Southwest Horizon School Division values the safety and wellbeing of our workers and will work with them to provide every reasonable safety measure possible. In pursuit of our high safety standards and in compliance with federal and provincial compliance regulations, Southwest Horizon School Division will provide WHMIS 2015 training for workers. WHMIS 2015 is an update of the previous chemical hazard system, WHMIS 1 and incorporates elements of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

To access WHMIS 2015 Training please contact Deanna Kowalchuk, Workplace Safety and Health Officer. 

Definitions

GHS – Globally Harmonized System

SDS – Safety Data Sheet

Guidelines

WHMIS 2015 includes the new harmonized criteria for hazard classification and establishes the requirements for labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). The roles and responsibilities for suppliers, employers and workers remain those established under WHMIS 1988.

As such, Southwest Horizon School Division will ensure that:

• The Southwest Horizon School Division is up to date on all WHMIS 2015 changes and any applicable transitional timelines

• All legislative standards are met

• Workers and managers are provided with information and training on hazardous materials and the safe use of hazardous products in the workplace (see the section below on the Training and Education Program)

• All containers holding hazardous materials have appropriate labels

• SDSs are up to date, accessible and contain additional hazard and precautionary information

• All workplace hazardous materials include supplier labels

• Suppliers provide the appropriate supplier labels and SDSs; and

• Control measures are in place to protect the Safety and Health of workers.

Training and Education Program

Southwest Horizon School Division shall provide appropriate WHMIS 2015 training and education for all workers and managers who are exposed or likely to be exposed to hazardous materials in the performance of their regular job duties.

Southwest Horizon School Division shall consult the Joint Safety and Health Committee to ensure the appropriateness of the training and education materials and programs.

The worker training and education program shall include information on the following:

• Supplier labels

• Hazard symbols and pictograms

• Safety data sheets (SDSs)

• Hazard groups

• Hazard classes

• Hazard categories

• Hazard statements

• Signal words; and

• Procedures for:

1. The safe use, storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials in the workplace;

2. Handling leaks and spills;

3. An emergency event involving hazardous products; and

4. Worksite-specific training on measures for working safely with hazardous products.

Southwest Horizon School Division will review its training and education program and content annually and revise as necessary. In the event of any changes, workers will be retrained and educated.

Southwest Horizon School Division workers will be compensated for time spent at training sessions, considered to be normal work time and paid at their regular rate of pay or at an overtime rate of pay as applicable.

Southwest Horizon School Division will respect the right of workers to be consulted regarding the development and implementation of the instruction and training and will open the discussion process to suggestions in a consultation period. Workers will be provided with an opportunity to comment on:

• The content of the program

• The amount of training

• Who is to receive what kind of training; and

• Who will deliver the training program.

Worker Responsibilities

Workers are required to:

• Participate in WHMIS 2015 training and education

• Report any violation of safe work procedures connected to WHMIS 2015 to their immediate supervisor or safety representative; and

• Inform their immediate supervisor, manager or safety representative in the event that they do not have the proper information on a controlled product. (Example: the SDS is missing, damaged or illegible.)

Supplier Responsibilities

Suppliers are required to:

• Identify if their products are hazardous products; and

• Prepare labels and SDSs to provide to purchasers of hazardous products intended for use in a workplace.

Acknowledgement and Agreement

I, _____________________________________acknowledge that I have read and understand the WHMIS 2015 Compliance Administrative procedure of Southwest Horizon School Division. Further, I agree to adhere to this administrative procedure and will ensure that employees working under my direction adhere to this administrative procedure. I understand that if I violate the rules/procedures outlined in this administrative procedure, I may face corrective action, up to and including termination of employment.

Name:                      ______________________________

Signature:                ______________________________

Date:                         ______________________________

Witness:                   ______________________________