WHMIS addresses three important areas of workplace safety:
1. Labels – All hazardous or controlled products must carry labels that clearly identify the product and provide hazard information about it. The label must indicate whether a workplace MSDS (see below) is available in the workplace.
2. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) – An MSDS must be provided for every controlled product in your workplace. The MSDS provides much more detailed information than a label.
3. Worker education – Every employer is expected to develop and implement an up-to-date education program to enable workers to understand and use the information that is provided on the labels and MSDS. This program should be reviewed at least once a year, and whenever there is a change in conditions or new hazard information concerning any hazardous substances in the workplace. Employers must keep written records of employee education.
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An effective program for controlling hazardous substances includes the following elements:
• developing a written policy to show commitment and assign responsibility at every level
• identifying and evaluating all hazardous substances in the workplace
• labeling all hazardous substances and providing up-to-date MSDS for them
• implementing safe work procedures and appropriate administrative and engineering controls
• educating workers about labels, MSDS, safe handling, storage, disposal and emergency response
• identifying required personal protective equipment and educating workers in its care and use
• promoting the purchase of the safest substances possible
• identifying the qualified persons responsible for carrying out the program