Q - If the employer stores what could be hazardous or controlled products in the workplace, how should this be addressed?

Health and Safety Committee
Q - If the employer stores what could be hazardous or controlled products in the workplace, how should this be addressed?

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The following sections of the COHSR state:

Records of Hazardous Substances

10.3 Every employer shall keep and maintain a record of all hazardous substances that, in the work place, are used, produced, handled, or stored for use in the work place, and may either keep and maintain such a record in the work place or keep and maintain a centralized record in respect of several work places, in one work place.

Hazard Investigation

10.4 (1) If there is a likelihood that the health or safety of an employee in a work place is or may be endangered by exposure to a hazardous substance, the employer shall, without delay,

(a) appoint a qualified person to carry out an investigation in that regard; and
(b) for the purposes of providing for the participation of the work place committee or the health and safety representative in the investigation, notify either of the proposed investigation and of the name of the qualified person appointed to carry out that investigation.

Storage, Handling and Use

10.8 Every hazardous substance stored, handled or used in a work place shall be stored, handled or used in a manner whereby the hazard related to that substance is reduced to a minimum.

10.9 Where a hazardous substance is stored, handled or used in a work place, any hazard resulting from that storage, handling or use shall be confined to as small an area as is practicable.

10.10 Every container for a hazardous substance that is used in a work place shall be so designed and constructed that it protects the employees from any health or safety hazard that is caused by the hazardous substance.

10.11 The quantity of a hazardous substance for use or processing in a work place shall, to the extent that is practicable, be limited to the quantity required for one work day.

Warning of Hazardous Substances

10.13 Where a hazardous substance is stored, handled or used in a work place, warnings shall be given in appropriate places at access points warning every person granted access to the work place of the presence of the hazardous substance and of any precautions to be taken to prevent or reduce any hazard of injury to health.

Identification

10.27 Every container of a hazardous substance, other than a controlled product, that is stored, handled, used or disposed of in the work place shall be labelled in a manner that discloses clearly

(a) the generic name of the substance; and
(b) the hazard information in respect of the substance.

10.28 Where a material safety data sheet in respect of a hazardous substance, other than a controlled product, that is stored, handled or used in the work place may be obtained from the supplier of the hazardous substance, the employer shall

(a) obtain a copy of the material safety data sheet; and
(b) keep a copy of the material safety data sheet readily available in the work place for examination by employees.

10.46 Controlled products shall be stored in accordance with subsections 3.2.7, 3.2.8, 3.2.9 and 3.3.4 of the National Fire Code.

 

A – This should be addressed as per the above sections.  This may require that a qualified person be brought in to assess the situation.