Safety Office

WHMIS Information

Introduction

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a national system designed to ensure that all employers obtain the information that they need and inform and train their employees properly about hazardous materials used in the workplace. WHMIS falls under the worker's "right to know" (One of the four rights of workers) more about safety and health hazards of materials used in the workplace. WHMIS only applies to products that meet certain criteria, referred to as controlled products.

WHMIS comprises three major elements:

1. Labels

2. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)

3. Worker Education

WHMIS labels provide the essential information that a person needs in order to handle a particular product safely. MSDSs provide basic technical information about a product's physical characteristics and its hazardous properties. The Worker Education element ensures that workers are able to apply the information to protect worker health and safety.