U.S. vs. Canada Requirements

U.S. vs. Canada Requirements

Both the U.S. and Canadian systems are based on the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), but there are some key differences workers must understand.

The Standards

The Differences

The Similarities

• OSHA primarily requires English on labels and SDSs where as WHMIS mandates that labels and SDSs be available in both English and French.
• OSHA Has broader hazard classifications with specific rules for substances like carcinogens category 1 where as WHMIS features more specific subclasses of carcinogens.

• Both countries and systems have fully adopted the Globally Harmonized System.
• Both require a consistent system for classifying chemical hazards, a consistent format for safety data sheets (SDSs), and standardized labels that use pictograms to depict hazards, specific wording to inform workers of hazards, and information on how to protect against those hazards.

• In the United States OSHA is responsible for creating and monitoring the hazard communication standard. his was recently updated where the U.S. adopted GHS.
• In Canada, each province or territory is responsible for enforcing the Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) This was also updated to adopt GHS as well.

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