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INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION. OF WHMIS. ANNUAL MEETING OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR LABOUR March 2006 Presentation by: Yves Brissette, CSST, Québec. The WHMIS. W orkplace H azardous M aterials I nformation S ystem. Background. 1981 – CAALL Initiative 1982 – WHMIS Steering Committee
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INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION OF WHMIS ANNUAL MEETING OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR LABOUR March 2006 Presentation by: Yves Brissette, CSST, Québec
The WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
Background 1981 – CAALL Initiative 1982 – WHMIS Steering Committee 1985 – Steering Committee Report 1987 – Ministers of Labour adopt WHMIS 1988 – Enactment of laws and regulations
Consensus of theSteering Committee Three pillars • Identify dangers • Classification criteria • Inform workers and employers • Labels • Material safety data sheets • Worker training and education • Protect trade secrets
The WHMIS, is… • Coordinating federal and provincial acts and regulations • that link the selling and importing of dangerous goods • to the provision of preventative information through • labels • material safety data sheets, and • Worker training and education • for both employers and workers
Legislative FrameworkFederal component • Hazardous Products Act • Obligations of suppliers and importers • Controlled Products Regulations • Scientific criteria • Classification system • Labels • Material safety data sheets
Legislative Framework Federal component • Hazardous Materials Information Review Act • The Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission (HMIRC) • Protecting trade secrets • Guaranteeing workers’ right to know
Legislative Framework Provincial/territorial component • Occupational Health and Safety Acts • WHMIS Model OSH Regulation • Federal / provincial / territorial consensus • Tripartite consultation • Obligations of employers • Training and education of workers
National consistency • Memoranda of understanding between the federal government and each provincial / territorial government • Inspection of the HPA • Claims for exemptions by employers
National consistency • Current Issues Committee (industry, unions, governments) • Intergovernmental Co-ordinating Committee • Council of governors of the HMIRC (industry, unions, governments)
National consistency • Acts and regulations • Policies and guidelines • Strategic planning • Technical issues
1992– The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development Chapitre 19 of Angenda 21 "A globally harmonized hazard classification and compatible labelling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, should be available, if feasible, by the year 2000." International HarmonizationBackground
International HarmonizationBackground • Canadian regulatory framework (WHMIS, pesticides, consumers, TDG) • Major role by ILO, OECD and the United Nations TDG Committee • Consultation with numerous stakeholders • 1993 – WHMIS CIC task force on international harmonization (tripartite)
International HarmonizationBackground • 2002 – The UN Economic and Social Council adopts the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) • 2002 – World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg) • GHS to be implemented by 2008 • Action Plan signed by Canada
International Harmonization What is the GHS? • Global WHMIS • Scientific classification criteria • Labels • Material Safety Data Sheets • Without trade secret protection mechanisms • National discretion / guidelines
International Harmonization Implementation of the GHS 2002 – NAALC (work begins) 2006– Asia Pacific Economic Council 2006 – Europe 2008 – Canada 2008 – United Nations • Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
International Harmonization Canadian work Federal component 2003 – Work begins • GHS General Issues Committee • Trans-sectoral harmonization • Pesticides • Transport of Dangerous Goods • Consumers • WHMIS
International Harmonization Canadian work Federal component • WHMIS Current Issues Committee • Coordination by Health Canada • Regulatory requirements (CPR) • Classification criteria completed • Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets on going • Amendments to CPR targeted for 2007
International Harmonization Canadian work Provincial / territorial component • CAALL agreement in principle - 2005 • Coordination by Québec on behalf of CAALL – since october • Draft proposals on amendments to WHMIS Model OSH Regulation - 2006 • WHMIS Model OSH Regulation to be adopted by CAALL - 2007
International Harmonization To come… • Technical and legal levels • Complete harmonization work • Label and MSDS • Regulatory drafts • Various sectors • Coordinate the two components • Controlled Products Regulations • Model OSH Regulation
International Harmonization To come… • Political level • Formal agreement to harmonize OSH acts and regulations • Legislative and regulatory changes plan • Memoranda of understandings
International Harmonization For the moment… Labour Ministers will want to consider supporting federal / provincial / territorial cooperation as part of the efforts to harmonize WHMIS and the GHS