Ontario

Ontario

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) develops and administers Ontario's legislative and regulatory policy and requirements that implement WHMIS.

The MOL Occupational Health and Safety Inspectors and Occupational Hygienists enforce provincial WHMIS requirements in Ontario.

MOL Occupational Hygienists are also designated by Health Canada as Inspectors under the federal Hazardous Products Act, to enforce it and its associated regulations in workplaces in Ontario.

WHMIS Status

Current WHMIS Requirements

Occupational Health and Safety Act

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Regulation (as amended)

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Regulation (prior to amendment)

Ontario has amended the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the WHMIS Regulation to adopt new, international standards that are part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The changes reflect recent amendments to the federal Hazardous Products Act and new Hazardous Products Regulations.

The new requirements come into effect July 1, 2016. There is a transition period – until December 1, 2018 – to phase out the old requirements. During the transition, both the old and the new requirements are in effect.

For more information see FAQs: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System 2015.

Communications

More detailed information about the transition to WHMIS 2015 and on enforcement is available on the Ministry of Labour’s web site at: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/faqs/whmis2015.php.

Resources