e-news

  The quarterly newsletter for Safety Professionals

Q1, 2007

Issue 5
   

Ask the Experts

 

Do Volunteers Require WHMIS Training?

 
You know that any employee who may come into contact with a controlled product needs WHMIS training, but what about those un-paid volunteers?
 


Unfortunately, this is not a black and white answer. The requirements vary from province to province.

WHMIS applies to all workers covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. In Ontario, however, volunteers do not meet the definition of a worker, so they do not legally require WHMIS training. Having said that, it's usually a good idea to offer the training regardless to ensure that they know how to safely work with controlled products.

However, in Alberta, the definition of a worker does include volunteers. This means that volunteers (unpaid workers) are also covered by the OH&S Act and require WHMIS training.

In our opinion, it's better to be safe than sorry and provide the training regardless. That way, you reduce the chances of an accident.

To learn more about your province's specific WHMIS requirements, please contact the provincial offices:

Provincial Contacts

WHMIS is a national program and the basic requirements are the same across the country. However, individual provinces and territories may have introduced minor changes while integrating WHMIS with their occupational health and safety regulatory regime. Here are provincial contacts for any special WHMIS requirements:

Government of Alberta
Alberta Human Resources and Employment
(866) 415-8690
http://www.hre.gov.ab.ca

Government of British Columbia
Workers’ Compensation Board
(604) 276-3100
http://www.worksafebc.com/

Government of Manitoba
Manitoba Labour and Immigration
(204) 945-3450
http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/

Government of New Brunswick
Workplace Health Safety and Compensation Commission
(506) 453-2467
http://www.whscc.nb.ca/

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Department of Government Services
(709) 729-5548
http://www.gov.nl.ca/gs/ohs

Governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Workers' compensation Board
(800) 661-0782 or (867) 669-4407
http://www.wcb.nt.ca/

Government of Nova Scotia
Department of Environment and Labour
(902) 424-5400
http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/healthandsafety/

Government of Ontario
Ministry of Labour
(800) 268-8013
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/index.html

Government of Prince Edward Island
Workers’ Compensation Board
(902) 368-5562
http://www.wcb.pe.ca/

Government of Québec
Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail
(514) 906-3080
http://www.csst.qc.ca/

Government of Saskatchewan
Department of Labour
(306) 787-4539
http://www.labour.gov.sk.ca/

Government of Yukon
Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board
(867) 667-5450
http://www.wcb.yk.ca/

If you export WHMIS controlled products to Canada and do not have a
Canadian representative, you may contact Health Canada:

Government of Canada
National WHMIS Office, Health Canada
Tel: (613) 957-2342
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/occup-travail/whmis-simdut/index_e.html.

If your query relates to WHMIS controlled products used, handled, stored or
disposed of in a federally-regulated workplace, please contact:

Government of Canada
Labour Program, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Tel.: (819) 953-0215
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/topics/oxs-gxr.shtml

 


 

 
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