WHMIS Supplier Label Inspection Checklist

INTRODUCTION: HOW TO USE THIS TOOL

WHMIS requires employers to ensure that hazardous products used in the workplace have a proper supplier label. The new GHS rules keep supplier labels in place but give them a makeover with regard to format and required information. By December 1, 2018, all hazardous products will require one of these new labels and you should already be receiving them from your chemical suppliers. Use this Checklist to ensure that all supplier labels comply with the GHS rules’or that the labels you prepare do so if you prepare supplier labels yourself.

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Inspection Checklist: GHS Supplier Labels

Instructions: Vet all shipments of hazardous products from suppliers of hazardous to ensure they include a thorough, proper and up to date supplier label for each hazardous product contained in the shipment. This Checklist may also be used to inspect existing supplier labels used to ensure they are up to date and include all of the required information.

Are all supplier labels written in English and French, either as one label or in separate labels’ [ ] YES [ ] NO

Do all supplier labels contain all of the required information below:

Sect.	Heading	Description of Required Information
1	Product Identifier	Hazardous product’s brand name, chemical name, common name, generic name or trade name
2	Initial Supplier Identifier	Name, address and telephone number of either the Canadian manufacturer or Canadian importer(1)
3	Pictogram(s)	Hazard symbol within a red square set on one of its points
4	Signal Word	Word used to alert the reader to a potential hazard and to indicate the severity of the hazard’either ‘Danger’ for high risk hazards, or ‘Warning’ for less severe hazards
5	Hazard Statement(s)	Standardized phrases describing the nature of the hazard a hazardous product poses, e.g.: Extremely flammable gas Fatal if inhaled Causes eye irritation ay cause cancer
6	Precautionary Statement(s)	Standardized phrases describing measures to be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to or improper handling or storage of a hazardous product, e.g.: Keep container tightly closed Protect from sunlight Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection If exposed, get medical advice/attention Fight fire remotely due to explosion risk
7	Supplemental Label Information	May be required based on hazardous product’s classification, e.g.: Percentage of the ingredient(s) with unknown toxicity for a mixture containing ingredients with unknown toxicity in amounts higher than or equal to 1% Supplementary information about precautionary actions Hazards not yet included in the GHS Physical state Route of exposure

Note
(1) Rule: Initial supplier identifier generally means the name, address and telephone number of either the Canadian manufacturer or Canadian importer. Exception 1: If a hazardous product is being sold by a distributor, the distributor may replace the name, address and telephone number of the initial supplier with its own contact information. Exception 2: If an importer imports a hazardous product for use in its own workplace in Canada, i.e., the importer isn’t selling the hazardous product), the importer may retain the name, address and telephone number of the foreign supplier on the SDS instead of replacing it with its own contact information.