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So, you have an office or warehouse full of products and
chemicals. But how do you decipher which are
controlled products and regulated under WHMIS?
Here's your step-by-step guide to determine if those
product are, indeed, controlled.
Remember, WHMIS only applies
to products used in the workplace, not at home.
STEP 1: IS THERE A SUPPLIER LABEL?
The easiest way to tell if a product is controlled is to
check for a supplier label. This is usually on the back
of the product with a cross-hatched border and
includes the product's name, hazard symbols, safety
instructions and more.
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YES:
If you see a supplier label, the product IS
controlled.
NO:
If there is no supplier label, it does not mean that the
product is not controlled. at this stage, more digging is
required.
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Side Note: Consumer Products
Consumer products are those that are bought in
retail stores and, when used in the home, are not
regulated under WHMIS. However, when some of these
are brought into the workplace, WHMIS applies.
Most consumer products do not have Supplier Labels.
At first glance, it appears that they are not
controlled. However, this is because they are
intended for home use. If you bring that product
into the workplace, WHMIS may apply.
This is where you have to dig further to find out
if it's controlled. |
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STEP 2: IS THERE A HAZARD SYMBOL?
Hazard symbols are usually
found on the front of the product, but can also be
located on the back. They can be in the form of a
circle, triangle, diamond or octagon. Here are a few
common examples:
YES: If you see a symbol like these on a product, it IS a controlled
product and WHMIS applies when the product is used in
the workplace.
NO:
It is not a controlled product and
WHMIS does not apply.
NOW WHAT?
If you've determined that this is NOT
a controlled product, WHMIS does not apply. You should,
however, ensure that you and your employees know how to
work safely with the product.
If this IS a controlled
product, there are a few things you should do:
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(1)
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Obtain
the MSDS from the manufacturer of the product. |
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(2a) |
Use the
safety precautions listed on the back of the
container; or |
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(2b) |
If you
move the contents from one container to another, you
must make a
workplace label for the new container. |
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(3) |
Train
your staff to work safely with the controlled
product. |
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If you're unsure if the products you are working with
are controlled, please ask your
Supervisor or contact YOW Canada at 1-866-688-2845.
Also, for
more of your WHMIS questions answered, please visit our
WHMIS FAQ section. |
