WHMIS Training: Reduce the Risks of Hazardous Materials

Food preparation and service is more complex than it appears. The risks extend beyond basic food handling activities to include the use of hazardous materials, such as chemicals, used for food preparation, cleaning and sanitizing.

Not only do these substances present a threat to the safety of the staff that handle them, but they can also impact the health of customers through food contamination. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is in place to prevent such incidents, and the Canadian Institute of Food Safety (CIFS) is now providing a brand-new WHMIS course to help Canadian food businesses meet the training requirements prescribed by this legislation.

Before we explore the CIFS WHMIS Certification course in more detail, let’s set the scene with an overview of WHMIS legislation in Canada.

WHMIS legislation

In Canada, federal and provincial legislation requires the implementation of WHMIS protocols to maintain a safe environment for staff and consumers. WHMIS guidelines apply to all industries and workplaces, including commercial food businesses, where chemicals and other hazardous materials are present. 

WHMIS legislation has been in place in Canada since 1988. Changes were made in 2015 in order to align more closely with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and further amendments came into effect in 2022. The current regulations focus on three key areas:

1. Labelling: Hazards must be clearly communicated with key labelling information such as product identifiers, pictograms (symbols), signal words, initial supplier identifiers and workplace labels.
2. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs): SDSs must be readily available to all staff members and include details such as chemical composition, health and safety implications, required safety precautions and record keeping procedures. These documents should also provide clear guidance regarding safe storage, handling and disposal of hazardous substances.
3. Training: All employees who encounter hazardous substances in the workplace must undergo professional WHMIS training that covers the necessary topics, including legal frameworks, hazard classification, labelling, SDSs and emergency procedures.

What happens if a business fails to comply with WHMIS legislation?

Failure to comply with the regulations outlined above can result in fines, business closure or imprisonment.

The fines imposed can be particularly damaging for small and medium-sized businesses. The government has the power to penalize offenders in the following ways:

• Federal: Fines of up to $1 million (CAD) and a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
• Provincial: Equivalent penalties and prison terms, plus potential licence suspensions and temporary business closures.

If injury or illness is caused by a breach of WHMIS regulations, the offending business may also have to manage a costly civil lawsuit.

WHMIS training

To ensure compliance, food industry professionals in Canada must complete a recognized training program and obtain WHMIS Certification. 

The CIFS WHMIS Certification course is a government-approved training program that enables participants to achieve certification online while gaining the knowledge needed for the safe handling of hazardous materials.

By completing the WHMIS Certification course, CIFS students learn how to do the following in accordance with WHMIS regulations:

• Identify hazardous materials: The main objective of WHMIS is to identify and classify hazardous materials used in the workplace. The WHMIS course provides food industry professionals with the knowledge required to identify these materials and understand their potential risks.
• Handle chemicals safely: Many chemicals used in the food industry, such as cleaning agents and sanitizers, can become a health hazard if handled incorrectly. The WHMIS course offers guidance on the safe handling, storage and disposal of chemicals, minimizing the likelihood of contamination and adverse health effects.
• Respond to risks: The WHMIS course empowers food industry workers with the information they need to recognize potential hazards and respond appropriately. This not only safeguards the well-being of employees but also contributes to the overall safety of the food supply chain.

Who needs to complete WHMIS training?

Various roles within the food industry require WHMIS Certification. Here are some common examples:

• Food Handlers: Those who directly handle food products and ingredients must be aware of the hazards associated with chemicals used in food processing and sanitation.
• Maintenance workers: These workers often deal with cleaning agents and other chemicals that require WHMIS training.
• Managers and supervisors: Individuals in these roles need to understand WHMIS to ensure their teams are properly trained and to oversee the safe handling of hazardous materials.
• Transport and delivery personnel: Those responsible for transporting hazardous materials must understand WHMIS regulations to prevent accidents during transit.
• Warehouse staff: Employees who handle and store hazardous products must be trained to ensure safe storage and handling practices.

WHMIS Certification process

CIFS has made it possible to obtain WHMIS Certification by following four simple steps. Additionally, the WHMIS Certification course is online and self-paced, meaning you can learn anywhere and at any time!

1. Enroll

Head online and register for our government-approved WHMIS Certification course here.

2. Complete the training

The WHMIS course is divided into seven lessons and features a variety of engaging content including interactive learning activities, informative videos and useful bonus resources that can be used in your workplace.

Lesson 1 - What is WHMIS?

Lesson 2 - WHMIS Laws

Lesson 3 - WHMIS Groups, Categories & Classes 

Lesson 4 - WHMIS Symbols & Pictograms

Lesson 5 - Product Labels

Lesson 6 - Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Lesson 7 - Protection Measures & Best Practices

This self-paced online training program is both convenient and easy to navigate, making onboarding and completion quick and simple.

3. Pass the assessment

After completing the training modules, you will need to pass an assessment to demonstrate your understanding of WHMIS principles. This assessment ensures that you have retained the necessary knowledge to work safely with hazardous materials. The assessment consists of two parts:

• Quiz: At the end of each lesson, there is a multiple choice quiz. You must score at least 70% on each quiz to unlock the next part of the course, and you have unlimited attempts to achieve this.
• Final exam: At the end of the course you will take part in a certification exam consisting of 35 multiple choice questions. Again, you must achieve a score of at least 70% to pass the assessment and have an unlimited number of attempts to do so. 

It is an open-book exam, so you can refer to course resources and your own course notes as needed to help you answer the exam questions.

4. Become certified

Once all lessons and assessment activities have been completed to a satisfactory standard, you will receive your WHMIS Certificate of Achievement which verifies that you have successfully completed the required training and are competent in handling hazardous materials safely.

This certificate will be sent via email, enabling you to download it immediately and add it to your certification records.

Take the next step to WHMIS Certification

Ready to improve the way your business handles hazardous materials? Enroll in WHMIS training online or contact us today to discover how our WHMIS Certification course can help preserve the safety of your staff and customers in line with WHMIS legislation.