It's a Canada-wide system to provide employers and workers with information about the hazardous materials they work with on the job, so as to protect their heath and safety.
WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. It is a Canada wide system developed to make it easy for workers to find out about materials in their workplace that could injure them or be bad for you health.
Why is it needed?
In the past few years, hundreds of new materials and chemicals have been developed that make work easier or products better. Many of these products or substances can be hazardous to people when handled without care. The problems are:
- How do we know which ones are hazardous?
- How can we protect ourselves?
WHMIS is a system that is based on a law that says everyone has the right to know both of these things. WHMIS helps everyone to obtain this knowledge in an easy way.
- Your Responsibility
Suppliers and employers must identify the hazards and make sure you are aware of them. Each worker must use the system to protect against harm by:
- Recognizing labels
- Checking the hazards
- Following the recommended procedures
- Who Developed WHMIS?
WHMIS was developed by joint committees of employers, workers, labour organizations, and governments.
- WHMIS is Law
WHMIS was made law in Alberta on March 15, 1989, and requires suppliers. employers, and workers to use the system to identify and handle hazardous materials safely. People who do not follow the law on hazardous materials can be charged with an offence and, if convicted, may be fined and/or jailed.
- Hazardous Material
This is any substance which can cause illness, disease, or death to unprotected workers. Sometimes hazardous materials are also called hazardous products, controlled products, or dangerous goods.
- How Bad Are The Hazards?
The dangers of hazardous materials can come from explosions, fire, skin contact, breathing-in or ingesting them. How bad they are usually depend on one or more of these:
- How much pressure there is
- How easily the material burns or explodes
- How much of the material there is
- How toxic it is
- How it enters the body
- How concentrated it is
- How Can I Protect Myself?
Workers can protect themselves by:
- Watching carefully for hazard labels
- Reading the MSDS's to learn about proper handling and what precautions to take
- Handling all hazardous materials in the recommended way
- Telling your supervisor about any substandard conditions
- Paying close attention to any WHMIS or Dangerous Goods training or information provided by your employer or a materials supplier