OSHA Regulations vs. CCOHS Guidelines

The Ultimate Guide to OSHA vs. CCOHS Chemical Regulations 

Whether you are an employee or a business, it is important to understand your country’s health and safety regulations. 

When it comes to chemicals, Canada and the United States have similar regulations upheld by their respective governments. However, there are a few key differences between the two. 

In this blog post, we are going to take a closer look at OSHA regulations vs. CCOHS guidelines to understand the similarities and differences when it comes to chemical products. 

What Is CCOHS? 

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is the Canadian equivalent of the United States’ Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). 

Both provide legislation and enforcement to protect workers’ health, as well as resources for employers. 

You may also have heard of CanOSH. While not a regulator like CCOHS, it’s a division of this organization the offers a collection of accessible resources on country-wide regulations.  

• Workplace safety  
• Health regulations by province 
• Great for businesses but primarily meant for employees. 

The United Nations created the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) to unify global chemical compliance. 

However, each country can decide which revision of the GHS they wish to abide by, making this unification not yet achievable.  

Therefore, Canada’s CCOSH regulations and the United States’ OSHA guidelines can vary. 

Why Does Complying with Chemical Regulations Matter? 

Complying with local and country-wide chemical regulations always matters: 

• Protect workers’ health 
• Protect the environment 
• Prevent improper disposal of hazardous materials 
• Avoid fines & federal repercussions 

If you own a U.S. business that operates within Canda or vice versa, then you need to be familiar with BOTH countries’ regulations.  

It is also your responsibility to ensure that your employees/workers also know and follow these regulations. 

OSHA Regulations vs. CCOHS Guidelines: Similarities & Differences 

Now, let’s take a look at how Canada’s CCOHS guidelines and the United States’ OSHA hazardous chemical regulations are similar and different based on the following criteria: 

• Labeling standards 
• Hazardous materials  
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) 
• Resources & Training 

Let’s start with the classification of hazardous materials. 

Classification of Hazardous Materials 

The criteria for a hazardous material can vary between Canada and the U.S. 

For example, chemicals that are only considered toxic in their gaseous state are considered toxins in Canada, but not in the United States. 

Additionally, Canda only considers chemicals ‘combustible dusts’ if they are shipped in a hazardous form, whereas the U.S. considers these chemicals ‘combustible dusts’ regardless. 

But when it comes to biohazardous materials, Canada classifies them, but the U.S. doesn’t currently have biohazard communication standards for all chemical products. 

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) 

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) or Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are key in protecting workers’ health and safety. 

These sheets list essential information about each chemical, including: 

• Chemical properties 
• Necessary protective measures 
• Handling, storing, and transporting requirements 
• Health hazards 
• Environmental hazards 
• Proper disposal information 

For both OSHA regulations and Canada’s CCOHS requirements, employers are required to keep SDSs accessible in the workplace at all times for all hazardous chemicals. 

In both countries, SDSs are not required for non-hazardous materials. 

Information & Employee Training 

Both countries require that employees receive training and resources about hazardous chemicals present in their work environment. 

However, Canada requires workers to participate in WHMIS training programs as well as participating in exercises to be able to identify and control hazardous chemicals. 

While the approach to employee training and education can vary, proper chemical education is still considered important in both countries. 

Labeling Chemical Products 

One of the primary differences between OSHA and CCOHS regulations is the labeling system for hazardous materials. 

In Canada, labels must be written in English AND French. 

In the United States, labels are only required to be written in English. 

Both countries allow additional languages to be written on the labels. 

Besides the slightly differing language requirements, there are several other labeling requirements. Here’s a brief overview of more labeling similarities and differences: 

• In Canda, almost all classifications require a pictogram, but this is less common in the U.S.  
• In both countries, if a product lists both ‘danger’ and ‘warning’ on the label, ‘danger’ is the only word that’s allowed to reappear, NOT ‘warning’ 
• In both countries, all hazard statements most but included 
• In the U.S., supplementary precautionary statements are allowed as long as they follow U.S. Hazard Communication Standards (HCS). In Canada, additional statements are allowed as long as they aren’t “misleading” or “false.” 

While this is by no means a comprehensive list, it does give some insight into the labeling criteria upheld in each country and how they compare. 

All in all, the regulations between these two North American countries are stringent, accessible, and very similar.  

Most importantly, their regulations are united with a single mission: Enforce strict chemical regulations to protect the environment and protect workers’ safety and health. 

How to Comply with CCOHS Guidelines vs. OSHA Regulations 

If you own a business that manufactures, distributes, or utilizes chemical products in the U.S. and Canada, it’s critical that you follow both countries’ regulations. 

To check if your chemicals follow both American and Canadian chemical guidelines, follow these helpful tips: 

• Check the requirements for SDSs 
• Check the labeling requirements 
• Talk with your chemical provider about their compliance 
• Choose a global, eco-friendly chemical company that has experience complying with international chemical regulations 

Eco-Friendly Chemicals that Comply with CCOHS Guidelines & OSHA Regulations 

At ChemFree, our chemicals align with both Canadian and American chemical standards and regulations. 

When you purchase through us, we guarantee that our products and services are always regulated and enforced by the local government. 

Contact Us to learn more or browse our environmentally preferred products.