WHMIS: what you need to know about hazardous materials in the workplace

September 5, 2025

WHMIS 2015

The national standard that Canada uses to classify, label, and communicate information about hazardous products in the workplace is known as WHMIS. WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. In Ontario, employers are required to comply with WHMIS Regulation 860: WORKPLACE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM (WHMIS).

This system aligns with the global system known as GHS which stands for the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. This organization is responsible for formalizing hazardous product identification and ensuring consistency across jurisdictions.

The Hazardous Products Act (HPA) in Canada outlines the duties of suppliers of hazardous products, including the requirement to provide safety data sheets and product labels for hazardous products sold or imported for workplace use. The Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) outlines the specific criteria for classifying hazardous products and the required information elements in the SDS and labels. The HPR was amended on December 15, 2022 and suppliers have until December 15, 2025 to update their SDS to comply with the updated requirements.

When employers receive updated SDS from their suppliers, they must train their workers on this updated information to ensure workers know the hazards and how to work safely with the hazardous materials in their workplace.

History and program evolution

WHMIS is a Canada-wide hazard communication standard for protecting the health and safety of workers who use, store and handle hazardous chemicals. WHMIS has been aligned with the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The current program is referred to as just “WHMIS” after previously identified as WHMIS 2015 and WHMIS 1988 in the past.

Suppliers of hazardous products in Canada have been given a 3-year period to update their SDS and labels to comply with the updated Hazardous Products Regulations. Compliance is required by December 15, 2025.

The GHS was developed by the United Nations to replace an assortment of national hazard classification systems (toxic, harmful, hazardous, depending on the country) with one global set of rules for communicating hazard information.

By incorporating GHS standards, WHMIS provides more detailed and consistent hazard information, making it easier for workers to recognize hazards and protect themselves, and for workplaces to comply with legislated requirements.

While the new WHMIS includes new harmonized criteria for hazard classification and requirements for labels and safety data sheets (SDS), the roles and responsibilities for suppliers, employers and workers have not changed.

What are the roles and responsibilities under WHMIS?

Suppliers, defined as persons who, in the course of business, sell or import a hazardous product, will continue to:

Identify whether their products are hazardous products; and,
Prepare labels and SDSs compliant with the HPR and provide these to purchasers of hazardous products intended for use in a workplace.

Employers:

Ensure hazardous products used in the workplace are properly labeled and are accompanied by a current SDS.
Train workers on both generic and workplace specific WHMIS training.
Ensure workers can access to the SDSs and know how to make workplace labels.
Develop procedures and training for workers regarding the safe use, storage, handling and disposal of hazardous products, as well as procedures to follow when fugitive emissions are present and what to do in case of an emergency involving hazardous products, such as a spill.
Ensure appropriate control measures are in place to protect the health and safety of workers.
Review and update their WHMIS program annually with the Joint Health and Safety Committee or Health and Safety Representative to ensure that it is effective in protecting workers who are exposed to hazardous chemicals.

Workers:

Participate in WHMIS training and chemical safety training programs.
Participate in workplace specific training for the hazards specific to their job.
Follow workplace procedures to take necessary steps to protect themselves and their co-workers.
Participate in identifying and controlling hazards and report all concerns to their supervisor.

Who enforces WHMIS in Canada?

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) Health and Safety Inspectors and MLITSD Occupational Hygienist Inspectors enforce Reg. 860.
Federally-Regulated Workplaces: Your workplace falls under the Canada Labour Code. The MLITSD Occupational Hygienists have been given authority to enforce the Hazardous Products Act and Regulations.

Do I have to do WHMIS training every year?

There is no specific requirement for annual WHMIS refresher training in the WHMIS Regulation, however this is a best practice. Training must be updated and implemented when work conditions change that may affect the health or safety of a worker, such as introducing new products, new information about safe handling, storage and use of chemicals.

What is the requirement for the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or Health and Safety Representative (HSR) to be involved in WHMIS training or changes to their program?

In the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) Section 42, the training must be developed and implemented by the employer in consultation with the JHSC or HSR. The employer must also review, in consultation with the JHSC or HSR, the training provided to a worker and the worker’s familiarity at least annually.

If nothing has changed in the last year, some companies may choose to review the worker’s training and familiarity by giving a quiz to all the workers or some way to check in with their workers to ensure people still have the knowledge to protect themselves when working with the hazardous materials in their workplace.

A common misconception:

Some employers may think generic WHMIS training (eg. 1 hour video learning about WHMIS symbols, SDS, labels etc) is sufficient for compliance of WHMIS training. This is false.

It is extremely important that employers take the time to understand what hazardous materials workers are exposed to in their workplace and put in controls to prevent over exposure to the chemicals. They must develop safe work procedures, and train workers on those specific procedures so workers understand the hazards of the hazardous materials and how to protect themselves.

The WHMIS regulation is very clear in saying the employer needs to provide training on procedures for safe use, storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials. See Section 6 and 7 in the WHMIS Regulations for what is required in the training on hazardous materials.

How Do I Show Compliance with WHMIS Requirements?

In order to show compliance with WHMIS requirements, employers must be able to show MLITSD Inspectors:

They have programs and procedures in place on how to work safely with the hazardous chemicals in their workplace.
Workers understand what the hazards are regarding the chemicals they are handling, and how to protect themselves.
The products being used have current SDS, that are accessible to workers, and each container has a label that meet WHMIS requirements.
Education and training records are being kept (both generic and workplace-specific training).
The WHMIS program is reviewed annually with the Joint Health and Safety Committee or Health and Safety Representative to ensure that it is effective in protecting workers when handling hazardous chemicals.

What Are My Next Steps?

WSPS offers these suggestions to help you meet the new requirements:

Ensure your workplace is WHMIS compliant

Review and revise in-house inventories, processes, training programs and materials to reflect WHMIS requirements. Suppliers are required to provide updated SDSs for all hazardous products. If a manufacturer refuses to provide this documentation, reach out to the MLITSD who enforce these requirements in Ontario.
Provide generic training to workplace parties on WHMIS which provides information on everyone’s responsibilities, hazard symbols, content and format of labels and SDS.
Provide workplace-specific training to workers on procedures for the safe use, handling, storage and disposal of hazardous products that workers are exposed to in their workplace. This training is essential for workers who are handling hazardous chemicals.

How WSPS Can Help

WSPS can help you with your WHMIS training needs and more.

MLITSD Occupational Hygiene Campaigns Toolkit if you are looking for more information and resources on the MLITSD Occupational Hygiene Campaigns.

Consulting

To arrange for the help of a WSPS consultant, call 1-877-494-WSPS (9777) or 905-614-1400.

Online Generic WHMIS Training

WHMIS Online Training (Generic training - 1-hour online eCourse)

DIY Workshop with WSPS: Workplace Specific WHMIS Training

This workshop is designed to equip employers and health and safety professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to develop and deliver effective, workplace-specific WHMIS training. It aligns with the amended Hazardous Products Regulations and supports the MLITSD Occupational Hygiene Campaign 2025–2026. The session emphasizes practical application, customization, and integration of WHMIS into broader chemical safety programs.

Participants will receive: