WHMIS

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's national communication standard.

The WHMIS legislation provides that workers must be informed about the hazards in the workplace and receive appropriate training to enable them to work safely. To accomplish this, WHMIS requires all suppliers, i.e. manufacturers, importers, packagers and processors, to label and prepare material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for products they make, import, package, or process that meet the hazard criteria set out in the Controlled Products Regulations under the federal Hazardous Products Act. The buyers of these controlled products must make sure that these products are correctly labeled and that MSDSs are available. Employers must set up worker education programs that instruct workers about the contents and significance of labels and MSDSs and how to work safely with dangerous goods.