WHMIS and Health Care Organizations

Every day, health care workers in Canada face potential exposure to hazardous materials. Often workers are not aware of the risk associated with exposure, which is why health care facilities must implement adequate programs to protect their workers from overexposure to or misuse of dangerous chemicals.

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a program legislated by both federal and provincial jurisdictions and offers a comprehensive system of information on the safe use of all hazardous materials that could be found in the workplace. Information is provided using MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and product labels, in combination with educating workers.

Hazardous Products Commonly found in Health Care Facilities

Here are a few of the more common controlled products that are likely to be found in health care. There are many others. This is by no means an in-depth list, but used purely to show an example of what may be some of the hazardous products health care workers are exposed to.

Oxygen Cylinders
Formaldehyde
SAF Fixative
Metricide
Sodium Hypochlorite
N20 Anesthetic Gas

What Are the Responsibilities of Health Care Organizations?

Suppliers, health care employers, and health care workers all have a responsibility under the WHMIS legislation

Suppliers– These are the companies that sell hazardous products. They are required by law to ensure that their products are adequately labeled and to provide an up-to-date MSDS sheet when the products are sold.

Health Care Employers: Health Care employers must implement WHMIS program to protect their workers. The employer must ensure that all hazardous products are adequately labeled and that all workers know where to find the corresponding MSDS sheet. Additionally, employers must ensure that employees received comprehensive WHMIS training and education.

Health Care Workers: Health care workers are required to participate in WHMIS training that is provided by the health care employer and use the information to help them work safely with hazardous materials.

Online WHMIS Training

Online WHMIS training is an excellent way to train workers and offers a tremendous amount of flexibility. Online training is available 24/7, making it an excellent option for shift workers. It also ensures consistency; meaning that employers can have the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing that their employees have all received the exact same, important information.

Once health care workers receive WHMIS training, there is a significant decrease in the potential for injuries and illnesses related to workplace hazards. This in turn leads to fewer missed days from work and lower overhead for the organization.

Failing to Comply With WHMIS Legislation

All employers are responsible for ensuring that their health workers receive WHMIS training.

If a health care organization doesn’t comply with the WHMIS legislation, it puts its workers in harm’s way as well as puts itself at risk to suffer detrimental legal consequences. Contravening WHMIS legislation can result in the shutdown of operations, prosecution, significant fines, and even imprisonment.