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WHMIS 2015 Key Elements
WHMIS 2015 Key Elements
Background Information
Information from Health Canada website:
On February 11, 2015, the Government of Canada modified the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 1988) to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) for workplace chemicals. This modified WHMIS is referred to as WHMIS 2015.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 2015)
WHMIS is a hazard communication system designed to ensure safety of workers.
WHMIS aims to provide persons who work with hazardous materials all necessary information to handle, store, and dispose of these materials safely.
Three Key Elements of WHMIS 2015
WHMIS has three key elements (taken from Work Safe BC):
WHMIS Labels - Labels on hazardous products alert workers to the type of products, their hazards, and precautions to be taken. Under WHMIS 2015, these labels must display some elements in a certain order. The wording of the hazards has been standardized.
Safety Data Sheets or SDS (formerly called Material Safety Data Sheets) - SDS are technical bulletins that provide detailed hazard and precautionary information. Under WHMIS 2015, these SDS use a 16-section format and the information required in each section has been standardized.
WHMIS Education and Training Programs - Employers provide education and training for workers so that they can work safely with and near hazardous products. Workers need to know how WHMIS works, the dangers of the hazardous products in their workplaces, and the safe work procedures they must follow.
Workplace WHMIS Hazard Groups
The way that hazardous products are classified has changed in WHMIS 2015. Hazardous products are now divided into two Hazard Groups.
Physical hazards - based on the physical or chemical properties of the product, such as being flammable or corrosive.
Health hazards - based on the ability of the product to cause a health effect, such as eye irritation, breathing difficulties or cancer (carcinogenicity).
The two hazard groups are further classified into hazard classes. Hazard classes are a way of grouping together products that have similar properties.
Examples for each hazard class are listed in the dropdowns below.
Physical Hazards
Physical Hazards
Examples of Physical Hazards:
Flammable gases, aerosols, liquids and solids
Gases under pressure
Self-reactive substances and mixtures
Corrosive to metals
Physical hazards not otherwise classified
Health Hazards
Health Hazards
Examples of Health Hazards:
Acute toxicity
Skin corrosion/irritation
Serious eye damage/eye irritation
Respiratory or skin sensitization
Health hazards not otherwise classified
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