The Ministry of Labour has brought forward its scheduled inspection blitz on chemical hazardous materials from November to September 2009. Inspectors will expect to be shown evidence that your staff have received training on recognizing, assessing and controlling hazards related to the safe storage and handling of chemicals at your workplace. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your workplace has conducted a hazard assessment of your chemical hazards.
The Chemical Hazard blitz will be focued on all businesses likely to have chemical hazards however emphasis will be placed on the following:
Ministry of Labour
MOL Press Release - Find out about the MOL's current focus on Chemical hazards in the workplace and what specific chemical hazards they will be focusing on.
MOL Chemical Hazards Backgrounder - Learn who, how and why the MOL is targeting on the chemical hazards blitz and how you can prepare your company if an inspector comes knocking.
Partner Sites
Farm Safety Assocation (FSA) - FSA provides health & safety information, resources and assistance to all firms involved int he agricultural, horticultural and landscaping industries. Please click the above link to access their website materials.
Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) - IAPA provides a wide range of health & safety resources that relate directly to chemical hazards, hazardous materials and developing safe work practices and procedures around these and other hazards, Please click on the above link to access a complete list of IAPA chemical hazard-related information, resources, products and services.
Resources & Information
Using Chemicals - This free one-page .pdf information checksheet will provide you with some basic information to post on your Health & Safety Bulletin Board or at appropriate places in your workplace. Click to download (.pdf file, 163 kb).
Six Step Guide to Health & Safety - Visit this section of the OSSA website and get some basics around what you need to have in place to protect your employees. If you are a small business (under 20 full-time employees), be sure to visit OSSA's Small Business Resource Centre.
Chemicals & Materials - For firms with swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, or theraputic pools, proper handling and procedures for chemicals can be a significant hazard. The following resource links from the Canadian Centre of Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS) are recommended:
What Makes Chemicals Poisonous?
Safe chemical handling in the automotive sector
Removing and storing fuel tanks
OSSA Products & Services
Contact OSSA to learn how your staff could complete the chemical hazards module as part of their Certification Part 2 training or to order products related to safe handling of chemicals. Call OSSA's client services line at 1-888-478-6772
Order OSSA's Chemical Hazards Workbook
Order OSSA's WHMIS Digital product
