The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS, known as SIMDUT, Système d'information sur les matières dangereuses utilisées au travail in French, Canada's other national language) is Canada's national workplace hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system, which came into effect on October 31, 1988, are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS controlled products, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education and site-specific training programs.
WHMIS is an example of synchronization and cooperation amongst Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments. The coordinated approach avoided duplication, inefficiency through loss of scale and the interprovincial trade barriers that would have been created had each province and territory established its own hazard communication system.
Class A Compressed gas |
Class D-2 Materials causing other toxic effects |
Class B Flammable and combustible material |
Class D-3 Biohazardous infectious material |
Class C Oxidizing material |
Class E Corrosive material |
Class D-1 Materials causing immediate and serious toxic effects |
Class F Dangerously reactive material |
Read more about Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System: Legislative Framework, Public Engagement
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