July 31, 2017
WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) is Canada’s national communication standard for hazardous workplace materials. It ensures that workers have the knowledge they need to safely handle and work around products that could pose health or physical risks, like cleaning agents, fuel, chemicals, or compressed gases.
In BC, all employers must follow WHMIS requirements if their workplace uses, stores, or handles hazardous products, even if only occasionally. The system is designed to protect workers through clear labelling, easy-to-understand safety data sheets (SDS), and education on how to recognize and manage these risks.
Under WHMIS, suppliers, employers, and workers all have important responsibilities to help prevent harm from hazardous materials. These responsibilities include:
Suppliers:
Employers:
Workers:
All workers who may be exposed to hazardous materials must receive WHMIS training. This includes both general education (e.g., how to read labels and SDSs) and site-specific training (e.g., how your workplace handles a specific product).
Training must be refreshed when new hazards are introduced, procedures change, or at regular intervals. Always keep training records on file and up-to-date.
Some products are partially or fully exempt from WHMIS labelling and SDS requirements, such as consumer products used in normal household quantities or certain goods covered under other legislation (e.g., cosmetics, food, and pest control products).
That said, exempt products may still pose a risk. It’s the employer’s responsibility to make sure workers understand how to handle any workplace materials safely, whether they fall under WHMIS or not.
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