WHMIS 2015 Quick Reference Card

What Is WHMIS 2015?

WHMIS 2015 (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) aligns Canada's hazardous product regulations with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). It replaced WHMIS 1988 and applies to controlled products in federally and provincially regulated workplaces across Canada.

The 8 GHS Pictograms

• Flame — flammable gases, liquids, solids, pyrophorics, self-heating substances
• Flame Over Circle — oxidizing gases, liquids, and solids
• Exploding Bomb — explosives, self-reactive substances, organic peroxides
• Corrosion — corrosive to metals, skin corrosion/burns, serious eye damage
• Gas Cylinder — gases under pressure (compressed, liquefied, dissolved)
• Skull and Crossbones — acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)
• Exclamation Mark — irritants, skin/eye sensitizers, acute toxicity (harmful)
• Health Hazard — carcinogens, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitizers

Hazard Classification

WHMIS 2015 recognizes 14 hazard categories covering physical hazards (e.g., flammables, explosives, oxidizers) and health hazards (e.g., acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity). Products may fall into multiple categories and must be classified by the supplier before entering the workplace.

The 16 SDS Sections

• 1. Identification
• 2. Hazard Identification
• 3. Composition / Information on Ingredients
• 4. First Aid Measures
• 5. Fire-Fighting Measures
• 6. Accidental Release Measures
• 7. Handling and Storage
• 8. Exposure Controls / Personal Protection
• 9. Physical and Chemical Properties
• 10. Stability and Reactivity
• 11. Toxicological Information
• 12. Ecological Information
• 13. Disposal Considerations
• 14. Transport Information
• 15. Regulatory Information
• 16. Other Information

Label Requirements

• Product identifier (name matching the SDS)
• Signal word: 'Danger' (more severe) or 'Warning' (less severe)
• Hazard statement(s) describing the nature and degree of hazard
• Precautionary statement(s) for safe handling, storage, disposal, and first aid
• Pictogram(s) relevant to the classified hazard(s)
• Supplier identifier (name, address, and phone number)
• Bilingual requirement: labels and SDSs must be available in both English and French