Canada’s workplaces are changing, and so are the risks they face. One major challenge is the impact of climate change on WHMIS compliance. 

WHMIS, or the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, is Canada’s system for labelling, identifying, and sharing safety information about hazardous products. 

It helps protect workers by making sure they know how to handle, store, and respond to dangerous goods safely.

But as our climate shifts, so do the hazards. More wildfires, longer heatwaves, stronger storms, and unexpected flooding are becoming the new normal. 

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the country is warming at nearly twice the global average. This means higher risks for workplaces that handle flammable, explosive, or toxic materials. 

Rising temperatures can make chemicals more unstable. Floodwaters can spread spills. Power outages can cut off access to vital safety data.

These new environmental stressors are making WHMIS harder to follow. It’s not just about what’s in a container—it’s also about where it’s stored, how it’s accessed, and whether emergency systems still work in a crisis. 

As the climate continues to change, Canadian employers must adapt their safety plans to keep up.

In this blog, we will explore how climate change is reshaping workplace hazards and why WHMIS compliance now demands more flexible, responsive strategies than ever before.

Climate Change and Environmental Stressors on Workplace Safety

As Canada continues to feel the effects of climate change, workplaces are facing new safety challenges. 

Climate-related stressors—like rising temperatures, wildfires, floods, and extreme storms—are making it more difficult to manage and transport hazardous materials safely. These environmental changes can increase the risk of spills, chemical reactions, or exposure to harmful substances. 

For workers involved in shipping or handling dangerous goods, the traditional safety plans may no longer be enough.

Workplace safety systems like WHMIS must now account for these added risks. What used to be a secure environment for storing or transporting chemicals may now face heatwaves or sudden weather changes that threaten containment and control. 

This shift means safety standards need to adapt—not only to protect workers but also to prevent environmental damage and ensure community safety.

1. Rising Temperatures and Storage of Hazardous Products

One major impact of climate change is the steady rise in temperatures across Canada. When temperatures soar, hazardous products like flammable liquids, compressed gases, and reactive chemicals become even more dangerous. 

High heat can cause these substances to expand, leak, or even explode if not stored under the right conditions.

For example, propane cylinders and aerosol cans are highly sensitive to heat. If left in an unventilated area on a hot day, pressure can build up inside the container, increasing the risk of rupture. 

Similarly, solvents such as acetone or ethanol evaporate more quickly in high temperatures, creating flammable vapours that can ignite with a small spark.

This is why regulated storage is critical. Hazardous materials should be stored in climate-controlled environments, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Safety data sheets (SDS), a key part of WHMIS, provide guidelines for safe storage temperatures. 

By following these closely, employers can reduce the risk of dangerous reactions and ensure safer handling of temperature-sensitive products—even as Canada’s climate becomes more unpredictable.

2. Extreme Weather Events and Emergency Preparedness

Extreme weather events—like floods, wildfires, and severe storms—are becoming more frequent in Canada, and they can quickly disrupt emergency response systems in workplaces that handle dangerous goods. 

When roads are flooded or buildings are damaged, it may be impossible for workers to access Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), or designated evacuation routes. 

For instance, during the 2021 B.C. floods, several transportation routes were completely shut down, stranding both people and hazardous materials.

In such emergencies, delayed access to safety resources can lead to chemical exposures, injuries, or environmental contamination. That’s why emergency preparedness plans must go beyond general protocols. 

Canadian employers need to develop location-specific strategies that account for local climate threats and how they may affect access to WHMIS-mandated safety tools. 

This includes maintaining offsite digital backups of SDSs, securing mobile PPE kits, and training staff on alternate evacuation routes if the primary one becomes blocked. These actions can save lives and reduce the impact of a disaster.

3. Changing Risk Profiles for Certain Industries

Some Canadian industries are seeing faster and more dangerous changes due to climate impacts. 

In agriculture, for example, higher temperatures and drought conditions are increasing the use of pesticides and fertilizers—many of which are classified as dangerous goods. 

These chemicals become even more hazardous when applied in dry, windy conditions, as the risk of inhalation or environmental contamination rises.

In the mining sector, thawing permafrost and increased precipitation are affecting ground stability, which can lead to chemical leaks from storage tanks or contaminated runoff. Transportation is another high-risk area. 

Longer wildfire seasons and extreme weather have already disrupted shipping routes, increasing the risk of accidents involving flammable or toxic materials.

Traditional WHMIS protocols may not fully address these evolving risks. For example, SDSs may not consider temperature shifts or flooding potential, and standard labels might not reflect the new urgency created by climate events.

To keep workers safe, these industries must review and update their WHMIS strategies to reflect today’s changing risk profiles—considering both current climate data and future projections.

