October 23, 2017 – A firm has been contacting employers and stating that, for a fee, it will provide online WHMIS training as required by law. It also implies that the contacted employers are not currently in compliance.
WorkSafeNB reminds employers that while WHMIS training must meet the minimum requirements of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System regulation, it may be provided by any qualified person or agency. If you are contacted by an agency or person offering to provide this training you should know that you have options available and you should explore those options to ensure that you find the best and most cost-effective training for your workplace.
April 23, 2014 – WorkSafeNB has learned that a firm is contacting New Brunswick employers by email to offer online Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) training. To convince employers to register for their program, the firm suggests that the employer is not in compliance with provincial labour laws.
Though the firm offers legitimate training, those contacted report that the firm implies they are affiliated with provincial occupational health and safety regulators.
WorkSafeNB reminds New Brunswickers that we have no affiliation with this firm. If a workplace must provide training, a WorkSafeNB officer, with official identification, will visit the workplace and address the issue in person.
If you have any questions about WHMIS training or the WHMIS program in general, please review the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System regulation or contact WorkSafeNB.
February 24, 2014 – It has been reported that a firm has been contacting New Brunswick workplaces requesting that they complete a survey on behalf of WorkSafeNB. The caller indicates that they perform health and safety audits on organizations, and directs users to our website for more information.The caller also tries to determine if the recipient has authority to make financial decisions on behalf of their organization. The call recipients report that it may be implied that this firm is acting on behalf of WorkSafeNB.
Please note that we have no affiliation with this firm and have not, through staff or an external agent, contacted New Brunswick employers for this reason. If a workplace needs to be audited, a WorkSafeNB officer, with official identification, will visit the workplace and address the issues in person.
September 18, 2013 – A firm has been contacting employers and stating that, for a fee, it will provide online WHMIS training as required by law. It also implies that the contacted employers are not currently in compliance.
WorkSafeNB reminds employers that while WHMIS training must meet the minimum requirements of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Regulation, it may be provided by any qualified person or agency. If you are contacted by an agency or person offering to provide this training you should know that you have options available and you should explore those options to ensure that you find the best and most cost-effective training for your workplace.
June 24, 2013 – A firm calling itself N.B. OHS or Workplace Health and Safety Requirement has been contacting employers and stating that, for a fee, it will provide documentation that will help record joint health and safety committee (JHSC) sessions.In some instances, the caller has implied that they are acting as a WorkSafeNB agent.
WorkSafeNB does not authorize nor recognize any supplier going by those names.
While the minutes of all JHSC meetings must be recorded and made available for review by a health and safety officer, WorkSafeNB offers employers and JHSCs free resources, including templates for recording minutes.
If you have any questions regarding your JHSC obligations, please contact us by calling 1 800 999-9775 or by emailing communications@ws-ts.nb.ca.
Buyer beware – First aid equipment
We've recently learned that an out-of-province firm has been contacting employers stating that their first aid kits have expired or no longer meet provincial requirements, and the company then offers to provide new kits. In some instances, the seller has implied that they are acting as an agent of WorkSafeNB. WorkSafeNB does not authorize nor recognize any supplier of such first aid material!
The First Aid Regulation - Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004-130) sets out the requirements for first aid training and equipment in New Brunswick workplaces. The regulation states that the employer is to provide trained personnel to provide first aid services, and specifies first aid equipment requirements, depending on the number of employees at that worksite.
WorkSafeNB has not, through staff or an external agent, contacted New Brunswick employers to inform them that their first aid equipment must be replaced. There is no statutory obligation to replace equipment at set time intervals.
For a list of approved first aid training providers, click here.
Buyer beware – WHMIS
Regulation 88-221, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Regulation, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, requires that workplaces have a program in place to address safety issues when working with controlled substances. This is commonly called a WHMIS program. This regulation has been effect since 1988 and similar legislation is found throughout Canada. The regulation requires that employees who work with controlled substances be trained in handling those substances and informed of the possible risks involved. The regulation also requires that controlled substances be properly labeled and that workplaces maintain the Material Safety Data Sheets provided by the supplier of the controlled substance.
WHMIS training must meet the minimum requirements of the regulation; this training may be provided by any qualified person or agency. If you are contacted by an agency or person offering to provide this training you should know that you have options available and you should explore those options to ensure that you find the best and most cost-effective training for your workplace.
You should also note that WorkSafeNB never calls workplaces to inform them that training is needed. If a workplace is required to provide training, a WorkSafeNB officer, with official identification, will visit the workplace and address the issues in person.
If you have any questions about WHMIS training or the WHMIS program in general, please review the regulation at Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System or contact WorkSafeNB.