Getting Information to the Worker…

WHMIS puts vital information about hazardous materials into worker’s hands.  It does so by means of an information delivery system that has three parts:

• Labels
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Worker Training

Hazardous materials must be clearly identified to workers on the job.  This is the purpose of the WHMIS label which is the first hazard warning workers are likely to see.

In most cases, this label will be a supplier label – the label placed on the container by the supplier before shipping.  In other cases, the label may be a workplace label (used in the workplace if you decant a product from its original container or if the supplier label is damaged and unreadable then your employer is to make sure a workplace label is placed on the product/container) . 

Both supplier and workplace labels are required to present certain kinds of information for the benefit of workers who use the materials or come into contact with them on the job.

Never use or touch a product or material that is not labelled. If the label is removed, ripped, or torn or not readable then do not use or touch the product or material. Contact your supervisor for further information and instructions.