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Pan-Canadian WHMIS Hazard Communication Symposium
February 8 & 9, 2007
Ottawa, Canada
Program and Objectives
A 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;" (ref.: Canada Gazette).
The two-day symposium includes presentations, workshops and panel discussions from regulators, academia, and others involved in the delivery of hazard communication in relation to WHMIS objectives.
A key desired outcome of the meeting is the identification of priorities and strategies to improve WHMIS hazard communication in a concerted and integrated effort to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases from occupational exposures.
Day 1 Thursday, February 8, 2007
8:30 - 8:35
Welcome and Opening Remarks
D. Bideshi - Chief, National Office of WHMIS (NOW)
Session 1:
Primary Prevention of Occupational Chronic Diseases – Role of Hazard Communication?
Chair: M. Nicholas - Section Head, National Compliance Coordination, NOW
8:35 - 8:50
Introduction to the Sessions - Expectations, Goals and Desired Outcomes for Day 1
M. Nicholas - Section Head, National Compliance Coordination, NOW
8:50 - 9:10
The Role of Hazard Communication in the Diagnosis And Treatment of Occupational Disease
G. Liss - Medical Consultant, Operations Division, Occupational Health and Safety Branch, Ontario Ministry of Labour
9:10 - 9:40
CCOHS' Forum 2005 on Occupational Disease – Canadian Feedback
L. Davison - Manager, Chemical Services, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
9:40 - 10:00
Primary Prevention Action Group of The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control
L. Stoffman - Chair, National Committee on Environmental and Occupational Exposures, United Food and Commercial Workers Union
10:00-10:20
Coffee Break
10:20-11:00
Prevention of work-related chronic diseases due to occupational exposures:
Research into Practice; and
Communication and Information Dissemination
DeLon Hull - Associate Director for Research & Technology Transfer, NIOSH
11:00-11:20
Question Period
M. Nicholas - Section Head, National Compliance Coordination, NOW
Session 2:
Enhancing the effectiveness of the National WHMIS Compliance Program: Perspectives
Chair: M. Hussain - Vice-President, Operations Branch, HMIRC
11:20-11:40
WHMIS Compliance: Building Bridges
M. Denhoff - Corporate Health & Safety Advisor, Health Safety & Environment, Talisman Energy, Inc.
11:40-12:00
Industry, Supplier perspective / initiatives – e.g., Responsible Care program to be confirmed
12:00-12:20
Industry, Employer (user) Perspective Canadian Vehicle Manufactures' Association
12:20-12:30
Question Period
M. Hussain - Vice-President, Operations Branch, HMIRC
12:30-1:30
Lunch provided
Session 3:
Improving the quality of hazard information and the accuracy,sufficiency and timeliness of hazard communication
Chair: B. Whiting - Senior Project Manager, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
MSDS Writer and Evaluator software application
B. Whiting - Senior Project Manager, Canadian Centre for Occupational, Health and Safety (CCOHS)
2:10-2:30
CAREX (Information System on Occupational Exposure to Carcinogens) Project
P. Demers - Associate Professor, School of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, UBC
2:30-2:50
WHMIS Surveillance and Sampling & Testing (Evidence-based Compliance and Enforcement)
L. El Bilali - A/Section Head, National Compliance Coordination, NOW
2:50-3:00
Question Period
B. Whiting - Senior Project Manager, Canadian Centre for Occupational, Health and Safety (CCOHS)
3:00-3:20
Coffee Break
3:20-4:00
Preview of Day 2 & Closing
M. Nicholas - Section Head, National Compliance Coordination, NOW
4:00-5:00
Meeting of Workshops' Moderators and Facilitators
L. El Bilali - A/Section Head, National Compliance Coordination, NOW
Day 2 Friday, February 9, 2007
8:30-8:45
Review of day 1
C. Murray - Senior Manager, Provincial Programs & Technical Services, Program Design Division, Worksafe BC
8:45-9:00
Expectations, Goals and Desired Outcomes for Day 2
M. Hussain - Vice-President, Operations Branch, HMIRC
9:00-9:20
The interlocking nature of the F/P/T WHMIS legislative framework Discussion (All Participants)
9:20-9:40
Provincial Work Safe Programs
D. Clarke - Alberta Government
9:40-10:10
Panel Discussion: Towards Long-term Sustainable WHMIS Compliance
M. Nicholas - Section Head, National Compliance Coordination, NOW
10:10-10:25
Coffee Break
10:25-10:35
Plenary - Group discussion themes, expectations, goals, outcomes of workshops
M. Nicholas - Section Head, National Compliance Coordination, NOW
