WHMIS labels are part of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.

Their purpose is to alert workers to the hazards of controlled products

and the procedures for working with,

and to direct workers to the second part of the WHMIS information system

the Material Safety Data Sheet.

In this module, you'll be introduced to the three types of WHMIS labelling

You will learn about the responsibilities for developing and applying the labels

and details about their design and content.

The three types of WHMIS labelling are the supplier label,

the workplace label and other means of identification.

The supplier of any controlled products manufactured, processed

packaged, imported or sold in Canada has a basic responsibility

to provide and apply, as a condition of sale,WHMIS supplier labels

The employer must develop and apply workplace labels

to various containers of controlled products in the workplace

For example, on storage tanks which hold a controlled product produced on site

or on portable storage containers into which contents

have been transferred from a supplier container.

In some circumstances, the employer is permitted to use

another means of identification such as colour or number codes

and warnings signs to ensure that workers recognize the presence of a controlled product.

Employers must make sure that all workers who work with or near controlled products

recognize and understand supplier labels, workplace labels

and other means of identification used in the workplace

and are trained in the procedures for the safe storage, handling

use and disposal of products, as well as procedures to follow

in the event of an emergency.

Workers, in turn, must learn the information provided by employers

read and understand the label before using the product,

and follow safe work procedures.

There are seven WHMIS information categories which must appear

on a typical WHMIS supplier label:

The Product Identifier, Supplier Identifier, Reference to the MSDS, Hazard Symbols,

Risk Phrases, Precautionary Measures and First Aid Measures.

The Product Identifier is the product name.

The name on the label must be identical to the Product Identifier

on the Material Safety Data Sheet.

The Supplier Identifier includes the supplier, manufacturer or importer's name

and the location of the principal place of business.

A reference to the data sheet such as "See Material Safety Data Sheet"

must appear on the WHMIS supplier label when a Material Safety Data Sheet is required.

WHMIS Hazard Symbols must have a distinctive circular border

and must be displayed in a colour that won't be confused

with Transportation of Dangerous Goods safety marks.

For example, the TDG colour for the explosive symbol is orange

Therefore, no WHMIS symbol may be orange

because WHMIS does not include explosives.

The Risk Phrase must use wording that clearly indicates

the risks associated with the product's use.

The Precautionary Measures for the safe handling,

use and storage of hazardous materials must be clearly indicated

The First Aid Measures must describe immediate first aid steps to be taken

in the event of harmful contact with the product.

Supplier labels must be designed for durability.

Letters, numbers and borders must be in a colour that contrasts distinctly

from other markings on the container.

Supplier labels must be in both English and French.

Most require this distinctive border design.

Depending on the size and type of container,

all or some of the seven main categories will be included on supplier labels.

Controlled products entering the typical workplace that are over 100 millilitres in volume

require all seven categories on the supplier labels.

For containers of 100 millilitres or less in size,

supplier labels must display, at a minimum, four categories:

the Product Identifier, Supplier Identifier,

a Material Safety Data Sheet Statement, and Hazard Symbols.

Suppliers usually transport products in single containers,

multi-containers or in bulk.

If the product is in a single container, the supplier is responsible for ensuring

that it is received with the appropriate label applied.

When inner containers are used in a multi-container shipment,

the supplier must apply labels to inner as well as outer containers

unless an arrangement is made in writing with the purchaser

to apply the supplier's labels to the inner containers.

When a multi-container shipment requires a TDG label for transport

the supplier does not have to provide a WHMIS label on the outer container

as long as all inner containers bear appropriate labels.

For bulk shipments, the supplier need not apply a supplier label to the bulk container.

However, the supplier must provide either a supplier label

or alternative labelling information to the employer when the product is received.

The alternative labelling information, for example,

could be on the Material Safety Data Sheet.

Although suppliers have the basic responsibility to provide and apply labels,

the bottom line is that employers are responsible

for ensuring that no controlled product is used or handled

without the labels required from the supplier.

