Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
What is WHMIS?
It is a Canada wide system where suppliers, employers and employees share responsibilities in order to protect the health and safety of Canadian workers. WHMIS ensures the safety of industries using hazardous materials by supplying information through labels and material safety data sheets on hazardous materials used in the workplace.
WHMIS is part of the Hazardous Products Act, the Controlled Products Regulations and Canada Labour Code. In Quebec all WHMIS requirements can be found in the Information on Controlled Products Regulation (CPR). National and provincial laws require the employer to give general WHMIS training to all employees who could be exposed to hazardous products.
Who must be trained?
All Canadian workers (shop workers, welders, restaurant personnel, janitorial staff etc.) who could be exposed (directly or indirectly) to hazardous materials (solvents, aerosols, acids, cleaning agents etc.) must be trained.