Final answer:
Yes, the Global Harmonization System (GHS) replaced WHMIS 1988, resulting in the creation of WHMIS 2015, which standardized chemical classification and labeling to enhance worker safety and facilitate international trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
Did GHS replace WHMIS 1988? The answer is yes, the Global Harmonization System (GHS) indeed replaced the older Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 1988 as part of Canada's adoption of the GHS standards to create the WHMIS 2015 framework. The objective was to standardize the classification and labeling of chemicals on a global scale.
The new system, known as WHMIS 2015, incorporates the GHS for the classification and labeling of chemicals, aiming to enhance worker safety, facilitate trade, and align Canadian regulations with international standards. One of the key changes includes new pictograms on labels, which are standardized pictorial images representing the hazards associated with various chemicals, making it easier to understand the associated risks.
It was important that employers, by December 1, 2018, had updated workplace hazardous product inventories, ensured workers were trained in new WHMIS 2015 requirements, and all hazard communication complied with the new standards. This transition highlights the continued effort to maintain workplace safety and provide clear communication regarding chemical hazards.