WHMIS 2015 Training
From labels to PPE, WHMIS is the language of safety. Let’s become fluent.
Since 2020 the number of lost-time claims due to exposure to caustic, noxious and allergenic substances has skyrocketed. Proper WHMIS training is critical to prevent these dangerous and unwanted events in the workplace.
The following describes our in-person or virtual training.
Act First Safety also delivers a self-paced, online WHMIS 2015 training course. See Other Programs That Might Interest You below.
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a comprehensive system for controlling the hazards associated with the use, handling, and storage of hazardous materials in the workplace. Employers must ensure all workers are trained in the identification of hazards and the components of the WHMIS program.
WHMIS 2015 introduced significant changes by aligning with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for hazard classification and communication, replacing the previous WHMIS 1988 system. Key changes include new hazard classifications, standardized supplier labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and updated pictograms. Despite the year in which delivery of a WHMIS program occurs, the training is commonly referred to as WHMIS 2015.
WHMIS Made Easy: Learn the Language of Safety
Training gives participants the knowledge to find and understand the information provided in the labels and safety data sheets required under WHMIS. This includes how to interpret WHMIS labels (including pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, and precautionary statements) and how to locate and understand the more detailed information provided on Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) is Canada's national standard for communicating information about hazardous products used in the workplace. It's a crucial component of occupational health and safety in Canada.
An online WHMIS program is also available from Act First Safety
Who Should Attend WHMIS Training?
In Canada, virtually anyone who works with or in proximity to hazardous products in a workplace is required by law to receive WHMIS training. This is a broad category and includes, but is not limited to:
- Workers who directly use, handle, store, or dispose of hazardous products: This includes a vast range of occupations such as manufacturing, construction, cleaning and maintenance staff, laboratory technicians, healthcare workers, automotive professionals, warehouse staff, and many more.
- Workers who may be exposed to hazardous products: Even if they don't directly handle the products, if there's a possibility of exposure due to their work activities (e.g., in an area where hazardous products are used or stored, or during emergencies like spills), they need training.
- Supervisors and Managers: They need to understand WHMIS to ensure their teams are properly trained, that hazardous products are handled safely, and that appropriate control measures are in place.
- New Employees: Anyone new to a workplace where hazardous products are present must receive WHMIS training before starting work with or near those products.
- Temporary Workers, Co-op Students, and Volunteers: If they may come into contact with hazardous materials, they also require WHMIS training.
All workers, and supervisors who may be exposed to a hazardous material or who work directly with the hazardous material are required to be trained in the requirements of WHMIS as per R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 860 Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
In essence, if there are any products in your workplace with WHMIS labels or if you could potentially be exposed to hazardous substances as part of your job, you need WHMIS training. While there isn't an expiry date on a WHMIS certificate, employers are legally required to review their WHMIS program annually and ensure workers remain adequately trained, especially if new products are introduced, products change, or new hazard information becomes available. For this reason, WHMIS training is commonly done annually among most workforces.
Industries Served - All
- Industrial sectors such as offices, retail, factories, warehouses
- Construction sector
- Mines and Mining Plants
- Health Care, Laboratories, Medical/Veterinarian and Dental
- Educational facilities and Museums
- Cleaning and Maintenance workers
- Workers in federal, provincial and municipal jurisdictions
Act First Safety Provides High Quality, Affordable WHMIS Training that Meets or Exceeds the Ontario Ministry of Labour Enforcement Standards
Our training programs are designed to meet your WHMIS needs quickly and at competitive rates. Moreover, you have the flexibility of online training through e-learning courses easily accessible from a computer or an interactive classroom presentation in your workplace by an instructor for small and large groups of workers.
Whichever option you choose, our training programs are based on dynamic adult-learning principles and achievable learning objectives. Additionally, our instructors and online support team are highly qualified, experienced safety professionals who can adapt to your needs.
Workers who complete our training receive individual Certificates as proof of successful training completion.
Current Challenge for Canadian Employers
The original WHMIS 1988 is being updated to WHMIS 2015 during a 3-year transition period that will end on December 1, 2018. The new WHMIS 2015 is based on the Global Harmonized System (GHS) and uses pictograms, labelling and safety data sheets that are significantly different from WHMIS 1988. Your workers may be at increased risk during this transition period from hazardous products labelled under either the old system or the new one.
