There may be some hazardous products in your company that you or your employees may have to work with. According to the law, it is necessary to provide those workers with the necessary training to avoid any kind of accidents. In this article, we will be sharing information regarding WHMIS safety training in Toronto and who is responsible for WHMIS certification and training in the company.

The WHMIS also known as Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System is a certification training designed to ensure workers have a minimum level of knowledge about hazardous products in the workplace.

According to the law, the employer has the responsibility for providing adequate training to workers.

What is the WHMIS Safety Training Certification?

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System is a national program that was established by several pieces of Canadian legislation. Its purpose is to provide basic safety requirements in Canada and ensure safety for all workers who might be exposed to chemical hazards. Additional legislation can be passed by individual provinces regarding WHMIS. The law remains consistent from one province to the next.

WHMIS 2015 Hazard Classes include:

  • Gases under Pressure
  • Flammables, Self Heating, Emit Flammable Gazes and Pyrophoric gases, Liquids Organic Peroxides
  • Oxidizing Gases, Liquids, Solids
  • Acute Toxicity – Oral and Dermal Inhalation
  • Eye Irritation, Skin Irritation, Skin/Respiratory Sensitization, Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Hazards
  • Biohazardous Infectious materials
  • Corrosive to Metals from Sky/Eye Corrosion
  • Organic Peroxides – Self-Reactive Substances
  • Explosive Substances
  • Aspiration, STOT
  • Combustible Dust
  • Simple Asphyxiants
  • Physical Hazards not otherwise classified; Health Hazards not otherwise classified

If your business uses any product listed above, WHMIS safety training applies and it is mandatory to provide the training to all employees who will be using these products.

Strange symbols, such as the skull-and-crossbones hazard symbol, may be encountered. The symbol may be found on a consumer product, which is one that is available in Canadian stores. This product is not exempt from the exemption.

While you do not have to label a consumer product, it is important to provide training to those who may come in contact with the product.

WHMIS Key Elements

WHMIS provides information to workers on the chemicals they use. The following are the critical components of information delivery for WHMIS:

  • Worker Training Programs
  • Safety Data Sheets to provide detailed information
  • Ensure that all hazardous products are properly labeled as per the guidelines

All employers that have employees at risk from exposure to controlled substances or hazardous materials must provide training. Employers have the responsibility to ensure that employees receive
training before they work with hazardous materials or close to them. We offer the best WHMIS safety training in Toronto.

WHMIS Safety Training Toronto Programme

The program includes a crucial component that teaches employees how to use WHMIS 2015. This program includes anyone who works around, manages, uses, stores, disposes, and supervises workers who are performing any of these duties

When do I need to provide training?

Before working with hazardous products or handling them, WHMIS training is required by law. Depending on the environment, training may also be required periodically. Employers can decide how often their workforce needs WHMIS training.

If you haven’t already, you will need to update your training in order to meet the 2015 WHMIS standards.

You can assess the knowledge level of your employees by reviewing your training policies. Employees who are well-trained know:

  • Where can I find hazard information?
  • What dangers are in your controlled product inventory?
  • What protections are employers required to put in place?
  • How to respond in an emergency?

It is possible that you will need to retrain workers more frequently when:

  • You introduce new hazardous products.
  • You introduce changes in work conditions.
  • Added information about hazards becomes available.
  • To protect your safety and health, you will need to receive additional training

How do I review the training?

Before you can provide or review the training, it is important to identify your training needs. This is done by assessing your workplace and the systems. You should ask the following questions during your investigation:

  • Are you able to identify hazardous products in your inventory?
  • Are all hazardous materials labeled WHMIS?
  • Are the labels in good condition and visible?
  • Have you completed the current SDS for each material in your inventory?
  • Is each SDS complete?
  • Do you have practices for all handling/storage/use/disposal of hazardous products?
  • Are you following the guidelines?

It is also important to inventory your prevention systems, including the:

  • Ventilation system
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Equipment and procedures for emergency response
  • Industrial hygiene facilities
  • Storage facilities
  • Disposal facilities

What Training Should You Include?

Two components are common in training programs

It must first cover basic information about WHMIS. It is good to offer general training and certification online for large and small groups. The course will include the following topics:

  • How WHMIS works and what it is?
  • Hazards in 2015 WHMIS product classes
  • Information on labels and what they mean
  • What does the data mean?
  • Safe use, handling, disposal
  • System for emergency and exposure

The second component will be specific to your site and cover the products and safety measures required for collaborating with them.

What are your responsibilities during the WHMIS transition?

The Canadian Workplace Hazardous Materials Info System (WHMIS) consists of hazard identification, product classification, labeling, and safety data sheets. No matter what your title is, it is important to understand your responsibilities. Safety at work is only possible with knowledge.

Employers Responsibilities

  • Ensure that hazardous substances are labeled as per the requirements
  • Create workplace labels as needed
  • Worker access to the most current SDSs
  • Ensure that appropriate controls are in place to ensure the safety and health of workers
  • You will be receiving hazardous products during the transition period that follows either WHMIS 1998 or WHMIS 2015. It is important to inform workers about both systems
  • Employers are responsible for making sure that their employees are properly trained before they use controlled products
  • You will need to re-label your products after the deadline with compliant labels and SDSs that conform to WHMIS 2015

Employees Responsibilities

  • Participate in WHMIS education or training programs
  • Take the necessary precautions
  • Participate in the identification and control of hazards

Suppliers Responsibilities

  • Suppliers are those companies that import or sell hazardous products
  • Make sure that the hazardous products classification is correct
  • Label the container or product accurately
  • Customers must be provided with a Safety Data Sheet

Looking for the best WHMIS training programs in Toronto? Contact Forklift Training Toronto today to start your training