John: And this goes for everybody in the same situation even outside Alberta.
First, kudos for even asking the Q. The fact of the matter is that many offices don’t provide WHMIS training to their workers even though they are exposed to controlled products–which, BTW, are now referred to as “hazardous products”–like cleaners, ink cartridges, etc.
Second point: If you had to provide WHMIS training to a worker under the old rules, you also have to do so under GHS. In other words, GHS doesn’t change the scope of workers requiring training, just the substance of what they must be trained in, i.e., the new SDS (as opposed to the now being phased out MSDS), new GHS labels and pictograms and GHS hazard classification.
Incidentally, the deadline for GHS training has passed. So if you haven’t already, you better make sure your exposed workers get their GHS training really fast–and certainly before the new GHS employer rules take effect Dec. 1, 2018.
Thanks and sorry for taking so long to reply.
Glenn Demby, 203 354-4532