Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

Introduction:

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a hazard communication system designed to ensure workers using hazardous materials, also known as controlled products, have the necessary information to safely handle, store and dispose of these materials. All workers that work with, or in close proximity to, a hazardous material must have WHMIS training. This course meets the legislated worker training requirements for all federal workplaces and for provincial workplaces in all provinces and territories.

 
 Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
 
Course Overview:

Every worker who works with, or in proximity to, a hazardous product in the workplace must have Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training. In February 2015, WHMIS was modified to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The “new” WHMIS is known as WHMIS 2015. 

WHMIS 2015 Online is based on the current 2015 legislation and meets the legislated requirement for general WHMIS training. Employers must also provide workplace-specific training and instruction for each of the hazardous products in the workplace. 

WHMIS 2015 has come into effect with a transition period that lasts several years (full implementation by December 1, 2018). During this time, suppliers must fully comply with either WHMIS 2015 orwith the “old” WHMIS (WHMIS 1998). This means that there may be hazardous products in the workplace that use WHMIS 2015 labels, classifications and Safety Data Sheets and there may be hazardous products that use WHMIS 1998 labels, classifications and (Material) Safety Data Sheets. 

During the transition period, employers may receive hazardous products that follow either WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015 requirements. To ensure worker protection, employers must educate and train workers about WHMIS 2015 as new labels and SDSs appear in their workplaces. During the transition period, employers may continue to have WHMIS 1988 labels and MSDSs in the workplace – if so, they must also continue to educate workers about WHMIS 1988. Employers must review and comply with the WHMIS requirements of their occupational health and safety jurisdiction. 

To address this situation, WHMIS 2015 Online includes information about WHMIS 1988 hazard classification, labelling and communication. 

 

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of WHMIS 2015, participants will be able to:
  • Understand the essential role WHMIS plays in protecting the health and safety of Canadian workers
  • Identify the WHMIS responsibilities of suppliers, employers, and workers
  • Know the workplace requirements related to the use of supplier labels and workplace labels, and how to locate and interpret the information found on these labels
  • Recognize the WHMIS pictograms and the types of hazard each represents
  • Recognize the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) as a source of comprehensive information about a hazardous chemical in the workplace and know how to locate various types of information when reading an SDS
  • Identify the WHMIS exemptions for suppliers and importers
  • Know general safe work practices that should be followed when working with hazardous products
WHMIS Online is an active learning experience, using interactive content screens and online exercises to engage learners and reinforce key concepts. Mandatory testing ensures that participants have met learning objectives and retained the required knowledge. 

 

Evaluation Process:

No participant can complete the course without verifying their understanding of the course material. WHMIS Online is presented in 6 modules. To progress from one module to the next, participants must pass a mandatory test. Those who do not pass the test must review the module content and re-test. There is no limit to the number of re-tests. Test questions are randomly selected from a test bank to ensure that re-tests will be unique. 

Upon successfully completing all modules, there is a printable certificate for your records. 

 

Course Duration:

WHMIS Online is self-paced. Participants may leave the course at any time and can resume where they left off. The time required to complete the course will depend on many factors including the participant’s learning style and their prior knowledge of course material. Most participants will complete WHMIS Online in less than 2 hours.