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What was the impetus for this meeting?
Adverse health outcomes have implications for all Canadians. The rationale for the establishment of WHMIS was that "it should lead to greater allocative efficiency in the economy..." including the prevention of injury and illness, reduction in medical costs and lost production.
Workers, regulators and regulated parties share a common goal and will mutually benefit in using an integrated approach in meeting the objectives of WHMIS. This meeting will provide an opportunity for WHMIS stakeholders to share their experiences and work together to set new objectives as the program approaches its 20th anniversary and prepares for transition to the Globally Harmonized System.
When is the meeting? And where?
Feb 8-9, 2007. Dow's Lake Court Conference Centre, 865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Who is hosting the meeting?
The National Office of WHMIS (NOW) is hosting the meeting, in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and safety (CCOHS) and the Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission (HMIRC).
What is the focus of the meeting?
The focus will be on the following areas:
- Primary prevention of chronic disease arising from occupational exposure through hazard communication
- WHMIS compliance; and
- Labels and MSDSs – quality of health and safety information disclosed
Who is being invited?
Invitees include representatives from:
- Federal, provincial and territorial governments (as well as NIOSH)
- WHMIS suppliers/importers
- Employer and labour groups
- Academia
Will a list of participants be made public?
The list of participants will be posted on this site prior to the meeting. As of January 2007 all WHMIS F/P/T regulatory authorities and NIOSH amongst others have confirmed their participation.
What are the purpose, objectives and desired outcomes of the symposium?
- The primary purpose of the symposium is to engage stakeholders in developing strategies for enhancing the stated objectives of WHMIS, i.e., "to ensure the protection of Canadian workers from the adverse effects of hazardous materials through the provision of relevant information while minimizing the economic impact on industry and the disruption of trade;" (Canada Gazette).
- A key objective is to develop a charter for a WHMIS MSDS Compliance Working Group and the role of the group in identifying strategies to improve the quality and accuracy of health and safety information and the accuracy, sufficiency and timeliness of hazard communication.
- Finally, a key desired outcome of the meeting is the identification of strategies to improve WHMIS hazard communication in a concerted and integrated effort to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases from occupational exposures.
Who will be the speakers and on what subjects?
A preliminary program is posted on this website.
I did not receive my email due to the holiday break - may I agree to attend at a later date?
Yes. The new deadline is January 25, 2007
Where can I get further information?
Invitees will be emailed further information and will be able to access a Web site to download a draft agenda, background information and other meeting resources.
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