Since about 2015, a similar, yet slightly different question pops up as we approach the new year. That question may be something like, “Do my employees or I need WHMIS XXXX training?” The XXXX represents either the upcoming or current year so for this time of year, the question is something along the lines of, “Is there such thing as WHMIS 2018 and WHMIS 2018 Training”

It’s entirely understandable that wondering about WHMIS 2018 and WHMIS 2018 training would be common since there actually was a WHMIS 2015. In fact, there STILL is a WHMIS 2015.

To answer the primary question, no. There haven’t been any changes to WHMIS since Canada integrated elements of the GHS into WHMIS back in 2015 so there is no WHMIS 2018 or WHMIS 2018 training. BUT this doesn’t mean that you or your workers may not need updated WHMIS training! Read on…

WHMIS 2018 Training vs. WHMIS 2015 Training

After the changes went into effect in February 2015, people started referring to the “new” WHMIS as WHMIS 2015 and the “old” WHMIS as WHMIS 1988. It was important to distinguish the two from each other because significant changes were made that impacted several components of the system, including what information workers were required to receive during WHMIS training.

If you’ve seen a reference to WHMIS 2015 training in 2015, it probably made perfect sense to you. If you continued to see references to WHMIS 2015 through 2016 and 2017, you may have asked, “what the heck!”. In most cases, if a training program references WHMIS 2015 in its outline, it’s because it covers the WHMIS 2015 content.

Is this good enough? Nope. There’s a transition period that will last through 2018 where workers need training on both WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015.

Updated WHMIS Training in 2018

There’s a good chance that you or your workers will encounter elements from both WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015 through 2018. If you’re a worker who hasn’t taken updated WHMIS Training that covers WHMIS 2015, you need to do that right away.

If you’re an employer and you haven’t yet provided updated WHMIS training to your workers that covers the WHMIS 2015 elements, then you need to do that asap.

Workers should also still be trained on WHMIS 1988 elements, as they can be found in the workplace until late 2018 when the WHMIS 2015 transitional period comes to an end late in 2018.

If you or your employees have recently taken updated WHMIS training, then you may not need to update it in 2018. This is, however, dependent on what’s required in your workplace. If your workplace does WHMIS training annually, then finding WHMIS training in 2018 that covers both systems will be required

If you’re a worker that’s exposed to chemicals in your workplace, be sure to ask your supervisor if you need WHMIS training, if you haven’t already.

WHMIS Training Options in 2018

Luckily, there are plenty of great ways to get WHMIS Certified or provide the correct WHMIS training to your workers in 2018.

Companies can provide WHMIS training through instructor-led classroom sessions, WHMIS-based videos, and for the ultimate time and cost-saving convenience, Online Training. Instructor-led sessions can be supplemented with high-quality training material that saves your internal trainers time and assists in providing a clear, consistent message.

If you’re a worker and you’ve been given the task to get WHMIS certified, Online WHMIS Training may be your best option. High-Quality WHMIS Training can be completed in less time than traditional methods and at your own pace. You also can complete training anywhere, from any device, if you have a reliable high-speed internet connection. Online WHMIS Training is typically much more affordable and offers higher value than traditional methods.

Regardless of what method you choose to get certified or provide WHMIS training in 2018 to your staff, make sure that it covers both WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015.