Welcome to Safety and Health Week! All week long, Occupational Health and Safety Services will be posting health and safety information in the Communiqué. Be sure to keep an eye on these posts, as there will be a chance to win some prizes at the end of the week.
There are many kinds of hazardous materials at Humber: chemicals, cleaners, aerosols, compressed gases, paints, welding/soldering consumables, adhesives, cements, art supplies, lubricants, and disinfectants. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) gives you and your supervisor the information you need to understand the hazards and stay safe. Here’s how it works at Humber.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
WHMIS is a system to give employers and workers information about hazardous materials used in the workplace. WHMIS has been the law in Canada since 1988. Regulatory changes were introduced in 2015 that align the Canadian system with the United Nations standard, the “Globally Harmonized System”.
Training
All employees who work with hazardous materials must take WHMIS 2015 Training. Learn all about the WHMIS system and how it works here at Humber. To register for the WHMIS online course, please contact healthandsafety@humber.ca.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Humber uses an online system, MSDSonline for organizing and distributing safety data sheets for all our hazardous materials. Click on the link above to learn how to access the system and find safety data sheets, as well as find a list of Local SDS Coordinators, who are responsible for ensuring employees working in their area have access to the SDS that they need.
Labels
All hazardous materials should be labelled with one of the following:
- A WHMIS supplier label.
- A WHMIS workplace label.
- A consumer product label.
- Pesticide, drug or other specialty label.
Before you handle a product, read the label and make sure you understand the hazards. If you need more information, talk to your supervisor and be sure to read the SDS. Never use an unlabeled product.