How Climate Risks Interfere with WHMIS Compliance

WHMIS plays a key role in keeping Canadian workers safe when dealing with hazardous materials. But as climate change brings more intense weather and environmental challenges, staying compliant with WHMIS is becoming harder. 

Compliance depends on clear labelling, easy access to safety data, proper storage, and well-trained staff. However, new climate risks—like heavy rainfall, prolonged heatwaves, wildfires, and power outages—can directly disrupt these safety systems.

In recent years, more Canadian workplaces have struggled with meeting WHMIS standards simply because their environments have become unpredictable. 

Whether it's damaged chemical labels or safety data sheets that can't be accessed during an emergency, climate risks now interfere with the basic elements of WHMIS, putting workers and the public at risk.

Label Integrity in Harsh Environmental Conditions

Labels are essential in WHMIS. They provide quick warnings about the hazards of a product and how to handle it safely. But under harsh environmental conditions, labels—both supplier and workplace-generated—can become unreadable or fall off altogether. 

Intense sunlight can cause ink to fade due to UV damage, especially during hot Canadian summers. Likewise, exposure to rain, snow, or high humidity can cause water damage, making labels peel or smear.

This creates serious problems. If workers can’t read a label, they may not know the risks or correct handling procedures, increasing the chances of an accident. 

To prevent this, employers must choose durable, weather-resistant labels and regularly inspect them. Using waterproof materials or UV-protective coatings can help maintain label clarity even in extreme environments.

Maintaining Accessibility to Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) provide detailed information about hazardous products, including first-aid instructions and spill procedures. WHMIS requires that SDSs be readily accessible to workers at all times. 

However, in a climate where power outages and internet disruptions are more common—especially in remote areas or during storms—this becomes a major challenge.

For example, a workplace that relies solely on digital SDSs may find them unreachable if the server goes down or the internet is out. Similarly, offices without backup power may lose access entirely during blackouts caused by high winds or wildfires. 

To stay compliant and protect workers, companies should maintain both online and printed copies of SDSs, keep them in waterproof containers, and ensure staff know where to find them—even during an emergency. 

This kind of dual access is no longer just a best practice; it's a climate-ready necessity.

Increased Need for Dynamic Workplace Hazard Assessments

As climate patterns continue to shift, so do the risks within Canadian workplaces that handle hazardous materials. Traditional hazard assessments were often conducted annually or during major operational changes—but that static model no longer works. 

Rising temperatures, poor air quality from wildfires, and sudden floods can all create new risks in a matter of days.

For example, a workplace that was previously not in a flood zone may now experience occasional flooding, putting chemical storage areas at risk. Or a facility may face sudden poor ventilation due to wildfire smoke, making exposure to volatile substances more dangerous. 

Employers must now implement dynamic hazard assessments that are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect weather alerts, seasonal changes, and new climate data. This flexible approach is crucial for maintaining WHMIS compliance and keeping workers safe.

Implications for Employers and Safety Officers

With the growing influence of climate change, the responsibilities of employers and safety officers in Canada are expanding. 

It’s no longer enough to simply follow the existing WHMIS checklist—climate-driven risks demand a proactive, adaptable safety strategy. 

Employers must reassess how they train staff, store materials, maintain safety documentation, and implement controls to match a more unstable environment.

1. Revisiting Training Protocols

WHMIS training programs need to go beyond basic WHMIS content. Workers should now be trained on how to respond to climate-related emergencies like heatwaves, smoke exposure, or flood-related chemical spills. 

For instance, workers must learn how to operate safely in high-heat environments where chemicals may evaporate faster or pose inhalation risks. 

Including location-based emergency planning and frequent drills helps ensure that staff can act quickly and confidently in unpredictable situations.

2. Reinforcing WHMIS Documentation and Record-Keeping

In disaster situations, having accurate records can make all the difference. Safety audits, incident reports, and chemical inventories must be up-to-date and stored securely.

Employers should maintain both digital and physical copies of key WHMIS documents in case of power loss or system failures. 

During events like wildfires or evacuations, these records can support emergency responders, guide recovery efforts, and prove compliance during inspections or legal reviews.

3. Adapting Control Measures

Climate stressors also affect how physical control measures perform. For example, ventilation systems may not be designed to handle extreme heat or smoke, reducing air quality and increasing the risk of exposure. 

Similarly, containment systems for chemicals must now withstand temperature swings and water damage. Employers need to assess whether their current systems are climate-resilient.

PPE is another concern—workers may need respirators that filter wildfire smoke or cooling vests for working in high-heat environments. Updating these control measures ensures workers are protected not just from known hazards, but also from the evolving ones introduced by climate change.

4. Increased Need for Dynamic Workplace Hazard Assessments

Climate change is making it harder for Canadian workplaces to rely on traditional safety assessments. In the past, many employers conducted hazard assessments once a year or only after major changes. 

