WHMIS Frequently Asked Questions

• WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. This is Canada’s national system for communication of information about hazardous products being used in the workplace.
• WHMIS is aligned with the Global Harmonized System (GHS) for consistent classification, labelling and communication of hazardous products in different countries.
• The purpose of WHMIS is to ensure workers understand the hazards of the products they are handling and know how to work safely with them.
• The goal is to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses when working with hazardous materials.

• Hazardous Products Act (HPA) – outlines the duties of suppliers of hazardous products, including the provision of safety data sheets and product labels. Suppliers include manufacturers, importers and distributors.
• Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) – outlines the criteria for classifying hazardous products and the required information elements in the SDS and labels
• The HPR was amended on December 15, 2022, and suppliers have until December 15, 2025, to update their SDS to comply with the updated requirements. Employers must train their workers on this updated information to ensure workers know the hazards and how to work safely with the hazardous materials.
• This updated WHMIS will now be referred to just as “WHMIS” and no longer have a year referenced in the title as previous versions "WHMIS 2015" and "WHMIS 1988."
• In Ontario, employers are required to comply with Regulation 860: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

• Generic WHMIS training covers general information and would be the same for every workplace such as:
  • Everyone’s responsibilities
  • What the WHMIS symbols mean
  • Components of the SDS, supplier and workplace labels

This type of training is often delivered through a generic e-course and can be delivered in person as well. It is an important first step in understanding what WHMIS is. However, this is not sufficient on its own. Additional training is required specific to the hazards present to a specific workplace.

• Workplace Specific training is extremely important to couple with generic training. It provides detailed specific training information on the hazardous chemicals in your workplace.
• Every employer needs to understand what hazardous chemicals are in their workplace and develop procedures and training for workers regarding the safe use, storage, handling and disposal of hazardous products, as well as procedures to follow when fugitive emissions are present and what to do in case of an emergency involving hazardous products, such as a spill.
• Refer to Ontario Regulation 860, Section 6 and 7 for full details of what is required for training of workers who are expose or likely to be exposed to hazardous materials in the workplace.

After completing WHMIS training, workers should understand:

1. The hazards of the product(s) they work with
2. How to protect themselves from those hazards
3. What to do in case of an emergency
4. Where to find more information about hazardous products such as how to access the SDS.

The training must result in the workers being able to use the information to protect their health and safety. This is essential to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses when working with hazardous materials.

Training workers in WHMIS is required by law for employers who have workers who may be exposed in the course of his or her work to a hazardous product. WHMIS applies to workplaces governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The overall purpose of WHMIS is to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses due to exposure to hazardous materials.

• Ontario Regulation 414/05 for Farming Operations specify where the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations apply. Although Ontario Regulations 860 do not apply to farming, certain aspects of an agriculture operation may be considered part of an industrial establishment, in which case O. Reg 860 will apply.
• An example could be a cannabis operation where parts of the facility will be considered farming while other parts will be considered industrial. All regulations that apply to industrial establishments, including Regs 833 and 860, will be enforced in the industrial sections of the facility.

• WHMIS training is required for any workplace that uses chemicals labelled under WHMIS.
• You can sign yourself or your employees up for the generic WHMIS online training course here.
• NOTE: Generic WHMIS training needs to be supplemented with workplace specific training that trains workers on the safe use, handling, storage and disposal of the actual hazardous products that the worker may be exposed to.

As per Ontario Regulation 860, WHMIS training is required for workers who work with or who may be exposed in the course of their work to a hazardous product.

There is no specific requirement for annual WHMIS refresher training in the WHMIS Regulation, however this is a best practice. Training must be updated and implemented when work conditions change that may affect the health or safety of a worker, such as introducing new products, new information about safe handling, storage and use of chemicals.

• In the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) Section 42, the training must be developed and implemented by the employer in consultation with the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or Health and Safety Representative (HSR). The employer must also review, in consultation with the JHSC or HSR, the training provided to a worker and the worker’s familiarity at least annually.
• The review must be held more frequently than annually if the employer, on the advice of the JHSC or HSR, determines that such reviews are necessary, or there is a change in circumstances that may affect the health or safety of a worker.

Sign up for WSPS WHMIS Online Training today. This self-paced online course, test and certification takes about an hour to complete. Once completed, you can download a digital copy or print your WHMIS certificate immediately.

NOTE: Generic WHMIS training needs to be supplemented with workplace-specific training that trains workers on the safe use, handling, storage and disposal of the actual hazardous products that the worker may be exposed to.

• This course is suitable for employees in organizations of all sizes, in industries and occupations where WHMIS-controlled products are found.
• All you need is a computer, access to the Internet - and you are ready to go! This e-learning course is designed to help you learn at your own pace and in your own environment at your own convenience.

• The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) Health and Safety Inspectors and MLITSD Occupational Hygienists Inspectors enforce Reg. 860.
• Federally-Regulated Workplaces: Your workplace falls under the Canada Labour Code. MLITSD Occupational Hygienists have been given authority to enforce the Hazardous Products Act and Regulations.

Although there is no expiry date to the certificate, it is a best practice to complete WHMIS training on an annual basis. The frequency of update and review should be determined by your employer in consultation with your health and safety committee. It may be more or less frequently than annually, depending on whether there is a change of circumstance or a perceived necessity. (Please refer to Section 42 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for more information).