Recently, the Government of Canada has announced new Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations as part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). These new regulations will help protect Canadian workers who use, handle and store hazardous products in the workplace by ensuring QHSE standards and regulations are consistent both across Canada and internationally.
The new QHSE regulations will align Canada’s classification and labelling of workplace chemicals with international standards, making hazard information consistent between Canada and its key trading partners such as the EU, Australia, China, Japan and South Korea. Consistent standards for workplace hazardous chemicals will reduce compliance costs, and allow smoother international trade.
While these new regulations are a step in the right direction when it comes to the handling of chemicals transported globally to and from Canada, these regulations speak to a broader growing movement to not only improve health and safety in Canada but to standardize practises and processes globally for all manufacturing companies. Within the next 5 years, you’re guaranteed to see more consistent health and safety regulations that span farther than just chemical handling, to all facets of manufacturing companies processes globally.
To read the article “Gov. announces new health and safety rules” please go to: http://www.hrmonline.ca/hr-news/gov–announces-new-health-and-safety-rules-209741.aspx