WHMIS

What Is WHMIS?

WHMIS stands for the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. It is Canada's comprehensive system for managing hazardous materials in workplaces, mandated under both federal and provincial/territorial legislation. Since its 2015 alignment with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), WHMIS is often called "WHMIS 2015" or simply "GHS-WHMIS."

The Three Pillars of WHMIS

• Labels: Every hazardous product container must carry a supplier label (or a workplace label) with standardized pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and precautionary statements.
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Employers must maintain a 16-section SDS for each controlled product, covering hazard identification, first-aid measures, handling, storage and more.
• Worker Education & Training: Employees must receive training on how to read labels and SDS documents and understand the procedures for safe handling specific to their workplace.

WHMIS Pictograms

WHMIS 2015 uses the GHS-standardized diamond-shaped pictograms. Common examples include the flame (flammable), skull and crossbones (acute toxicity), exclamation mark (irritation/narcotic effects) and the health hazard silhouette (serious health hazards such as carcinogenicity).

Employer Responsibilities

• Ensure every controlled product has an up-to-date SDS (no older than three years).
• Provide proper labels on every container, including workplace labels when products are decanted.
• Train all workers who may be exposed to controlled products before they begin working with them.
• Keep SDS readily accessible during every work shift.

How Make Safety Easy Supports WHMIS Compliance

With Make Safety Easy, you can digitize your SDS library, track worker training completion in real time and generate compliance reports. Automated reminders flag SDS documents approaching the three-year review deadline, so nothing falls through the cracks.