On Feb. 11, 2015, the federal Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) legislation was amended to incorporate standards set by the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System for Classifying and Labelling Chemicals (GHS). In this presentation we will focus on the basics of what workers need to know and how you as an employer can prepare. This brief overview is not intended to constitute WHMIS training. After many years of discussion Canada has aligned WHMIS with the GHS. GHS is a communication standard for hazardous chemicals that has been brought forth by the United Nations. GHS has already been adopted around the world. WHMIS 2015 is intended to reduce confusion, ensure compliance and maintain the health and safety of workers both here and abroad. The new programme will be referred to as WHMIS 2015. The previous WHMIS will be referred to WHMIS 1988. We are currently in a transitional period that allows workplaces time to convert from WHMIS 1988 to WHMIS 2015. These changes will affect provincial WHMIS legislation and they will be updating to incorporate the WHMIS 2015 requirements. Workplaces will need to comply with federal and provincial laws and amend their WHMIS-related occupational health and safety regulations. WHMIS 2015 Checklist

WHMIS 2015 Changes “Controlled Products” will be called “Hazardous Products” MSDSs now SDSs with 16 standard sections Different hazard classes and more of them. Different classification criteria New supplier labels New pictograms Retraining needed for WHMIS 2015 when first SDS arrives at worksite. Summary of Changes with the new WHMIS 2015 “Controlled Products” will be called “Hazardous Products”. MSDSs now SDSs with 16 standard sections. Different hazard classes and more of them. Different classification criteria New supplier labels New pictograms Retraining needed for WHMIS 2015 when first SDS arrives at worksite.

End-User - How many SDSs do I have already? End-Users Can Find SDS Count Maybe now you are wondering if you have SDSs in your workplace? Did you know? In msdsBinders you can search for your SDS count by doing a general search of binders on the Find MSDS page. Any level of user can do this.

Checklist for Employers Continue with WHMIS 1988 compliance. Start education and training about WHMIS 2015. Check msdsBinders for your SDS inventory. You are receiving GHS-compliant labels and SDSs from suppliers in the USA. We have put together a checklist to help you get ready for the changes. 1. Workplaces should continue complying with WHMIS 1988 legislation. This includes training workers, providing labels and current MSDSs. 2. It may be beneficial to start some basic awareness education or training about the changes introduced by WHMIS 2015 sooner than later. 3. Check your SDS inventory in msdsBinders. Workplaces are already receiving imported hazardous products from suppliers in the USA with the new GHS-compliant labels and safety data sheets (SDSs). Although the use of the new SDS sheets is permitted, employers must ensure that workers are trained to understand the new labels, hazard pictograms and style of SDSs. 4. Workplaces should consider reviewing their inventory and minimize unnecessary chemicals in the workplace. msdsBinders can assist with many items on this checklist including training and help make the transition to WHMIS 2015 easier. Review overall chemical inventories and minimize unnecessary chemicals in the workplace.

Classification includes Physical Hazards and Health Hazards Hazard symbols called pictograms Employers should be aware that there are new hazard class names, for example, Class A – Compressed Gases will be known as Gases under Pressure There are new classification criteria and there are a few new hazard classes, for example, Aspiration Hazard. This means the hazards of products may be described differently, and some products that were not previously classified may now be classified as hazardous. WHMIS 2015 has physical hazards and health hazards. A hazardous product may be classified as both a physical hazard and a health hazard. The environmental hazard class have not been adopted by Canada’s WHMIS legislation but may be listed on SDSs as it is required for other countries. Pictograms are graphic images with a distinctive red border. Inside this border is a symbol that represents the potential hazard (e.g., fire, health hazard, corrosive, etc.). Together, the symbol and the border are referred to as a pictogram. Pictograms are assigned to specific hazard classes or categories. For every previous WHMIS symbol there is relevant WHMIS 2015 pictogram. Some categories now fall into more than one hazard class. Also of note the Biohazardous Infectious Materials hazard class (which is not a GHS health hazard class) has been retained in WHMIS 2015 in order to maintain worker protection.

Chemscape Can Help WHMIS 2015 with GHS is a WHMIS course authored by Chemscape under the guidance of an Industrial Hygienist who is certified with the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. Access to the course for users of the msdsBinders system is simple, just log in to register and start the course directly from the msdsBinders system. This course covers WHMIS basics and makes learners demonstrate how to find a SDS and answer the 5 fundamental questions about the product including - what are the hazards and how to work with it safely. Workers who successfully complete training are issued a certificate of completion stating they are trained in WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015. Contact us Toll Free at 1-855-720-6737 or by email sales@chemscape.com to learn more about WHMIS 2015 with GHS and getting your workers WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015 certified.