Workplace Safety Basics: WHMIS, GMP, and First-Day Readiness
- Austyn Reid
- Sep 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 26
Keeping people safe isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s required by law. If you’re hiring or starting a new role in Ontario’s light-industrial, food production, or logistics sectors, here’s what to know about WHMIS, GMP, and first-day readiness.
Note: This post is general information, not legal advice. Some roles/industries have special rules—always check the official guidance linked below.
WHMIS: Labels, SDSs, and Training
WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) is Canada’s system for communicating hazards of workplace products. It aligns with the UN GHS standard and relies on three pillars: supplier/workplace labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and worker education & training. Employers must ensure workers know how to read labels/pictograms, access SDSs, and handle products safely.
Key takeaways
Train workers before exposure to hazardous products and keep training up to date.
Make SDSs readily available and ensure containers are properly labelled.
Understand hazard classes and categories (they indicate type and severity of risk).
GMP: Practical Hygiene & Process Controls (Food Production)
If you operate in bakery/food manufacturing, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are the foundation of safe food: sanitation, allergen control, pest control, employee hygiene, equipment maintenance, and documented procedures. Under Canada’s food-safety framework (including SFCR preventive controls), companies are responsible for building and following these programs; federal guidance explains what good looks like.
What to have in place
Written sanitation, allergen, and traceability procedures; staff training records.
Clean uniforms/PPE, hand-washing protocols, hair/beard restraints.
Equipment checks and corrective-action logs.
First-Day Readiness: Orientation That Prevents Injuries
Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires employers to inform, instruct, and supervise workers for safety—and all workers must complete Worker Health & Safety Awareness (4 Steps) training. Build these into day-one on-boarding.
Day-one essentials (employers)
Verify completion of Worker Awareness—4 Steps (keep proof of completion).
Explain hazards, controls, and safe work procedures for the job; review PPE and how to use it.
Walk through emergency procedures (exits, alarms, first aid), incident reporting, and who the supervisor and JHSC/HSR are.
Show where to find SDSs/labels and how to work with chemicals (WHMIS).
Day-one essentials (workers)
Know your three core rights: to know about hazards, to participate in keeping the workplace safe, and to refuse unsafe work.
Ask how to report hazards/injuries and where safety gear and SDSs are located.
Complete required training and keep your certificates.
Useful Resources
WHMIS (overview & program basics) – CCOHS. CCOHS+1
Ontario WHMIS page – Province of Ontario. Ontario
Worker Health & Safety Awareness (4 Steps) – Province of Ontario. Ontario
Food manufacturing preventive controls & GMP-style guidance – CFIA. Canadian Food Inspection Agency+1
OHSA duties & training requirements – Ontario guide. Ontario
Disclaimer
Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, Doris Workforce Solutions (DWS) does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. Doris Workforce Solutions (DWS) is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information.
