OH&S Inspectors to Promote and Inspect WHMIS Compliance

The federal government updated WHMIS rules in 2015. WHMIS 2015 includes new definitions, new harmonized criteria for hazard classification, and new rules for labels and safety data sheets (SDS). Employers importing hazardous products for use at their workplace and/or distribution are required to keep “specific purchasing information” for six years from the date of purchase. Employers selling hazardous products must keep “specific sales information”.

From October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 Alberta’s OHS inspectors may visit your workplace to inspect and promote compliance. One objective of this project is to build a list of suppliers in each jurisdiction. Inspectors may request a copy of your “specific purchasing information” and/or your “specific sales information,” and up to five SDSs/labels for your hazardous products. Inspectors may not provide advance notice of the inspection. If you have questions contact MMichelle.Kutz@gov.ab.ca. For up-to-date WHMIS information visit whmis.org.