Blog Post #1403 – New Federal Regulations Adopted in Canada

Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine (July 2016)

The federal government has announced a new set of OH&S regulations to align Canada’s hazardous-material practices with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

Announced on June 30, 2016, by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the new rules amend the federal Canada Labour Code as part of the nation’s implementation of the GHS, which replaces the former Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) for identifying and classifying dangerous chemicals. The changes were published in Part II of the Canada Gazette on June 29, 2016.

“These new amendments will better protect workers from hazardous products and improve their overall safety,” Mary Ann Mihychuk, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, says in a statement.

According to a June 30, 2016, news release from the ESDC, the amendments affect five regulations under the Code: the Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, The Maritime Health and Safety Regulations, the Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, On Board Trains Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, and the Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations.ealth

In addition, the federal government is working with provincial and territorial governments that are changing their own legislation to ensure consistency.

My opinion

The Global Harmonized System (GHS) was to replace Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) a long time ago. (This being 2023)

WHMIS training should be a thing of the past and one update, WHMIS 2015, covered much of the changes.

Many companies still have yearly refreshers for WHMIS but the move the GHS is still a very slow process.

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at www.hrsgroup.com.

Ensure your workplace is a safe place.

Remember – In Canada, “All accidents are Preventable”

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal

CHSEP – Advanced Level

CEO and Training Director