WHMIS Regulatory Updates and Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A product previously exempt from WHMIS as a 'manufactured article' must now be labeled if it meets which condition under WHMIS 2015?
- It is sold to consumers rather than businesses
- It releases a hazardous product during use under normal conditions (Correct answer)
- It contains more than 1% of any hazardous ingredient
- It is imported from outside Canada
Correct answer: It releases a hazardous product during use under normal conditions
Under WHMIS 2015, a manufactured article loses its exemption if it releases or may release a hazardous product under normal conditions of use.
Question 2: Which of the following correctly describes a WHMIS 2015 'hazardous product' that is exempt from WHMIS requirements?
- A cleaning solvent used in a manufacturing plant
- A wood dust generated from cutting lumber on-site
- A consumer product used in the same manner as household use (Correct answer)
- An aerosol lubricant purchased for workplace machinery
Correct answer: A consumer product used in the same manner as household use
Consumer products used in a workplace in the same manner and frequency as household use are exempt from WHMIS requirements.
Question 3: Under WHMIS 2015, which section of a Safety Data Sheet addresses first-aid measures?
- Section 2
- Section 4 (Correct answer)
- Section 6
- Section 8
Correct answer: Section 4
Section 4 of a WHMIS 2015 Safety Data Sheet is dedicated to first-aid measures, describing what to do after potential exposure.
Question 4: Which WHMIS 2015 hazard class covers both flammable gases and pyrophoric gases?
- Class A — Compressed gases
- Flammable gases (GHS Physical Hazard Class 2) (Correct answer)
- Oxidizing gases
- Gases under pressure
Correct answer: Flammable gases (GHS Physical Hazard Class 2)
Under WHMIS 2015, flammable gases is a physical hazard class that includes both flammable and pyrophoric gases as hazard categories.
Question 5: An employer receives a new hazardous product but the supplier SDS is three years old. What does WHMIS 2015 require of the employer?
- Replace the SDS with a new one from Health Canada's database
- Ensure the SDS is still current and request an updated one from the supplier if needed (Correct answer)
- Discard the product until a current SDS is received
- Have a qualified chemist re-verify the SDS accuracy
Correct answer: Ensure the SDS is still current and request an updated one from the supplier if needed
Employers must ensure SDSs are current; if an SDS is outdated or may have changed, the employer should request an updated SDS from the supplier.
Question 6: Which provincial/territorial body typically enforces WHMIS requirements in non-federally regulated workplaces?
- Health Canada
- Provincial/territorial occupational health and safety (OHS) authority (Correct answer)
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
Correct answer: Provincial/territorial occupational health and safety (OHS) authority
In non-federally regulated workplaces, WHMIS is enforced by provincial or territorial occupational health and safety (OHS) authorities.
Question 7: Under WHMIS 2015, how many physical hazard classes are recognized in total?
- 9
- 14
- 17 (Correct answer)
- 22
Correct answer: 17
WHMIS 2015 recognizes 17 physical hazard classes, adopted from the GHS framework, covering hazards such as flammables, explosives, and oxidizers.
WHMIS Regulatory Updates and Compliance 3
A product previously exempt from WHMIS as a 'manufactured article' must now be labeled if it meets which condition under WHMIS 2015?