{"id":2914,"date":"2026-06-23T06:37:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T06:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citationcanada.com\/?p=2914"},"modified":"2026-06-18T18:38:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T18:38:52","slug":"whmis-training-play-it-safe-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citationcanada.com\/fr\/blog\/article\/whmis-training-play-it-safe-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"WHMIS Training: Play it Safe in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WHMIS in the workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We Canadians are generally a safety-conscious bunch. We wear seatbelts when driving, helmets when riding bikes, and have smoke alarms monitoring our homes. But what about your workplace? Do your employees feel safe at work? How excited are they when new WHMIS training gets announced? The average Canadian employee spends close to 2,000 hours per year\u2014more than 80 full days\u2014at their place of employment. That\u2019s one of many reasons why it\u2019s so important for employers to make health and safety a top investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The basics of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the 2020 Report on Work Fatality and Injury Rates in Canada, there were 1,027 work-related employee deaths in 2020. That marks an increase of 76 from 2017. Ontario and New Brunswick led the way, with an injury rate 15 percent higher than that of other provinces. One death or injury on the job is one too many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, or WHMIS, plays a vital role. It serves as a national program designed to ensure the safety of everyone in the workplace. With many workplace injuries caused by mishandling hazardous materials, it is essential that employees receive proper training on these products to ensure everyone’s safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHMIS and hazardous materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All workplaces in Canada that may encounter hazardous materials must comply with government regulations and maintain a comprehensive WHMIS training program to protect all Canadian workers. While health and safety levels vary with the company’s focus and employee count, compliance must remain a priority. The latest WHMIS, now aligned with the Worldwide Hazardous Materials Information System and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS<\/a>), has enabled the addition of new hazard classes. It also enabled more comprehensive hazard classification criteria, standardized language for hazard and precautionary statements, and consistent SDS format requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHMIS product information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Through identification and product classification, labelling, safety data sheets, and worker education and training, keeping employees protected involves continual education and training. While workplace injuries will happen, taking a proactive approach allows organizations to reduce potential workplace hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I keep employees up-to-date on WHMIS training?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There needs to be a consistent flow of communication between employers and employees to ensure WHMIS training is completed annually, or at least every 3 years. As you update your organization\u2019s WHMIS training, keep all employees informed. Send a communication letter about the changes so your entire team stays compliant. Sometimes employees may push back against training; for example, if new employees say they were trained at their last job. But a notice to staff about WHMIS requirements can help you explain why the training needs updating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is responsible for health and safety training in the workplace?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Education and training only work if employees understand their importance. This means employers bear a significant responsibility for both facilitating and verifying that understanding. This can\u2019t be met by providing training once and then assuming employees will retain the necessary knowledge. Different employees require different approaches depending on their circumstances, but every Canadian worker needs WHMIS training to understand how to use hazardous products properly. From construction and office cleaners to lab and automotive workers, everyone needs to know how to work safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health and safety training is a shared responsibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This shared responsibility even includes suppliers, who must provide updated safety data sheets (SDSs) and inform their customers of any changes. Employers must ensure they have accurate information from suppliers. It may be necessary to use a supplier risk assessment form if hazardous products are entering the workplace without the right information, or at least an SDS form to request data where the existing information appears incomplete or erroneous. Both of these forms are available to members in our comprehensive health and safety content library<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When information is wrong or employees have doubts about labels, make sure they know whom to report concerns to. Information like this is covered through our online employee training platform<\/a> and WHMIS training modules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover engaging online WHMIS training for employees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, protecting employee health and safety is everyone’s shared responsibility<\/a>, and WHMIS needs to be part of any employer\u2019s everyday compliance when hazardous materials are present in the workplace. Employers should make a habit of revisiting health and safety practices regularly\u2014not just when legislation commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting to think it might be time to get your team up to date on WHMIS? Our new WHMIS training is now available on our online platform in both comprehensive and refresher versions. The story-based approach helps learners understand complex topics in a more engaging way. Get the latest on WHMIS here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get the latest, most comprehensive information on what’s new with WHMIS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Download our comprehensive 2025 WHMIS Bulletin<\/a> to quickly spot \u2014 and close \u2014 any compliance gaps in your organization.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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See why thousands of Canadian organizations trust our innovative WHMIS training and health and safety solutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n