But with the growing frequency of wildfires, floods, and heatwaves, risks can shift in just days—not months or years.

For example, a facility might suddenly face poor air quality from wildfire smoke, affecting indoor air circulation and increasing exposure to airborne chemicals. 

Or rising groundwater could threaten storage areas that were once considered safe. These new risks can’t be predicted with outdated or one-time evaluations.

That’s why there’s a growing need for dynamic, ongoing workplace hazard assessments. Employers and safety officers must regularly monitor environmental changes and update their risk evaluations in real time. 

This includes checking for new hazards linked to temperature extremes, storm warnings, or local emergency alerts. 

By doing this, workplaces can better align with WHMIS requirements and ensure that safety measures are always current—protecting both workers and the environment.

Adapting WHMIS Programs in a Changing Climate

Canada’s workplaces are facing new environmental challenges due to climate change—from longer wildfire seasons to more intense heat waves and flooding. 

These changes directly affect how hazardous materials are stored, handled, and responded to. As a result, WHMIS programs must evolve beyond their traditional scope. 

Adapting WHMIS in this new climate reality means not only updating safety protocols but also integrating climate-related risk factors into every part of hazard management—from labelling and training to emergency response and documentation.

Employers, safety officers, and emergency planners must work together to make WHMIS more flexible, location-specific, and digitally accessible. 

This ensures that workers are protected and safety systems stay resilient—even when weather conditions change quickly.

Incorporating Climate Risk into WHMIS Hazard Identification

Standard hazard assessments under WHMIS typically focus on chemical characteristics and workplace conditions. However, with climate change, new factors—such as rising temperatures, declining air quality, and increased moisture—must also be considered. 

For example, volatile chemicals may become unstable in extreme heat, or moisture-sensitive substances may corrode when stored in damp environments caused by heavy rain or flooding.

To address these issues, employers should revise hazard assessment checklists to include climate-specific questions:

• Is this product temperature-sensitive?
• Can it react with moisture or be affected by poor air quality?
• Is the storage location protected from extreme weather?

Incorporating these questions into forms and checklists ensures climate risks are factored into day-to-day WHMIS compliance and workplace safety evaluations.

Integrating WHMIS with Broader Emergency Management Plans

WHMIS compliance should not operate in a silo—it must be part of an integrated emergency management strategy. In a climate-stressed environment, coordination is key. 

For example, during wildfires or major storms, accessing Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) might require remote logins or coordinated evacuation plans that include safe routes away from hazardous material zones.

Joint planning can include shared SDS access between departments, pre-designated safe storage areas for flammable materials, and emergency drills that involve both chemical handling protocols and weather-based evacuations. 

By blending WHMIS with site-wide emergency plans, employers can better prepare for multi-hazard scenarios and ensure a faster, safer response.

Leveraging Technology

Technology plays a major role in keeping WHMIS programs operational during climate disruptions. With power outages, internet failures, and sudden evacuations becoming more common, workplaces need flexible, mobile-friendly safety tools.

Cloud-based SDS systems allow workers to access hazard information anytime, anywhere—even if the main server is down. Mobile compliance apps can send real-time alerts about temperature changes or weather risks affecting specific chemicals. 

QR codes placed on containers can link directly to SDSs, providing quick information in emergency situations without relying on paper copies.

Investing in these digital tools helps ensure that WHMIS compliance isn’t disrupted when conditions change—and that workers always have access to the critical safety information they need.

Conclusion

The growing influence of climate change is adding new pressure to how Canadian workplaces manage hazardous materials. 

From rising temperatures that increase chemical volatility to extreme weather events that block access to safety resources, employers face evolving risks that challenge traditional WHMIS systems. 

These aren't distant concerns—they’re happening now. For example, wildfires in British Columbia and floods in Eastern Canada have already disrupted supply chains and emergency responses.

To stay safe and compliant, workplaces must rethink how they apply WHMIS in this new reality. 

This includes updating hazard assessments to include climate risks like heat, moisture, and air quality; ensuring that Safety Data Sheets are accessible even during outages; and investing in durable labels and mobile safety technologies. 

Employers should also focus on dynamic training programs that prepare workers for both chemical and climate-related emergencies.

One thing is clear: static safety systems won’t work in a changing climate. Adapting WHMIS programs is no longer optional—it’s essential. 

By staying ahead of environmental changes and avoiding common mistakes in the transport of dangerous goods, employers can protect their teams, meet regulatory standards, and respond confidently during emergencies.

Ongoing monitoring, frequent training updates, and integrated emergency planning are the way forward. As Canada continues to experience more severe climate events, a proactive and flexible approach to WHMIS will be the key to future workplace safety!