WHMIS Canada: An Employer’s Guide to Compliance

Employers have a legal responsibility to keep their employees safe from harm in the workplace. Some employers must take extra precaution if the business uses, sells, or handles hazardous products or materials. Canada’s effort to heighten education about hazardous products and enforce protection of employees in the workplace led to the creation of WHMIS.    

What does WHMIS stand for? 

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada’s hazard communication standard for chemical use and exposure in the workplace. The standard includes hazard classification, worker education programs, cautionary container labelling, and the provision of safety data sheets (SDSs).  

WHMIS is implemented on the federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) level, which makes it a national system of hazard communication for all workers in Canada. The policy also helps to ensure employer compliance regarding the sale, importation, handling, and storage of hazardous materials in Canada.  

Is WHMIS training mandatory? 

WHMIS training is legally required for workers who will be exposed or likely to handle, store, use, clean, and dispose of hazardous products. This includes: 

• Workers who may be exposed to hazardous products during their daily work 
• Supervisors or managers of workers who may be exposed 
• Emergency response workers 

WHMIS training and education covers information on: 

• The difference between the supplier label and workplace label and what the information on each means 
• Detailed information on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) 
• Safety procedures on the usage, handling, and disposal of hazardous products 
• Procedures required when the hazardous product isn’t easily accessible, for instance, in a pipe, piping system, vessel, or tank car 
• Procedures to follow if hazardous products may be in the air and workers may be exposed 
• Emergency procedures that must be followed if necessary  

What are employer duties regarding WHMIS? 

Employers are required by Canadian jurisdictions to develop, implement, and maintain a WHMIS education and training program. All workers who are at risk for exposure to hazardous products must receive product-specific training.  

It is the responsibility of the employer to provide all necessary information possible from the supplier on the hazardous products. Training programs must be reviewed for updates and changes at least annually. This review should include refresher training and take place every time:  

• There have been changes in the working conditions, process, or hazard information 
• New products have been introduced or changed  
• New hazard information has become available 
• New information on safety, usage, handling, storage or disposal becomes available 

Employers must also consult with their health and safety representative or committee when developing, implementing, or reviewing WHMIS education and training programs.  

Non-compliance with the law can lead to several consequences not limited to:  

• Warning letters for non-compliant parties 
• Seizure, detention or removal, and disposal of hazardous products in the workplace 
• Recommending refusal of imports of hazardous products  
• Reputation loss 
• Costly fines and jail time 
• Operational shut down 

What is a WHMIS certificate? 

A WHMIS certificate is a document that is issued by a training company to show proof of WHMIS training completion. While it is not a legal requirement for employers to have a WHMIS certificate, it is helpful in the event of an inspection since most employees in Canada are required to take WHMIS training.  

Does the WHMIS certificate expire? 

There is no expiry date for the WHMIS certificate, however, training must be completed annually for employers to remain compliant. It is in the employer’s best interest to become WHMIS certified to avoid fines and other damaging repercussions to their business. 

Need help becoming WHMIS certified?  

Peninsula’s experts are here to help you remain compliant and prepare for workplace inspections. Our qualified professionals can also help you to develop relevant health and safety policies, and assist you with any health and safety advice  you may need. To learn more about how our services can benefit your business, call us today at 1 (833) 247-3652.