The amended Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and new Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) became law in Canada in 2015. The amendments established new requirements for labels and safety data sheets (SDSs) under Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS). The HPA and HPR regulate suppliers (importers, manufacturers, distributors) while the Workers Compensation Board of PEI regulates the requirements of WHMIS in Island workplaces.

 “The transition to the new requirements has been implemented in phases, giving employers and workers time to become familiar with new regulations and hazard symbols, and allowing suppliers and distributors time to deplete their stock of existing labels,” said Luanne Gallant, Chief Executive Officer for the Prince Edward Island Workers Compensation Board.

The transition phases are coming to an end on November 30, 2018. As of December 1, 2018, all workplaces are expected to be in compliance with the new WHMIS requirements.

Workplaces have a number of options to deal with old hazardous products in order to comply with the new requirements:

• Use up WHMIS 1988 products;
  
  
• Re-label WHMIS 1988 products with a WHMIS 2015 compliant workplace label, and obtain or prepare a WHMIS 2015 compliant SDS;
  
  
• Re-label WHMIS 1988 products with a WHMIS 2015 compliant supplier label, and obtain or prepare a WHMIS 2015 compliant SDS;
  
  
• Safely dispose of WHMIS 1988 products that cannot be brought into compliance with WHMIS 2015.
  
  
• Educate and train workers so they understand the hazards and know how to work safely with hazardous products.

Information to help with the transition to the new requirements is available for suppliers, distributors, employers and workers through WHMIS.org and wcb.pe.ca/whmis.  Occupational Health and Safety Officers and Education Consultants are available to visit workplaces and can assist employers and workers, so they can better understand their requirements and responsibilities.  In addition, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) offers an online course on WHMIS 2015 for Workers as well as other eCourses on WHMIS.

For more information, please visit our website at www.wcb.pe.ca/whmis.

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