Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Keeping Your Team Safe Around Hazardous Materials

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.

WHMIS Program Responsibilities

Under WHMIS, suppliers, employers, and workers all have important responsibilities to help prevent harm from hazardous materials. These responsibilities include:

Suppliers:

• Classify hazardous products according to WHMIS regulations
• Prepare and provide appropriate labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
• Ensure containers of hazardous products are properly labeled

Employers:

• Ensure all hazardous products in the workplace are labeled correctly
• Provide access to up-to-date SDSs for all hazardous products
• Create and apply workplace labels when needed
• Educate and train workers on WHMIS and site-specific safe work procedures

Workers:

• Participate in WHMIS training and follow safe work procedures
• Use labels and SDSs to understand product risks and controls
• Report missing or unreadable labels and unsafe conditions to their supervisor

WHMIS Training

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.

What About Exemptions?

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.

More Information and Resources

Customizable Templates

• Ski Safety Talk: WHMIS (go2HR)
• WHMIS Overview Toolbox Meeting (WorkSafeBC)
• WHMIS Toolbox Meetings – Search (WorkSafeBC)

Additional Information

• WHMIS (WorkSafeBC)
• WHMIS Handbook (WorkSafeBC)
• WHMIS Pictograms Infographic (CCOHS)
• WHMIS for Employers Video (WorkSafeBC)
• WHMIS for Workers Video (WorkSafeBC)
• OHS Regulation Part 5: Chemical Agents and Biological Agents

Online Training

• WHMIS Training (go2HR)

Need Help?

We’re here to support you at any stage of the process. Contact us for guidance, templates, or one-on-one support tailored to your business.