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The United Nations has
endorsed a global classification system for chemicals
and controlled products to be implemented by every
country by 2008. The Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) will
have a major impact on Canadian workplaces and will
ultimately change the face of WHMIS in Canada.
The purpose of the GHS is to standardize labeling, classifications and regulations so that international business can be conducted with more
efficiency and safety.
This is a
much welcomed change for companies with international
operations as it means they will have to abide by only
one set of regulations across the world. GHS is another
step into a borderless world of business.
Of course,
the change also means major retraining efforts will have
to take place by virtually all organizations and a mass
overhaul of signage, labeling, classifications, MSDSs
etc will have to take place.
Some key changes that will take
place with the GHS:
Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDSs) will be called Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and will include
16 headings instead of the current 9.
Pictograms will be
changed to black symbols on a white background with a red diamond frame.
This replaces current WHMIS symbols which have a black rounded
frame.
Labeling requirements
will be altered, including no cross-hatched border on supplier labels.
View Health
Canada's GHS page here:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/intactiv/ghs-sgh/index_e.html.
Side Note: How will
the GHS affect the TDG Regulations?
In Canada, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Regulations follows the United Nations Recommendations
on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations,
which, for the most part, are already harmonized with
the GHS. |
