Canadian workers are exposed to hazardous materials in the workplace or at home nearly every day. Even seemingly common products like household cleaners can be harmful if used in the wrong way.

That’s where the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS) training comes in! It's like your safety guidebook for dealing with all those potentially nasty materials you might come across at work or even at home.

Looking for WHMIS training? We can help you!

What’s included in WHMIS training? 

WHMIS training is a requirement in Ontario. It's all about educating employees on how to handle dangerous materials safely, as mandated by the government. In this training, employees learn to recognize and properly handle hazardous chemicals utilizing safety data sheets, identifying types of hazards, and WHMIS Symbols.

Every workplace will have specific topics that apply to them relative to the industry in which they operate, the specific hazardous materials used within the workplace, and other specific requirements.  

However, some of the more commonly applied WHMIS training requirements in Ontario include review of the following: 

• Chemicals – most hazardous materials covered in WHMIS training in Ontario will pertain to chemicals, whether cleaning-, manufacturing-, or automotive-related. WHMIS training will explain chemicals and the effects they can have on your health. It should also address common ways that chemicals enter the body.  

• Hazard types – there are many different types of hazards out there, and it is important that WHMIS training in Ontario educates employees on how to recognize them. These range from corrosion to explosion to fire to poison and more and should be communicated through labelling on the product.  

• Safety data sheets – the WHMIS training program should teach employees how to read safety data sheets/material safety data sheets, where these sheets can be located, and the types of information that can be found on them Again, these are just a few of the topics that WHMIS training should address. Others include general safety and protection, health and protective gear use, disposal, safe handling of hazardous materials, and more.  

• WHMIS symbols — WHMIS symbols or pictograms are quick graphics that show what kind of danger a product might pose. You can tell if a product is flammable or might be harmful just by looking at them. They usually have a red square border with a symbol inside representing the hazard, like fire or health risks. These are assigned to different danger categories.

Looking for examples? Check out our infographic of common WHMIS symbols.

[WHMIS symbols infographic]

How Does WHMIS Training in Ontario Work?  

Now that you know a bit more about what WHMIS training should look like, how do you get WHMIS trained? First, we must recognize that the process will vary depending on whether you’re an aspiring professional looking to get your certification before applying for a position, or an employer looking for a partner to help you get your team WHMIS certified for compliance with government regulations.  

For employees 

For new professionals, you have the ability of taking a self-led online course. Taking your WHMIS training in Ontario online is quickly becoming the preferred choice over previous instructor led content. Online WHMIS training comes with a lower cost, greater convenience, and the ability to complete your coursework on your schedule. 

For employers 

For employers, the choice is more about finding a trusted partner to provide your employees with WHMIS training in Ontario. While the law says that employers can create their training programs, that is sometimes difficult and time-consuming. Working with a trusted WHMIS provider that delivers online courses can ensure you have access to WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015 compliant courses that your employees can complete from the office, from their home, or anywhere else they have an Internet connection.  

Acquiring a WHMIS Certificate in Ontario  

Once you or your team finishes the training, you'll receive a WHMIS certificate. It's proof that you comply with WHMIS training requirements, and you can keep it in your files for any government audits that come knocking.

What Happens After WHMIS Training?  

Does WHMIS training expire? When do you need to recertify?  

Technically, the law doesn't specify an expiration date or how often you should redo the training. But that doesn't mean you should just do it once and forget about it. Safety is an ongoing journey and WHMIS materials are updated, just as they were in 2015 and again in 2023.

Complete your WHMIS training with PSHSA

As an approved provider of WHMIS training, PSHSA offers an online eLearning module that tracks your workplace version of the training, ensuring you receive a certificate and a record of training that is kept and filed accordingly. This convenient version of WHMIS training offers convenience and peace of mind knowing your workplace is up to provincial standards when it comes to this health and safety journey. 

Register for WHMIS eLearning training today!