Reduce hazardous chemical risks with a free WHMIS checklist and workplace walkthrough

Jessica Bowes

Safety audit at the chemical storage area. Worker pointing at chemical storage.

Occupational disease from exposure to hazardous chemicals kills more Ontario workers each year than traumatic injuries. “If not managed properly, hazardous chemicals can be silent killers,” says Toni Volpato, Specialized Consultant at WSPS.

To address this risk, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) is continuing two occupational hygiene campaigns until March 31, 2026. During this period, MLITSD occupational hygiene inspectors are visiting workplaces to assess compliance specific to training of workers on Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) as a result of the amended Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR).

“Essentially, MLITSD inspectors are visiting workplaces to ensure they are in compliance with Regulation 860: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and Regulation 833: Control Of Exposure To Biological Or Chemical Agents to prevent over exposure to hazardous chemicals,” explains Toni.

Prepare for inspections with our free consulting service and checklist

To support businesses, WSPS has developed a free WHMIS & Chemical Exposure checklist that organizations can complete at their own pace. For workplaces that prefer hands-on support, you can book a complimentary walkthrough with a WSPS health and safety consultant, who will help identify risks related to hazardous products and strengthen compliance.

Working with a WSPS health and safety consultant is an efficient way to identify the areas that need attention. A consultant’s visit takes about two hours and begins with reviewing the checklist, which is designed to highlight opportunities for improvement linked to MLITSD’s inspection focus. “And it doesn’t end there,” says Toni. “Our consultants provide the information, resources, and tools you need to bring your workplace into compliance with the legislation.”

MLITSD inspectors will look for evidence of things such as site-specific WHMIS training, documented procedures, and adherence to occupational exposure limits,” explains Toni. “Ultimately, the goal is to prevent overexposure to hazardous chemicals that could lead to occupational disease.”

This means workplaces should be able to provide written procedures on the safe use, handling, storage, and disposal of all chemicals. Workers must understand the hazards of working with these chemicals and be trained on how to protect themselves from harm. “Our consultants will help you look for gaps that may exist in your chemical management program,” Toni says.

Work towards compliance

There are no amendments or new requirements in either Regulation 833 or 860. These campaigns are simply about making sure employers are doing what has always been required. However, changes were made to the HPR, which may require retraining.

The federal HPR require suppliers of hazardous products to provide a safety data sheet (SDS) and ensure that the containers of the products are properly labelled.
The HPR was amended in December 2022 to include changes in hazard classifications and information elements in the SDS.
There was a 3-year transition period, ending December 2025, for suppliers to comply, during which time workplaces will begin to receive updated SDS and labels for their hazardous products.
Once the updated SDSs and supplier labels are received, workplaces must retrain workers on WHMIS so that they understand the changes in the SDS and labels and know how to work safely with them.

“The problem is that sometimes employers are not aware of everything they need to do to protect workers,” says Toni. “Take WHMIS, for example. Most employers are diligent about making sure all employees complete WHMIS training, know where to find SDSs, and understand how to read them,” explains Toni. “However, a common gap we find is the site-specific procedures and training requirements. Once general WHMIS training is complete, employers are required to train workers on the specific chemicals they will work with and develop site-specific procedures. We don’t always see this type of training happening."

A WSPS consultant will break down the steps required to move towards compliance. “We take the guesswork out of it,” says Toni. Companies that take advantage of this consulting service will receive a report highlighting opportunities for improvement and actionable recommendations. Contact WSPS today to schedule your free WHMIS & Chemical Exposure Checklist and walkthrough.

Occupational Hygiene Consulting

Connect with a WSPS Occupational Hygienist to help you identify unsafe conditions and improve your health and safety program. Our experts can help with conducting air assessments, respirator program development, respirator fit testing and more.

Free Webinar

Safety Connection: A Practical Walkthrough of Your WHMIS & Chemical Exposure Checklist

March 11 - During this session, participants will review the checklist with a WSPS consultant. We’ll break down the WHMIS and Chemical Exposure checklist step by step - transforming what can feel like a compliance chore into a clear, confident process.
March 31 - After you have completed your inspection using the checklist, this webinar will answer any questions you may have. Bring your questions and feedback for our experts.

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