Navigating MLITSD Hazardous Chemical Inspections: How MySDS Helps You Stay Compliant

Workplace health and safety is a top priority for employers in Ontario, and for 2025-2026, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) has sharpened its focus on hazardous chemical management. The ministry is currently conducting health and safety inspections targeting hazardous substances—specifically checking whether employers are complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).

For many organizations, particularly small to mid-sized businesses or nonprofits with limited safety staff, preparing for these inspections can feel overwhelming. However, with the right tools and systems in place, you can not only stay compliant but also streamline your safety program. That’s where MySDS comes in.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through what MLITSD inspectors are looking for, why compliance matters, and how MySDS can help your organization prepare for—and pass—an MLITSD inspection with confidence.

Why Is MLITSD Focusing on Hazardous Chemical Safety?

According to WSPS (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services), the MLITSD’s hazardous chemical inspection initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to reduce chemical-related injuries, occupational diseases, and long-term exposures in Ontario workplaces.

From industrial manufacturers to community health centers and even non-profit food banks, many workplaces use hazardous products without realizing the full extent of their responsibilities under the law. These can include:

• Industrial cleaning agents
• Solvents, paints, or fuels
• Disinfectants or sanitizers
• Laboratory chemicals
• Aerosol sprays or lubricants

Whether used frequently or occasionally, these products are regulated under WHMIS, and employers must ensure proper labelling, documentation, worker education, and emergency procedures are in place.

What Are MLITSD Inspectors Looking For?

Inspectors want to ensure that every employer has taken all measures reasonably necessary to protect workers from exposure to hazardous biological or chemical agents and that employers are controlling exposure to hazardous chemicals to ensure the occupational exposure limits (OELs) are not exceeded. When MLITSD inspectors arrive at your workplace, they will focus on several critical areas:

1. Availability and Accessibility of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Employers must maintain a current SDS for every hazardous product in the workplace and ensure these are readily accessible to workers at all times.

2. Worker Education and Training

Workers must be trained on how to read SDSs and labels, understand chemical hazards, and know what to do in emergencies (like spills or exposure).

3. Labeling Requirements

Hazardous products must have either a supplier label or a workplace label that meets WHMIS standards. Labels must be legible and reflect the product's current hazards.

4. Hazardous Product Inventory

Inspectors will look for an up-to-date inventory of all hazardous products on site and whether the SDSs correspond to that inventory.

5. Emergency Procedures and PPE Use

They will ask about spill response procedures, first aid protocols, and availability/use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for chemical hazards.

6. Review and Record keeping

Annual reviews of the chemical safety program and records of training and SDS updates are also key compliance points.

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How can employers prepare?

1. Know your legal requirements under Regulation 833: Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents and Regulation 860: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.
2. Recognize, assess, control and evaluate the chemical hazards in your workplace.
3. Get help. Go to the WSPS website for free resources.
4. Have your documentation ready: chemical inventory sheets, air assessment reports (including dates), medical surveillance, SDSs, generic and job-specific WHMIS training records.
5. Ensure a member of the JHSC is available to answer questions for the inspector.

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How MySDS Helps You Pass Your MLITSD Inspection

MySDS is a powerful, cloud-based SDS management solution that makes it easy for organizations to stay compliant with WHMIS and OHSA regulations. Here's how MySDS helps you prepare for inspections and manage hazardous products with confidence:

1. Centralized SDS Management

MySDS provides instant, 24/7 access to your entire library of SDSs from any device. You no longer need to maintain bulky paper binders or chase down suppliers for updated sheets.

• Automatically updated SDSs
• Searchable database by product name or supplier
• Printable and downloadable formats for physical access

Benefit during inspection: When inspectors ask for SDSs, you can produce them immediately organized, current, and complete.

2. Easy Hazardous Chemical Inventory Tracking

MySDS allows you to build and maintain a digital inventory of hazardous products, linked directly to their SDSs.

• Track products by location
• See hazard classifications at a glance
• Update your inventory in real-time as products change

Benefit during inspection: Show that your inventory matches your SDS library and demonstrate active chemical management.

3. Training and Awareness Tools

MySDS offers optional tools and templates that support worker education, including:

• Updated chemicals identify the need for updated training
• Posters, labels, and hazard communication materials
• SDS summaries that highlight key hazards and PPE

Benefit during inspection: Prove that workers are trained, informed, and have access to clear chemical safety information.

4. Label Compliance Made Easy

With MySDS, you can print workplace labels for secondary containers using accurate, up-to-date hazard data directly from the SDS.

Benefit during inspection: Ensure all containers—big or small—are properly labeled in compliance with WHMIS requirements.

5. Audit-Ready Record keeping

MySDS helps you stay inspection-ready by maintaining digital records of:

• SDS updates and revision dates

Benefit during inspection: Present a full audit trail that shows your due diligence and continuous compliance.

6. Affordable for All Organizations

MySDS offers competitive pricing plans—making it an ideal solution not only for large industrial sites but also for small businesses.

• Budget-friendly
• Scalable for teams of any size
• No IT infrastructure needed—just a browser or app

Benefit: Stay compliant without draining resources that could be used for your core mission or operations.

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Final Thoughts: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

MLITSD inspections are not something to fear—but they are something to prepare for. With inspectors actively reviewing chemical safety programs across Ontario, now is the time to evaluate your WHMIS compliance and chemical management procedures.

Using a tool like MySDS is one of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure your SDSs are accessible, your documentation is current, and your staff are informed. Not only does it help you avoid penalties—it creates a safer, more informed workplace for everyone.

Ready to Get Compliant?

Whether you manage a busy manufacturing shop floor, a school board, or a healthcare clinic, MySDS helps you meet your chemical safety responsibilities—without the paperwork headaches. Contact us today to schedule a demo or start your free trial.

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