Regulations

Compliance Guidelines, Standards & Industry Requirements

Ensuring compliance with hazardous materials handling and storage regulations is critical for workplace safety, environmental protection, and avoiding costly penalties. At Hawman Container Services, we help organizations navigate complex regulatory frameworks while providing solutions that meet or exceed safety standards.

This page outlines the key regulations, codes, and requirements that businesses must follow when handling, storing, and transporting hazardous materials in Canada.

Industry Standards, Certifications & Memberships

• CWB W47.1 – Certification of Welding for Structural Steel

• API Membership / Standards – American Petroleum Institute

• cUL Certification – Canadian UL standards

• ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems

• NFPA Standards – Flammable storage and fire safety

Key Regulatory Bodies & Compliance Standards

Businesses working with hazardous materials must comply with a range of federal and provincial regulations. The most important include:

Transport Canada – Dangerous Goods (TDG Regulations)

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDG)
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations govern how hazardous materials are:

• Classified

• Packaged

• Labeled

• Transported

These regulations apply to all industries handling dangerous goods across Canada.

Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) Requirements

Transport Canada IBC Guidelines
Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) are commonly used for transporting and storing hazardous liquids and solids.

Key compliance requirements:

• UN-approved container specifications (UN31A – Metal IBCs, UN31HA1 – Composite/Polyethylene IBCs)

• Periodic inspection and testing

• Proper labeling and hazard identification

• Compatibility with stored materials

Select Hawman models are certified to:

• UN31A (Metal IBCs)

• UN31HA1 (Composite/Polyethylene IBCs)

• CAN/ULC-S601-14 (specific fuel models)

• ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

WHMIS Official Guidance

WHMIS ensures that workers have the information they need to safely handle hazardous products.

Requirements include:

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• Proper labeling

• Employee training programs

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Policies

ECCC regulates environmental impacts related to hazardous substances, including:

• Spill reporting requirements

• Storage regulations

• Environmental protection compliance

Provincial & Municipal Regulations

Depending on your location, additional rules may apply, including:

• Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07)

• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA – Ontario)

• Spill containment requirements

• Storage limits and zoning restrictions

Hazardous Materials Compliance Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure your operations align with Canadian regulations:

• Are your containers UN-certified for transport?

• Are your IBCs inspected and recertified on schedule?

• Do your storage systems meet fire code requirements?

• Do you have proper spill containment measures in place?

• Are your employees WHMIS-trained?

• Do your tanks meet CSA or API standards where required?

Why Regulatory Compliance Matters

Failure to comply with hazardous materials regulations can result in:

• Fines and legal penalties

• Workplace injuries

• Environmental damage

• Operational shutdowns

Partnering with Hawman Container Services ensures that your systems are designed with compliance in mind, reducing risk while improving operational efficiency.

Additional Safety, Fire & Engineering Standards

To fully comply with hazardous materials regulations in Canada, businesses must also consider industry-specific codes and standards that govern storage systems, tanks, and engineered equipment.

Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07)

Ontario Fire Code

The Ontario Fire Code regulates the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.

Key requirements include:

• Approved storage containers and tanks

• Secondary containment systems

• Separation distances between materials

• Ventilation and fire protection systems

Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA – Ontario)

Occupational Health and Safety Act

This legislation ensures worker safety when handling hazardous materials.

It includes:

• Safe equipment design and use

• Hazard identification and control

• Worker protection procedures

CSA Standards (Canadian Standards Association) - CSA W47.1 Fusion Welding of Steel

CSA W47.1 Fusion Welding of Steel

CSA standards apply to:

• Tank design and fabrication

• Structural steel systems

• Industrial equipment safety

NFPA Standards (Fire & Flammable Liquids)

National Fire Protection Association

These internationally recognized standards support fire safety and hazardous material storage.

Common examples include:

• NFPA 30 (Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code)

API Standards for Storage Tanks

American Petroleum Institute

API standards, such as API 650, apply to large welded storage tanks and are commonly used in industrial applications.

Spill Reporting & Environmental Compliance

Spill reporting requirements vary by province, but typically include:

• Immediate reporting of hazardous spills

• Proper containment systems

• Emergency response planning