If a controlled product is received from a supplier without a proper label

it may be stored while the employer is actively seeking supplier label information.

Where the employer imports a controlled product from another country

for use in the employer's workplace only, the employer is considered the supplier,

and therefore, must develop and apply a supplier label for the product

Workplace labels are another type of WHMIS label.

They're used in a variety of situations in the workplace

to fulfill WHMIS labelling requirements.

Workplace labels must be provided, for example,

if an existing supplier label becomes illegible or is accidentally removed

and a replacement supplier label is not available.

Employers must provide workplace labels for storage containers of controlled products

produced in the workplace or when contents are transferred

from a supplier container to a portable container.

Exceptions to this rule are portable containers filled directly from a labelled container.

They will have to be under the control of the worker

who transferred the product to the new container for use on the same shift

In this case, a means of identifying the contents of the container will do

The format for workplace labels is flexible

as long as the three basic types of information appear:

the product identifier, safe handling information

and the fact that a Material Safety Data Sheet is available.

The product identifier on the workplace label must be identical

to the product identifier in the corresponding Material Safety Data Sheet

Information for safe handling states the precautions necessary

to reduce health risks or injury.

Hazard information can be provided instead

as long as workers are trained in the necessary precautions.

If a Material Safety Data Sheet is available, a statement to that effect must be included.

Although not specifically required by WHMIS,

the design of workplace labels may include WHMIS hazard symbols

and the distinctive border used for supplier labels

for better communication with the workforce.

The workplace label may be in the language of choice in the workplace

Non-WHMIS symbols may be used with workplace labels

as long as the information presented does not result in worker misunderstanding of the hazards.

For example, if a label system provided a number or letter rating

based on acute effects only,

then the employer would have to take steps to ensure that workers

knew about any likelihood of that product causing chronic toxic effects

In certain cases, workplace labels need not be used.

Other means of visual identification will do such as product names, colour or number codes,

placards and even piping diagrams.

These other means must be used in combination with worker education

to ensure that workers are able to identify contents.

Other means of identification may be used to identify locations

where workplace hazardous waste produced in the workplace are stored

to identify controlled product transfer systems such as pipes or conveyor belts,

the contents of reaction or process vessels, or to identify the contents of portable containers

that are filled directly from a labelled container and will be under the control of the worker

who transferred the product to the new container for use on the same shift

In laboratories, some modification of general labelling requirements will be permitted.

For example, supplier labels for controlled products

from laboratory supply houses

do not need the distinctive supplier label border or hazard symbols

if they are packaged in less than 10-kilogram quantities

and intended for use in a laboratory.

However, the label must disclose a Product Identifier, Risk Phrases

Precautionary Measures, First Aid Measures,

and where an MSDS is available, a statement to that effect.

Suppliers of such chemicals are required to provide an MSDS

except where the label discloses all the information required on the MSDS

Supplier labels for laboratory samples packaged in less than 10-kilogram quantities

and for which no MSDS is available must display the distinctive WHMIS label border

and disclose the product identifier, supplier identifier,

the identity of ingredients when they are known, and an emergency telephone number.

Portable containers filled from supplier containers

as well as products produced in a laboratory

for research and development work in the same lab,

do not need a workplace label, only a means of product identification

That covers the basic information required for the implementation

of a WHMIS Labelling Program.

The job at hand now is to review the information

in relation to controlled products in your workplace.

Do all controlled products entering your workplace have supplier labels as required?

Are the necessary categories of information included in the supplier label?

Are supplier labels in good condition

particularly those on containers of products that have been in the workplace for some time?

What about the labels developed for your workplace?

Are the correct information categories included on the workplace label?

Is the information up-to-date?

What about other means of identification used in your workplace?

Do the current methods clearly indicate the identity of controlled products to workers?

Are workers properly trained in WHMIS labelling requirements

in how to read labels, and do they understand other means of identification?

The answer to all these questions must be yes.

WHMIS and WHMIS labels, for a safer and healthier workplace.