Hazardous Materials News, Regulations & Blog

Ensuring the safety of workers and maintaining compliance with safety regulations is paramount. With increased workplace hazards and environmental concerns, businesses must prioritize chemical safety.

Transport Canada has been working on a revision of Part 6 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR) for several years now.

On July 19, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States published an update to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).

The Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation is the European Union regulation defining the rules that must be respected for hazardous products in Europe, whether they are industrial products or those made available to the public. This regulation uses the classification of the UN Globally Harmonized System.

Whether in Canada under the CCCR, in the United States under the CPSC or Europe under the CLP, child-resistant containers are an important regulatory element in the sale of hazardous consumer products.

The changes brought to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HSC) in 2024 were very substantial since the HCS has always been an essential guide for any regulatory provisions concerning workplace safety. HCS remains relevant as US Businesses and Industries respond to these changes. Knowing the most recent compliance demands and strategies to foster a safer workplace for your employees is a plus for US businesses and industries utilizing OSHA and HCS.

Understanding carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic chemical agents (CMR): what they are and how to manage their risks in the workplace

Health Canada held a multilateral workshop on the CCCR on November 7, 2024. The goal is to amend the CCCR regulations to better protect consumers and workers.

Businesses and industries rely on chemicals for countless tasks. However, chemical spills pose significant safety risks to every person in the workplace. These spills can harm workers, ruin equipment, and damage the environment. Even a small accident can lead to major problems if not handled well.

It is imperative that workers understand safety procedures in today's hectic work environment. In Canada, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is essential to upholding safety regulations in a variety of sectors. WHMIS training has moved from traditional classroom settings to online platforms with the introduction of technology. Numerous advantages have resulted from this change, including increased accessibility, effectiveness, and efficiency of WHMIS training online. Let's explore the benefits of online WHMIS safety training and discover why so many businesses choose it.

SDSs are commonly employed to ensure occupational safety and regulatory compliance in today’s safety-conscious world. They provide essential information regarding hazardous chemicals used in the workplace, such as possible dangers, ways of handling them safely, and what to do during emergencies.

To get rid of your residual hazardous materials, do you take a turnkey service (classification of your products, packaging, labelling, completed documentation) from a company specializing in waste management?

To understand the difference:

Do you need to send electronic devices containing lithium batteries for calibration? For repairs? To a new employee? Do you bring electronics on your travels?

Read on for all the answers!

Lithium batteries are a recurring problem for Sorting Centers and Ecocentres. In this article, discover the little things you can do to reduce the risk of accidents.

How many lithium batteries do you have at home? At work? For the most part, you are probably unable to give an exact number. Indeed, you would be surprised at the number of devices that contain lithium batteries. Read on to fully understand the dangers of your batteries.

When classifying a mixture, several criteria must be considered. Adding up the hazards of each ingredient is not enough. The classification of a mix is much more complex than the simple addition of its constituent parts. We need to go beyond simply enforcing regulations. We should perform physical tests to support our decisions. Ask yourself: Did my ingredients react? Has neutralization occurred? Is substance X still bioaccessible?

For decades, titanium dioxide and carbon black have not been unanimously accepted in terms of classification.

Despite the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), recently in Europe, a formal challenge in court has taken place.

Dilemma or misunderstanding? Read more

Do you encounter chemicals in your workplace? Do you need to produce safety data sheets (SDS) or labels as part of your job?

Changes to the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) may affect you.

1. Here is our article 2 of 2 on volatile organic compounds and the new regulations. In this article, you will not only find the important dates to remember to comply with the new VOC regulations, but the possible alternatives. The Regulations limiting the concentration of volatile organic compounds in certain products will come into force on January 1, 2023 to provide one year for permit applications and the accumulation of compliance units before the limits applicable to the products come into force.

This has been expected for several years, with the effects of climate change and after the enforcement of regulations limiting the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in architectural coatings and automotive finishing products, Environment Canada has finally filed the Regulations limiting the concentration of volatile organic compounds in certain products: SOR/2021-26. Consumer product manufacturers, watch the dates!

What to do to maintain your business advantage if your critical ingredients are classified as hazardous to health in your safety data sheet? You have two options:

• Apply for a paid waiver under the HMIRA
• Use concentration ranges

Why choose an exemption?

On June 25th, 2022, Transport Canada published in the Gazette I, its proposal to amend the TDGR, adding a new obligation. Businesses will have to register on the registration database and renew their registration annually.