The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

Previously in Canada, legislation known as the Workplace Hazardous Information System (WHMIS) came into effect on October 31, 1988. WHMIS has had a profound impact on Canadian workplaces. WHMIS set into motion the production and distribution of massive quantities of highly technical information. WHMIS currently includes requirements from the GHS and is now referred to as WHMIS 2015. WHMIS 2015 involved a multi-year transition plan in order to provide time for suppliers and workplaces to adjust to new requirements. By June 1, 2018, all suppliers were to be in compliance with WHMIS 2015.

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is one of the most important legislative and regulatory works ever produced. It is intended for global use. The goal of the GHS is to ensure safe use of hazardous chemical products in workplaces and by consumers. The GHS intends to achieve this goal by ensuring uniform requirements across participating countries for making hazard information available to employers and employees and to consumers.

The GHS Training Program and WHMIS 2015 enable workers to demonstrate understanding of information contained in Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and labels. An added bonus is that this program is completely self-contained. It even contains a template for printing wallet cards. An employer can do the training in-house without future expense.

The GHS Training Program and WHMIS 2015 includes the Reference Manual (shown on the left) a Worker Handbook, and a PowerPoint™ presentation. All of these are in PDF format for downloading with some restrictions. See Licence Agreement below.

The Reference Manual explains requirements for training and education, and provides a comprehensive strategy for implementing and complying with them. An important component of this strategy is the training itself, since this involves issues of illiteracy, and differences in age, gender, education, and cultural background. Included are over 130 answered questions that focus on practical aspects of WHMIS 2015. These include, for example, strategies for communicating hazard information about highly emotional subjects such as cancer and birth defects and reproductive effects, and useful information about how to use legal obligations to obtain information from manufacturers, importers, and suppliers. The Reference Manual also includes information about hazardous consumer products and the ramifications of and strategies for using them in the workplace.

The Worker Handbook (shown on the left) contains more than 100 diagrams that illustrate in simple but technically correct terms the concepts in SDSs and WHMIS 2015 labels. The Worker Handbook is suitable for use in classroom sessions guided by an instructor as well as self-study. Also included are common questions and answers about WHMIS 2015, information found in the SDS and label, and information about pictograms and labelling required on hazardous consumer products. Lastly, the Worker Handbook contains two tests and an exercise for checking mastery of the information. Answers are provided.