A Guide to WHMIS
If you are employee, you face the risk of being injured in the workplace. Right training and education can help employees avoid injuries in the workplace. One form of training that can help employees avoid potential injuries at work is by undergoing WHMIS training.
WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. The hazardous materials included here are all materials including chemicals and gases found in the workplace. With this system injury is avoided, and the environment is assured of protection. The way that people handling hazardous chemicals are kept safe is by teaching them how to handle and dispose of dangerous materials and how to read safety labels.
It is important for workers to get WHMIS training because this is the one that can help protect their health and the health of the workplace. There are many different kinds of chemicals found in different workplaces. And these chemicals have different side effects. The reason why these chemicals have different handling requirements is because they damage that they can cause are also different. Knowing how to handle these materials is not the only thing involved in WHMIS. Employees are educated in different situations including how to avoid contact with chemicals but also how to deal with exposure to toxic chemicals that can cause respiratory and other health problems. This training also involves how to clean and dispose of materials in specific ways. These regulations can help employees avoid risks and prepare for potentially dangerous situations.
The basics across all WHMIS regulations remain the same. It is important for dangerous materials to be labelled. There is a regulation of continuous training on labels and potential hazards. The maintenance of material safety data sheets or MSDS is part of the WHMIS.
If a workplace contains or use products that have WHMIS symbols and labels, then their employees need to have training. Under federal regulations, it is the employers who are legally required to provide the training for their employees. If an employee is exposed to these materials and can come in contact with them, then he is required to undergo training. There is no need to undergo training if an employees work does not involve these hazards. YOU need to be trained as a new employee even you are already WHMIS certified. Every workplace has their own specific training.
WHMIS training consist of general training and site-specific training. In general training, employees are educated on labeling and symbols on hazardous materials and substances. Reading labels is important for employees.
This general training can also be taken online. In this online training, employees are updated on WHMIS regulations and labels. Site-specific training is not covered online.
Site-specific training involves the specific workplace of an employee. It describes what substances are being used and how to handle them safely. Disposing of chemicals and how to deal with emergency situations are also taught.
WHMIS training makes your employees become safe and well prepared for this tasks.
Featured post: have a peek here