If workers are receiving communication materials from both WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015, they require training in both systems.
Act First Safety provides training that seamlessly covers both WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015 (GHS).
Our comprehensive, blended training will give your workers the best possible training to protect them from exposure to hazardous materials.
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You – Learn WHMIS Now
By attending WHMIS 2015 safety training, participants will be able to
- Describe WHMIS
- Describe what makes up hazardous materials
- Identify the key elements of WHMIS
- Read and understand WHMIS labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Identify the roles and responsibilities of the key participants in WHMIS
- Recognize preventative measures using the Hierarchy of Controls
- Identify the hazards associated with different material hazard classes and categories
- Identify PPE requirements
Prerequisites
- Workers should complete the mandatory Worker Health and Safety Awareness in Four Steps required for all workers in Ontario
- Supervisors should complete the mandatory Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness in Five Steps required for all supervisors in Ontario
What you Get - Labels, Symbols & Safety – WHMIS Makes It Clear
Upon successful completion of the course, learners will receive:
- Wallet certificate
- Detailed Record of Training (private sessions only)
- In-class handouts
FAQs
1. Only workers who work directly with chemicals need WHMIS?
Hazardous materials are present in most workplaces, while not all workers work directly with the hazardous material they could be exposed to it due to its presence in the workplace. A product on a shelf could leak or produce vapours exposing workers unintentionally to the product. For this reason, workers have the right to know about any hazard they may be exposed to so they can identify and respond appropriately to incidents involving hazardous materials. Part of affording workers their right to know is through WHMIS training.
2. Are all hazardous products and substances covered by WHMIS regulations?
No, not all products or substances that may pose a hazard to workers is included in WHMIS regulations. Though they are exempt from the requirements of WHMIS there are still regulations that address the proper, handling, use, storages, disposal, import, and transportation of these products. The follow products and substances are exempt from WHMIS:
- Nuclear Substances as defined in the Nuclear Safety and Control Act
- Hazardous Waste
- Tobacco products as defined in the Tobacco Act
- Pest control products as defined in the Pest Control Products Act
- Explosives as defined in the Explosives Act
- Cosmetics, drugs, devices or food, as defined in the Food and Drugs Act
- Consumer products, as defined in the Canada Consumer Products Safety Act
- Wood or products made of wood
- Manufactured articles (i.e. PPE)
3. How often do you need to take WHMIS training?
Regulation 860 Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) does not set a specific validity period for WHMIS. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires that employers evaluate worker’s knowledge of hazardous materials in the workplace including but not limited to those covered by WHMIS on an annual basis. In consultation with the Joint Health and Safety Committee or Health and Safety Representative, if any, the employer shall review the results of the evaluation and determine if additional training or retraining is required.
This review must be done more frequently if the employer, on the advice of the Joint Health and Safety Committee or Health and Safety Representative, if any, determines that such reviews are necessary. The review will also be conducted when circumstances change in the workplace that may affect the health and safety of a worker.
For these reasons our WHMIS training validity period is flexible to the requirements of your company with options of validity for up to 3 years.
4. Why take WHMIS in person instead of online?
While we offer a convenient online training option for WHMIS the benefit of having in-person training can’t be understated. With in-person training you will have access to one of our experienced trainers able to answer real-time questions and customize the learning experience to your workplace ensuring participants get relatable and relevant information about the hazards present in their workplace.
5. Why is the training called WHMIS 2015? If the training is taken in the current year, is WHMIS 2015 still valid?
While often still referred to as "WHMIS 2015" for historical context, Canada's national hazard communication standard has seen recent amendments to its Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) that further align it with the latest revisions of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). These updates, which came into force in December 2022, aim to enhance worker protection by providing more comprehensive and precise hazard information. Key changes include the adoption of a new physical hazard class, "Chemicals Under Pressure," new subcategories for flammable gases, and a non-flammable aerosols hazard category. Furthermore, there are revisions to the specific information elements required on Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), particularly concerning physical and chemical properties in Section 9, and a requirement to disclose all hazardous ingredients above cutoff levels, even if they don't contribute to the mixture's overall classification. Suppliers have a transition period until December 14, 2025, to ensure their SDSs and labels comply with these amended regulations, emphasizing the ongoing need for workplaces to update their WHMIS training programs to keep workers informed and safe.
Register for WHMIS 2015 training today!
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