still need SDSs? If you have hazardous materials in your workplace, they must conform to the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015 legislation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The WHMIS 2015 labelling and documentation are part of the move to align Canada\u2019s legislation with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS<\/a>). The changes started with updates to federal WHMIS legislation, specifically the Hazardous Products Act<\/a><\/em> and the new Hazardous Products Regulations. Provincial and territorial legislative updates are based on the model set out in the federal legislation. This is to ensure uniformity between jurisdictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What’s New With WHMIS: Our Bulletin on the Latest Changes.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As Canada transitions from WHMIS 1988 to WHMIS 2015, many employers are uncertain about the changes they need to make. It may be reassuring to know that the changes primarily relate to the classification and labelling of hazardous materials. To ease the burden of the transition for employers, the Canadian government has introduced a transition period during which employers using hazardous materials have some control over the switch. The transition period is broken into three phases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must first comply with the new regulations. Then, employers with hazardous materials in their workplaces will comply later. The final phase of the transition period ends on November 30, 2018. That means by December 1, 2018, all businesses with hazardous materials in their workplaces must comply with WHMIS 2015. There may be a period during which your employees use products with old labels and others with new ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter the workplace, every employer must ensure that if there are any changes to the labelling of a hazardous material, they notify their employees and provide them with appropriate workplace training<\/a> before the hazardous material can be used. With all the changes to WHMIS 2015, it can seem daunting to meet legislative requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWHMIS has changed. For the latest details on changes and the latest requirements, see below. <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Get comprehensive WHMIS information by downloading:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Or check out the webinar replay and blog posts from our health and safety consultants below<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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WHMIS 1988 to WHMIS 2015: What’s changed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
WHMIS 2025 industry and sector specifics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
WHMIS 2015 in the workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Discover why thousands of Canadian business owners trust our innovative HR and workplace safety solutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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