To be effective and to comply with OH&S legislation in most provinces - WHMIS instruction requires two vital steps:
- Information about how WHMIS communication systems work we call this the education component. It addresses the content and significance of supplier labels, workplace labels, other identifiers, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and how WHMIS works in general.
- Site-specific or job-specific instruction that shows employees how to work safely with particular WHMIS controlled products we call this the training component. Employees have to know:
- where to find WHMIS information and how to use the information delivery systems (e.g. software for electronic MSDS’s),
- hazards of WHMIS controlled products in their job or workplace,
- the site-specific or job-specific practices and rules required to safely handle and store the controlled products they’re using,
- the proper use and care of engineering controls and personal protective equipment, and
- specific procedures for responding to emergencies such as spills, releases, or worker exposure.
|