Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

WHMIS is implemented through coordinated and interlocking federal, provincial and territorial legislation. The Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR), require Canadian suppliers (including importers and distributors) to provide supplier labels and material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for controlled products that are sold or imported for us in Canadian workplaces.

The HPA/CPR is administered by Health Canada in partnership with provincial, federal and territorial agencies responsible for occupational health and safety (OHS). Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Labour Program, is the WHMIS regulatory authority for federally-regulated workplaces.

The national WHMIS Web site  provides a consistent means of disseminating all national policies/information related to this program in Canada. The national site is developed and maintained by Health Canada's WHMIS Division, on behalf of the Government of Canada, in consultation with and on behalf of all federal, provincial and territorial government WHMIS regulatory authorities.

Each of the thirteen provincial, territorial and federal agencies responsible for occupational health and safety has established employer WHMIS requirements within their respective jurisdiction. These requirements place an onus on employers to ensure that controlled products used, stored, handled or disposed of in the workplace are properly labelled, MSDSs are made available to workers, and workers receive education and training to ensure the safe storage, handling and use of controlled products in the workplace.

The Labour Program of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada administers in partnerhsip with Transport Canada and the National Energy Board, the WHMIS employer requirements for federally-regulated workplaces. Transport Canada is responsible for on-board employees in the aviation, marine and rail sectors under federal jurisdiction, the National Energy Board is responsible for employees in the oil and gas sector under federal jurisdiction and the Labour Program is responsible for all others.

The WHMIS employer requirements have been incorporated in the Canada Labour Code, Part II and the Regulations dealing with Hazardous Substances made pursuant to the Code. These Regulations are:

• Part X of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 
  
  
• Part V of the Aviation Occupational Safety and Health Regulations  for on-board employees in the aviation sector under federal jurisdiction
  
  
• Part VII of the On Board Trains Occupational Safety and Health Regulations  for on-board employees in the rail sector under federal jurisdiction
  
  
• Part VIII of Marine Occupational Safety and Health Regulations  for on-board employees in the marine sector under federal jurisdiction
  
  
• Part XI of Oil & Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations  for employees in the oil and gas sector under federal jurisdiction