Resolve Recruit Responds to Canada’s Transition to Globally Harmonized System of Classification of Chemicals

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Resolve Recruit (www.resolverecruit.com), a leading provider of recruiting services across the Greater Toronto Area, is commenting on Canada’s transition to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

The new standard, when fully implemented, will be an internationally consistent set of labels for hazardous materials that will improve workplace safety across borders. GHS was designed during a Rio 1992 conference, but it has taken until recently for the full standards of implementation to be devised. In Canada, the implementation is being undertaken as part of the amended Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and is dubbed WHMIS 2015.

“Overall, most employers and employees will not be seeing too many differences,” explains Kim Muir, the Managing Director of Resolve Recruit. “Most of the content in the original 1988 WHMIS is present in some form in WHMIS 2015.”

According to Muir, there are three primary differences between the new 2015 implementation and the prior 1988 model. New or altered hazard pictograms will better communicate dangerous materials, hazards not present in WHMIS 1988 will be identified and included, and the safety data sheets will be more detailed.

“What employers and employees have learned under WHMIS until now will remain useful and valid. It is best to think of the 2015 update as an add-on rather than a change,” notes Muir.

Implementation of WHMIS 2015 is being carried out in three phases, slated to finish on December 1, 2018.

“Right now, employers are able to choose whether to abide by the 1988 or the 2015 WHMIS requirements and training practices,” Muir adds. “Whichever is decided upon, however, must be followed in full. An ‘a-la carte’ approach is not allowed by the legislation.”

Employers have until the final 2018 deadline to make the transition to the 2015 WHMIS practices. The manufacturers, importers, and distributors of hazardous materials face earlier deadlines under the implementation criteria, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

Resolve Recruit, Inc. is one of the leading employment agencies in Mississauga. They match skilled workers with a variety of businesses for both temporary and direct hire positions. More information about their business and workplace information can be found on their website at www.resolverecruit.com or by contacting them at sales@resolverecruit.com or (905) 568-8828.