THE EMPLOYERS' EDGE
Changes to WHMIS Requirements on the Horizon?
Currently our Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) sets out the requirements for protecting workers from potentially hazardous substances. The Globally Harmonized System (GHS), which is a system created by the UN and adopted by the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and Brazil will make changes eventually to our WHMIS system.
It was expected that Canada would table amendments to the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) in early 2013. Once amendments are tabled, and consultation completed the changes will affect the federal and provincial OHS laws. It is expected that changes to the HPA and its regulations will be completed in early 2014, amendments to the OHSA by June 2015 and an update to the WHMIS regulations in 2016.
Should you wait until the changes are made to train workers on this new information? It depends. If you are a company that imports hazardous products from a country that has already implemented GHS compliant labels, your workers may need to be trained to recognize the labels now.
CCPartners will follow the changes and implementation of the GHS and provide further updates. For any OHSA inquiry please contact one of our lawyers.
Please Note: This blog has been prepared as an informational service for our clients and other interested parties. It is not intended to constitute legal advice, a complete statement of the law or opinion on any subject. Although we endeavour to ensure the accuracy of the content, no one should act upon the information provided without a thorough examination of the law after the facts of a specific situation are fully considered.