Safety Update

Safety Update: Appropriate training and demonstrated competency are the key components for WHMIS compliance

In Canada, the federal legislation for WHMIS was developed with one simple goal in mind - ensure that all employers provide their employees with appropriate safety information, procedures and training about hazardous (controlled) products in their workplace.

Although WHMIS has been in place since the 80's and appears to be very straight forward, some of the basic requirements are still largely misunderstood. Many employers and workers commonly believe that WHMIS training or certification has an expiry date or that to prove competency all one needs to do is produce a WHMIS training certificate. There is also a common misconception that once an employee has completed WHMIS training it is automatically acceptable or transferable to other job sites.

The reality is that since each workplace has different hazards, different products, and different workplace situations, training and compliance needs will vary from one company to the next. Under the scrutiny of an inspector or auditor, the validation of a properly implemented WHMIS program will be based on making sure a company's employees are appropriately trained and can also demonstrate the ability to apply what they have learned. Each of the hazardous or controlled product's employee's deal with while performing their jobs, or that are simply present in the workplace must be reviewed on a periodic basis. This review should include; product specific MSDS, proper product handling, PPE, spill response and first aid procedures. This is an ongoing process and as new controlled products are introduced to the workplace, employers must diligently review them with their workers.

Regardless of the WHMIS training employees receive, whether it be online, self-study, or classroom training, it is just as important that this knowledge can be practically demonstrated by employees.

How do we do this? - Easy! Once an employee or group of employees have completed the education portion such as an online course, employer's should guide their workers through a series of practical exercises and discussions to make sure their employees are well grounded in WHMIS, can apply what they have learned.

Remember - appropriate training and demonstrated competency are the key components of due diligence for WHMIS and three of the most important elements to focus on include:

1. Appropriate Training and Education
2. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) - Where to find the MSDS binder and understand the MSDS sheets for the Controlled products they deal with
3. Labels - how to read and understand the labels found on controlled products in the workplace

This Safety Update was contributed by Kevin Swinden from Global Hazmat 1.877.744.4999 http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/Redirect.aspx?u=338936&r=246083&qz=0b8bc8065c0afc2e0d260ef9a0f247f1

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