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WorkSafeBC

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FAQs for WHMIS

Acts/Regulations | Definitions | Scope | MSDSs | Labels | Education & Training | Publications | Implementation

Labels

  1. What is required on a supplier label?

    2. Seven items are required. They are; product identifier, hazard symbols, risk phrases, precautionary measures, first aid measures, supplier identifier and a reference to MSDS. These must all be enclosed within a hatched border.

  2. If a controlled product imported for use in Canada is not labeled with a supplier label, who is responsible to ensure that a proper label is applied before use?

    3. Federal legislation requires that the supplier importing the controlled product into Canada is responsible for obtaining or preparing a compliant WHMIS label and applying it to the container.

    Provincial requirement prohibits the use of the controlled product without a proper label in the workplace.

  3. Is it required to list the hazardous ingredients within the hatched border of a supplier label?

    4. No, only the 7 items listed in the question NO. 1.

  4. Is Spanish allowed on the supplier label?

    5. Yes.  Spanish may be used within the WHMIS supplier label border along with English and French.

  5. Can we use coloured hazard symbols on supplier labels?

    6. Yes -- as long as the colours do not conflict with TDG designated colours. For details, see WHMIS Core Material (pp 117 - 118). (Also available from Publications, Videos, and Forms Distribution.)

  6. Are workplace labels written only in English?

    7. Workplace labels should be written in the language that is most common in the specific workplace.

  7. When do I need a workplace label?

    8. A workplace label is required on a decanted product container or when the original label on the container is illegible.

  8. What information items are required on a workplace label?

    9. Workplace labels require 3 items of information. They are; the product name identical to that found on the MSDS of the controlled product, information on safe handling and a statement indicating that a MSDS for the product is available.

  9. Do workplace labels require a hatched border?

    10. No.

  10. Does the WorkSafeBC provide or sell blank workplace labels?

    11. No.

  11. What information is required on placard identifiers?

    12. Same information as required on workplace label. (Product name, information on safe handling, statement indicating MSDS is available).

  12. What are the labelling requirements for controlled products in small containers, chemicals from laboratory chemical suppliers and for laboratory samples?

    13. The labelling requirements vary. See WHMIS Label section for more information.

  13. How do I label pipes or piping systems that carry controlled products?

    14. Employers may use any system they wish for identifying the controlled product carried in pipes/piping systems. It can be product name, labels, placards or a form of colour coding. Colour coding is the most common. Workers must be educated in the identification scheme being used.

  14. If the container holding a controlled product is too small to accommodate a proper label, what information must be on a label?

    15. If the container is less than 100 ml in capacity, the label need contain only four of the seven items normally required. These are the product identifier, hazard symbols, supplier identifier and the reference to the MSDS. The employer must educate and train the workers on the information not included on the label.



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