5.

Ensure that workers are informed and

trained
Workers must be informed about the
hazards associated with products that
they use. Newly hired workers must
receive complete WHMIS training
and show that they can apply their
training. The employer must review
the training each year. Committees and
representatives participate in the review.
An effective review includes:
evaluating procedures for the use,
storage, handling and disposal of
controlled products;
evaluating emergency procedures;
assessing workers and supervisors
knowledge of the hazardous
properties of products that they use;
questioning workers and supervisors
about hazard controls that are in
place, including personal protective
equipment and emergency response
procedures; and
ensuring everyone knows how to get
more information about hazardous
products.
See the Occupational Health and Safety
website for information about WHMIS
courses: www.lrws.gov.sk.ca
WorkSafe Saskatchewan in conjunction with
the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health
and Safety (CCOHS) offer an online course
on the general aspects of WHMIS. It can be
used in conjunction with work-site specifc
training. This low-cost course can be found at
www.worksafesask.ca.
WHMIS
Role of the
Occupational
Health Committee or
Representative
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY
Regina
1870 Albert Street
S4P 4W1
Inquiry: (306) 787-4496
Toll Free: 1-800-567-7233
Saskatoon
Eighth Floor, 122-3rd Avenue North
S7K 2H6
Inquiry: (306) 933-5052
Toll Free: 1-800-667-5023
www.worksafesask.ca
www.lrws.gov.sk.ca
January 2010
Employers are required to set up and
maintain a Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System (WHMIS).
However, an effective, ongoing WHMIS
program depends on the participation of all
workers. The role of the Occupational Health
Committee is to work with the employer to
set up and maintain the WHMIS program.
The committee also checks to ensure that
the employer meets all WHMIS and related
requirements.
At smaller (of fve to nine workers)
high hazard workplaces where a
Worker Occupational Health and Safety
Representative (representative) is required,
the representative assumes these roles.
Roles in Establishing a WHMIS
Program
The committee or representative works with
and helps the employer set up the program.
They check to see that the employer sets up a
system to:
keep the list of hazardous products up-
to-date;
prevent controlled products from being
received at the workplace without
adequate WHMIS labels and Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs);
ensure that MSDSs are readily available
to workers;
obtain hazard information on hazardous
products that are not controlled
products;
inform workers of the harmful effects of
all hazardous products;
develop a training program on WHMIS
and on safe work procedures;
receive, investigate and resolve workers
concerns regarding controlled products
and workers exposures to controlled
products as a result of an accumulation,
spill or leak; and
investigate all injuries, ill health
symptoms and dangerous occurrences
related to hazardous products.
Roles in Maintaining a WHMIS
Program
The committee or representative works
with and helps the employer maintain the
program. They check to see that the employer
maintains a system to:
1. Ensure all MSDSs are up-to-date
Preparation dates must be checked, as
all MSDSs must be less than 3 years old.
If a product with an MSDS is still in the
workplace, contact the supplier for an up-
to-date MSDS.
2. Examine MSDSs for trade secrecy
claims
WHMIS requires suppliers to disclose
the identity and concentration of all
hazardous ingredients of a controlled
product on the MSDS. This is the most
important part of WHMIS - the workers
right to know!
Some suppliers (mainly of imported
products) are reluctant to disclose
hazardous ingredients. This is
unacceptable. The Hazardous Ingredients
Section of each MSDS much be checked.
If you see any of these terms:
Trade Secret
Proprietary information
Confdential information
you must contact the supplier to obtain
an MSDS that discloses the identity of all
the hazardous ingredients for the product.
If a supplier is unwilling to disclose the
identity of a hazardous ingredient, do not
use the product until the information is
provided. Report the product and supplier
to Occupational Health and Safety.
A legitimate claim for exemption
from disclosure can be made to the
Hazardous Materials Information Review
Commission (HMIRC). In such cases,
a registry number and a date given by
the HMIRC will be listed on the MSDS.
Look for this information under the
Hazardous Ingredients section, adjacent
to the trade secret ingredient.
3. Ensure that all sections of each MSDS
are complete
MSDSs must be complete. Pay particular
attention to sections with hazard
information (fre, reactivity and toxicity)
and sections on preventive measures and
frst aid.
4. Examine labels and identifers
Are workplace labels and/or
placards being used when needed?
Are controlled products in piping
systems and vessels identifed?
Do imported products have
acceptable WHMIS supplier labels?
Are labels easy to read and
understand?
Are identifers easy to recognize and
understand?
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY