Successful training strategies to implement a workplace hazardous materials information system. An evaluation study...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Industrial Hygiene
• Workplace Safety Training

Background:

• Canadian companies are mandated to implement the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
• Effective employee training is crucial for successful WHMIS implementation and workplace safety.
• Understanding the impact of different training methodologies on comprehension and system quality is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of various WHMIS training strategies.
• To assess employee comprehension of WHMIS requirements.
• To determine the impact of training on the overall quality of the WHMIS system in manufacturing plants.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted across 80 manufacturing plants in Québec, Canada.
• Various WHMIS training strategies were examined.
• Employee comprehension and WHMIS system quality were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Employee comprehension of WHMIS was highest when trained by external experts.
• Training internal instructors to deliver WHMIS content resulted in lower comprehension but improved the quality of WHMIS components like labels and Safety Data Sheets.
• Plants with pre-existing strong occupational health and safety practices demonstrated better WHMIS implementation.

Conclusions:

• The choice of WHMIS training strategy significantly impacts employee understanding and system quality.
• External expert training is optimal for maximizing employee comprehension.
• Internal training initiatives can enhance the quality of WHMIS documentation, particularly in established safety-conscious environments.