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November, 2005: The United
Nations has endorsed a global classification system for chemicals and
controlled products to be implemented by every country by 2008. This will
have a profound impact on WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information
System) 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.
The GHS will mean that ALL
companies who deal with controlled products will need to be re-trained
when it is implemented.
Here is an outline of the
major changes to take place:
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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.
To view Health Canada's GHS
documents, please click on:
http://www.healthcanada.ca/ghs
Source: OHS Canada
Magazine. July/August 2005.
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