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For food industry staff, understanding hazardous materials is a critical aspect of ensuring workplace safety.
Completing a WHMIS online course is the easiest and most flexible way to gain this essential knowledge without disrupting your busy schedule. With the Canadian Institute of Food Safety (CIFS), you can access a WHMIS Course online with up to 30 days to complete it, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
In this blog, we will walk you through everything you need to know to enrol in and complete your WHMIS Course online.
What is WHMIS?
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada’s national system for communicating information about hazardous workplace products. It provides workers with the knowledge they need to safely handle chemicals and other dangerous substances.
First introduced in 1988, WHMIS legislation underwent significant updates in 2015 to align Canadian regulations with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Further refinements were made in 2022, bringing the system to its current standards. Today, WHMIS regulations focus on three key aspects:
1. Labelling
Clear communication of hazards is mandatory, with labels including crucial information such as product identifiers, pictograms, signal words, initial supplier identifiers and workplace labels.
2. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
SDSs must be easily accessible to all employees, providing detailed information on chemical composition, health risks, safety precautions and record-keeping requirements. They should also outline proper storage, handling and disposal procedures for hazardous materials.
3. Education and training
Employees who handle or may encounter hazardous substances are legally required to receive both WHMIS education and workplace-specific WHMIS training.
WHMIS education provides foundational knowledge of the system, including legal requirements, hazard classes, labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), worker rights and general safe handling principles
Workplace-specific WHMIS training, provided by the employer, applies this knowledge to the actual hazardous products, procedures and emergency response protocols used at the job site.
Both components are required to ensure compliance and to help protect workers from chemical-related hazards in the workplace.
Why should you choose an online WHMIS Course?
CIFS offers an online WHMIS Course that not only ensures food businesses comply with federal and provincial regulations but also helps prioritize workplace safety.
For food industry workers, attending in-person courses can be challenging due to demanding shifts and tight schedules. That’s why taking the CIFS WHMIS Course is a smarter choice:
- Flexibility: Access the course anytime, anywhere, on any device.
- Self-Paced: Learn at your own speed with up to 30 days to complete the course.
- Cost-Effective: No travel costs or missed work shifts.
- Instant Access: Start learning immediately after enrolling.
By completing this online WHMIS Course, you can ensure you meet safety standards without sacrificing work hours or personal time.
Step-by-step guide to completing the WHMIS online course
CIFS has simplified the process of obtaining WHMIS Certification into three easy steps.
Step 1: Enroll in the course
Getting started is quick and easy. Simply visit the WHMIS Course page and register for our government-approved WHMIS Course. Once you have provided your details and completed the payment process you will have instant online access to course materials.
Step 2: Work through the course modules
The WHMIS Course consists of seven lessons and includes a range of engaging materials, such as interactive activities, instructional videos and valuable bonus resources designed for workplace use.
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
At the end of each lesson, you will complete a multiple-choice quiz, which requires a minimum score of 70% to progress to the next section. You have unlimited attempts to achieve this score.
Step 3: Pass the final exam
After completing all seven lessons, you must pass a certification exam to demonstrate your understanding of WHMIS principles. The 60-minute exam includes 35 multiple-choice questions, and a minimum score of 70% is required to pass. If you do not achieve the target score, you can retake the exam as many times as needed.
It is an open-book exam, allowing you to refer to course materials and personal notes while answering the questions.
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What to do |
Key details |
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Enrol in the course |
Register online, make payment if required, and gain access to course materials immediately. |
|
Work through the modules |
Complete lessons on WHMIS basics, hazard symbols, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and safe handling practices. |
|
Take quizzes |
Pass short quizzes after each module; a minimum score is usually required to proceed. |
|
Pass the final exam |
Complete the final test to confirm understanding of WHMIS rules and safe workplace practices. |
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Receive certification |
Upon passing, download your WHMIS certificate to keep for employer records or compliance. |
WHMIS Certification
After successfully completing all lessons and assessment activities to the required standard, you will be awarded a WHMIS Certificate of Completion. This certificate confirms that you have completed the necessary training and are able to handle hazardous materials safely.
The certificate will be delivered to you via email, enabling you to download and store it digitally for future reference.
Take the next step toward workplace safety
Completing a WHMIS Course doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. With CIFS, you can gain the knowledge and certification you need to handle hazardous materials safely – all on your own schedule.
Ready to get started? Enroll in the CIFS WHMIS Course online today or contact us to take the first step toward creating a safer workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long does the WHMIS Course take to complete?
A. Most participants complete the WHMIS online course in just one hour, but you have up to 30 days to finish it. Additionally, the final exam comes with a 60-minute time limit.
Q. Is the course 100% online?
A. Yes. The WHMIS Course is 100% online and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Q. Can I access the course on a smartphone?
A. Yes. The course is fully responsive and works on smartphones, tablets and computers.
Q. Do I need to renew my WHMIS Certificate of Completion?
A. Your WHMIS Certificate of Completion is valid while you remain with your current employer. However, you may need to renew your certification if you change jobs or regulations are updated.
Q. What skills do I need to complete the WHMIS course?
A. The course content is delivered via an automated slide pack and audio narration to accommodate students who prefer to learn by listening or watching. As this is an online course, a basic level of computer literacy is required.
Q. Who should take the WHMIS course?
A. Anyone who handles, uses, stores or comes into contact with hazardous materials in the workplace must complete an accredited WHMIS education program.
