Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS, known as SIMDUT, Système d’information sur les matières dangereuses utilisées au travail in the other national language) is Canadas national hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system, which came into effect on Oct 31.1988 are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS controlled products, the provision of material safety data sheet (MSDSs) and worker education and training programs.
WHMIS is an example of synchronization and cooperation amongst Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments. The coordinated approach avoided duplication, inefficiency through loss of scale and the interprovincial trade barriers that would have been created had each province and territory established its own hazard communication system.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHMIS
Other Information: http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/WHMIS/Home.asp