British Columbia
WorkSafeBC is dedicated to promoting workplace health and safety for the workers and employers of British Columbia. WorkSafeBC is charged with administering British Columbia's Workers' Compensation Act and enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
WHMIS requirements in British Columbia outline employer responsibilities for a WHMIS program which requires labels and SDSs (formerly MSDSs), as well as worker education and training. The current regulations have been in force since 1988. WorkSafeBC prevention officers have also been designated as federal WHMIS officers to enforce the federal WHMIS requirements from the Hazardous Product Act and associated regulations.
WHMIS Status
Current Regulation and Guidelines
Sections 5.3 to 5.19 of British Columbia's OHS Regulation, the WHMIS Requirements, apply to employers and workers in British Columbia with respect to controlled products used, stored or handled at a workplace.
Guidelines G5.3-1 to G5.15, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), provide additional clarification and are intended to assist in the application and interpretation of the Workers' Compensation Act and OHS Regulation.
Effective August 4, 2015, the regulatory amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation relating to WHMIS 2015 came into effect.