Common WHMIS Labelling Mistakes That Lead to Compliance Issues

Labelling is one of the most visible parts of WHMIS, and one of the first things an inspector checks. Yet it’s also where many otherwise compliant workplaces lose ground. A faded supplier label, an unmarked spray bottle, a drum with no workplace label are all potential violations. And each one is common.

The compliance risk isn’t hypothetical. Missing or illegible labels are consistently cited in workplace inspections, and they can trigger orders, fines, or larger scrutiny of your entire WHMIS program. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the labelling mistakes that most often lead to non-compliance, why they happen even in well-intentioned workplaces, and the practical steps to close the gaps before an inspector finds them.

Imagine a maintenance technician transferring a solvent from its original supplier container into several smaller spray bottles for the afternoon shift. The bottles are placed on a maintenance cart, but no workplace labels are added.

This is one of the most common WHMIS labelling issues found in industrial facilities.

Once a hazardous product is transferred into another container, the new container may require a workplace label, depending on how it will be used.

Without proper identification, workers may not know exactly what the product is, how to handle it safely, or where to find additional safety information.

There are limited exceptions for products that are transferred for immediate use or remain under the control of the worker who transferred them. However, these exceptions are often misunderstood and don’t apply to every temporary container.

Supplier labels fade with time; that’s just a fact. But they don’t stop being important simply because they’ve been in service for a long time.

Normal wear is common, and it’s often sped up due to: 

• Chemical spills
• Oils and grease
• Repeated handling
• Moisture
• UV exposure
• Abrasion during normal operations

If workers can’t read the product identifier, hazard information, or other required details, the label can no longer perform its intended function.

Regular workplace inspections provide an excellent opportunity to identify labels that are beginning to deteriorate before they become completely unreadable.

It’s not uncommon for workers to use a piece of masking tape and a permanent marker to create handwritten labels just for their own ease. The container might now have identification; however, that doesn’t necessarily mean it satisfies workplace labelling requirements.

Handwritten labels aren’t automatically prohibited under WHMIS either. In many workplaces, they can be entirely appropriate when they contain the required information and remain clear and legible.

Problems typically arise when handwritten labels are incomplete or deteriorate quickly.

For example:

• Using only a product nickname or abbreviation
• Omitting safe handling information
• Forgetting to reference the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), where required
• Using ink that fades or washes away
• Writing that becomes difficult to read over time
• Applying labels that easily peel away during normal use

If handwritten labels are part of your workplace procedures, review them regularly to ensure they remain complete, legible, and securely attached.

Industrial environments expose labels to conditions that gradually reduce their readability. Everything from UV exposure to chemical splashes, wash-downs and dust build-up wears down labels.

Over time, these conditions can make critical hazard information impossible to read. Which is why selecting the right label material is just as important as including the correct information.

For example:

• Indoor facilities often benefit from durable laminated industrial labels that resist routine cleaning and handling.
• Outdoor environments may require UV-resistant label materials designed to withstand prolonged exposure to weather.
• Chemical processing or washdown areas often benefit from label materials specifically selected to resist chemicals, moisture, and repeated cleaning.

Keep in mind, being compliant at the start is one part of the process. The other part is making sure the information remains readable and compliant throughout the product’s expected service life.

A workplace label might have been applied correctly, but it’s mounted behind a pipe, hidden once a cabinet door is opened, or regularly covered by hoses and cables during maintenance.

The information is technically there. Except workers can’t see it when they need it.

Label placement is often overlooked during installation, yet it has a direct impact on usability.

Avoid placing labels:

• Behind piping or conduit
• Inside equipment when the information needs to be seen before opening it
• Behind cabinet doors that block the label during servicing
• Where removable covers or guards hide the information
• In areas where dirt or residue quickly accumulates
• Where glare or poor lighting makes the label difficult to read

Whenever possible, workers should be able to identify the hazardous product before handling or using it.

WHMIS labelling isn’t something you complete once and forget about. Like any other part of a workplace safety program, it needs regular review and maintenance.

A good practice is to include label inspections as part of routine safety inspections, preventive maintenance or workplace audits.

During these reviews, check for:

• Missing workplace labels
• Damaged supplier labels
• Labels that have faded or become unreadable
• Incorrect or outdated product information
• Secondary containers that need proper identification
• Labels that have become detached or are beginning to peel

Just as importantly, encourage workers to report damaged or missing labels as soon as they’re noticed. Replacing one deteriorating label today is much easier than investigating an incident or correcting multiple deficiencies during an inspection.

Many WHMIS labelling issues don’t begin with major compliance failures. They start with small problems that gradually go unnoticed. 

By regularly reviewing your labels, replacing damaged ones promptly, selecting materials suited to the environment, and ensuring workers can easily locate hazard information, you can reduce both safety risks and compliance concerns.

At Industrial Nameplates, we manufacture durable industrial labels designed to remain clear, securely attached, and readable in demanding environments. Whether you need workplace labels, durable equipment decals, or custom industrial identification, call us at 403-930-5543, email sales@industrialnameplates.ca, or contact us, and we’ll help you find the right solution for your needs