GHS Transition Solutions
Canada has transitioned the existing Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) to align with the internationally recognized Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
What is GHS?
GHS stands for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. GHS is a framework for chemical hazard classification and hazard communication worldwide. In a globally connected world, GHS is an internationally agreed-upon standard managed by the United Nations and established to replace the patchwork of hazardous material classification and labelling systems previously used around the world.
GHS establishes standards to classify and define the hazards and precautions of working with hazardous materials. These definitions are ever evolving as science uncovers more evidence around chemicals and their effects on human health and the environment. Updated revisions to GHS are published on an annual basis. The communication of hazardous information has been standardized by GHS with a common universal format for chemical labels and safety data sheets. Now all countries share similar requirements for chemical hazard information and it is organized in a similar format globally.
Each country around the world has their own regulatory system for managing chemical hazards. GHS is adopted by every country and interpreted into their own workplace health and safety regulation. In the USA this is referred to as HazCom 2012 and in Canada it is referred to as WHMIS 2015. Sharing a harmonized system in the age of global trade simplifies regulations and improves the safety for workers who interact with hazardous products.
WHMIS After GHS
WHMIS 2015 incorporates GHS rules on classification of hazardous products and chemicals, as well as requirements in terms of proper labelling and safety data sheets (SDS). Responsibilities of employers, workers and suppliers remain the same.
- Under WHMIS 2015, Canadian employers are expected to continue to train and educate their staff on proper use and handling of chemical products.
- Ensure that hazardous or controlled products are properly labelled following industry standards.
- Properly prepare safety data sheets (SDS’s, formerly MSDS’s) as needed
- Provide staff and workers with easy access to up-to-date SDS’s and labels
Be WHMIS 2015 Compliant
Chemscape can help your organization and employees adequately transition to WHMIS 2015. Chemscape Safety Technologies offers GHS Transition Solutions to ensure that your business is compliant with current chemical compliance standards. Whether it be by training workers and staff on important information and industry requirements to verifying that hazardous materials are correctly identified and labelled. Our dedicated team can help to create a custom GHS conversion plan that will ensure that your business operations are complying with current Canadian regulations and WHMIS 2015 standards.
Chemical Compliance Solutions
Chemscape Safety Technologies offers a suite of chemical compliance solutions to ensure that both employers and workers are appropriately trained on current Canadian standards and best practices. Additionally, we provide extensive chemical management solutions to ensure that all business operations remain compliant. Our GHS Transition Solutions includes the following:
Authoring Workplace Labels & Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Chemscape Safety Technologies has been providing professional SDS authoring services since 1989. If you are a chemical supplier our expert team can author supplier labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS’s) that meet the specific requirements of your jurisdiction.
Access to Up-To-Date Safety Data Sheets and Labels
Access a library of up-to-date Safety Data Sheets with Chemscape’s SDS Management solution sdsBinders. Our team is constantly in touch with chemical suppliers obtaining current SDSs so you do not have to.
Implement an SDS Management and Chemical Handling Program with sdsBinders
Now is a perfect time to implement a SDS Management system to improve Chemical Management at your organization. Chemscape’s SDS Management solution sdsBinders provides your own portal customized to your organization. Employees can access their SDSs anytime online or on our convenient mobile App.
Contact Chemscape Safety Technologies for more information about getting your workers WHMIS 2015 ready.
