ASPHALTopics | Summer 2014 | VOL 27 | NO3

ENVIRONMENT
COMMITTEE
A commitment to quality and a
strong local presence.
Dufferin Aggregates, a division of Holcim
(Canada) Inc., is a leading supplier of aggregates
for the construction industry in the Greater
Toronto Area and adjacent municipalities.
We are a solid partner for customers and
stakeholders based on the integrity and
competence of our people, our decades of
experience with delivering results, and the
backing of a global industry leader. We demand
excellence and continuously search for new and
better ways to provide the best solutions for
customers and all stakeholders.
We care about and are personally committed
to doing the right thing for our employees
and their families, for our customers, for the
communities where we live and work and for
the natural environment.
www.dufferinrockstar.com
Strength. Performance. Passion.
62 OHMPA | ASPHALTOPICS
GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION
AND LABELLING OF CHEMICALS (GHS)
Health Canada has announced that Canada will
be implementing the Globally Harmonized System
of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
GHS is a standardized system for defining, classifying,
and communicating health and safety information on
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and labels for chemicals.
GHS provides:
1. Standardized criteria for classifying chemicals according
to their physical, health, and environmental hazards
2. Standardized 16 section Safety Data Sheet (Material
Safety Data Sheets or MSDS are called SDS under GHS)
3. Standardized wording and symbols to communicate
hazards on labels used to identify chemicals
Many of the current responsibilities under WHMIS will remain
in place when GHS comes into effect. Suppliers, importers,
and producers will need to classify hazardous products,
prepare SDS and labels, and provide this information to
customers. Employers will need to train workers on hazards
and the safe use of products, properly label hazardous
materials, provide workplace SDS and labels, and provide
appropriate controls to protect workers. Employees
will need to participate in WHMIS and related training,
participate in the identification and control of hazards, and
take appropriate steps to protect themselves and coworkers.
Implementation of GHS will result in changes to federally
and provincially regulated WHMIS laws. Health Canada’s
target is to have updated federally regulated WHMIS laws
in place by June 1, 2015 with the expectation that provinces
will then follow suit with amendments to provincial WHMIS
regulations. The Hazardous Products Act (HPA) received
Royal Assent in June 2014. This was followed by the
publication of proposed Hazardous Products Regulations
(HPR) in the Canada Gazette Part I in August 2014. The
proposed HPR are currently in a consultation period with
the expectation that the final regulations will be published
in the Canada Gazette Part II in the latter part of 2014
or in early 2015. The expectation is that Canada’s laws
will be substantially harmonized with those of the United
States, Europe, and other regions who have or are currently
implementing GHS which will simplify trade between
economic regions.
Further information and references to resources which can
assist in preparation for GHS implementation can be found
at http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/ghs.html