HAMILTON, ON - December 31, 2008 - The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) will deliver a one hour webinar on the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), on January 7, 2009.
Countries around the world have implemented various systems for the classification and hazard communication of chemicals. In Canada, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is the national workplace chemical hazard communication program. Recognizing the benefits of standardized, consistent communication, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) agreed in 1992 to develop "a globally harmonized hazard classification and compatible labelling system," known as GHS.
Canada is now moving forward with implementing GHS in Canada. GHS will change the way products are classified, and will standardize supplier labels, material safety data sheet (MSDS) format and content requirements. GHS is expected to improve the protection of workers and the environment, increase chemical safety, boost efficiency, and reduce trade barriers.
An Update on GHS Implementation Planning in WHMIS will be presented by Abbey Klugerman, Head of Legislative, Regulatory & International Affairs at Health Canada's National WHMIS Office . This webinar will cover:
The scope of Canada's WHMIS program and its consensus process. The impact of the GHS on WHMIS. The development and status of transition plans to the GHS in WHMIS. The presentation will be webcast live Wednesday, January 7, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time from CCOHS in Hamilton, Ontario. A recording of the webinar will also be available on the CCOHS website following the event.
For more information on how to register, visit the CCOHS website.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Eleanor Westwood, Manager of Communications
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
(905) 572-2981, Ext. 4408 Email: eleanorw@ccohs.ca
Please visit www.ccohs-cchst.ca
About CCOHS
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), a Canadian federal government agency based in Hamilton, Ontario is Canada's national resource for the advancement of workplace health and safety. CCOHS promotes the total well-being - physical, psychosocial and mental health - of working Canadians by providing information, training, education, management systems and solutions that support health and safety programs and the prevention of injury and illness. CCOHS partners and collaborates with agencies and organizations from Canada and around the world to improve the quality and quantity of resources and programs, as well as expand the breadth of usage of occupational health information to many different segments of society.
