A good chemical management program will require implementation of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). The WHMIS requirements in Ontario are identified in Regulation 860 made under the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA).

A WHMIS program consists of three basic elements: supplier & workplace labels, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and employee training.

1) Labels are required on containers of WHMIS controlled products. Suppliers must attach a Class Label and a Supplier Label to any WHMIS controlled product. If a chemical is poured off into an unlabelled container, the employee must affix a workplace label to the container. A workplace label has to include the name of the chemical, a reference to the MSDS and Safe Handling information specific for the chemical.

2) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are required in a workplace for each WHMIS-controlled product. The employer is responsible to ensure they are available to employees and were reviewed by the supplier within the last three years.

3) WHMIS training is required for each employee within the FHS. The FHS Safety Office offers in class WHMIS training for the Laboratory and Clinical workplaces. Office WHMIS can be taken through an on-line training method.

NOTE: Laboratory and Clinical WHMIS training in FHSc requires an annual update in order for your training to remain current.

The Ministry of Labour administers the WHMIS Regulation in Ontario and their web site offers a Guide to the WHMIS Legislation.