WHMIS Certificate: How to Get Yours

One of the most searched keyword phrases relating to WHMIS is, “How to get your WHMIS certificate”. This is not surprising since just about every Canadian worker will need to get a valid WHMIS certificate at some point throughout their career. Many jobs require that employees take WHMIS training on a regular basis, even as often as every one to two years.

Chemical Product Dangers

Many workplaces contain chemical products that are dangerous. Workers can be exposed to these products either frequently or infrequently. While infrequent exposure might lessen the risk or illness or injury, it doesn’t eliminate it. In some cases, being exposed to a chemical just one time can result in negative health effects, including death. When you consider this, it’s not unreasonable to require that workers maintain their WHMIS certificate through regular training.

There’s no dispute that WHMIS and WHMIS Training contribute to reduced injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.

What exactly are the requirements are for getting a WHMIS certificate? Let’s examine things more closely to find out.

What Exactly is a WHMIS Certificate?

So there’s no confusion, let’s clarify exactly what exactly a WHMIS certificate is.

A WHMIS certificate is a document that indicates an individual has received some form of WHMIS instruction, training, or information. The purpose of a WHMIS certificate is to “certify” that its holder is knowledgeable in the WHMIS topics presented.

Types of WHMIS Certificates

WHMIS certificates can come in a lot of different formats. Two of the most common types are in the form of an 8.5 X 11 inch document and a smaller, more compact wallet card.

Many workers find that wallet card WHMIS certificates are convenient since they can be carried around more easily than a large document. This is important if a company or local jurisdiction’s health and safety organization require that workers carry their WHMIS certificates while they’re on the job.

Electronic Certificates

It’s important to note that WHMIS certificates aren’t always physical documents. With technology where it is today, WHMIS certificates now com in some form of electronic format. WHMIS certificates which are issued for WHMIS training taken online are usually in PDF format.

Other Names

WHMIS certificates are not necessarily called “WHMIS certificates” all the time. Sometimes, they’re referred to as a WHMIS card, WHMIS paper, and even WHMIS license. Despite what they are referred to, as previously mentioned, their purpose is to “certify” that the individual named on the certificate is knowledgeable in WHMIS.

Are All WHMIS Certificates Equal?

Does having any old WHMIS certificate satisfy the many requirements surrounding WHMIS? Definitely not.

There are many different methods for getting a WHMIS certificate. Most revolve around getting some type of training, information, and instruction. There are, however, a lot of factors that can affect the quality of WHMIS training.

You should always be very selective when you’re looking for a means to get a WHMIS certificate. This will help you to ensure that the training and information that you receive is of the highest quality.

If your company is providing the training, make sure that you ask a lot of questions and stay actively involved throughout the training.

If you’re taking the training from a WHMIS training provider, be sure that they’re reputable. Also, make sure that their training is current and up to date. This is very important since there was recently a significant update to WHMIS in 2015. There’s new information that must be included in your training.

Since the update, WHMIS became referred to as WHMIS 2015.

New WHMIS 2015 Training Requirements

WHMIS 2015 has new labeling requirements, new images called pictograms, and new documents called Safety Data Sheets, which replace Material Safety Data Sheets.

All of these new WHMIS components must be included in any training that you receive. Also, since there is a transition period that lasts until 2018, you must also receive training on WHMIS 1988 as well.

In order to receive a valid and reputable WHMIS certificate, the WHMIS training you take must include information from both WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015.

Methods to Get Your WHMIS Certificate

Proper WHMIS Education and Training is a requirement for getting a legitimate WHMIS certificate. Of course, there are a lot of different methods and sources of WHMIS training. The method that you choose to get your WHMIS certificate is dependent on several factors.

Here are some of the most common methods of training that can result in you receiving your WHMIS certificate.

Classroom WHMIS Training

One of the most traditional ways to get your WHMIS certificate is through classroom-based WHMIS training. Classroom training usually takes place at your company or at the location of an external WHMIS training provider. This training usually includes lecture components and some type of visual aid such as a PowerPoint presentation.

This type of WHMIS training can be fairly effective, especially when supplementing with high-quality training materials. A workshop format that encourages group discussion revolving on workplace specific applications are ideal.

There are some downfalls associated with classroom-based WHMIS training. One of the main downfalls is that it usually takes much longer than some of the new methods of training. Some WHMIS training classes can take up to eight hours to complete effectively. Yikes!

Video-based WHMIS Training

A lot of companies use video-based WHMIS training to certify their workers in WHMIS. Video-based WHMIS training can be fairly effective if using a high-quality video that is compliant, and up to the current standard.

Video-based WHMIS training, like other methods, has some downfalls. For instance, it lacks the interactivity that comes with high-quality classroom-based training or some of the newer online WHMIS training courses.

If you choose to get your WHMIS certificate via video-based training, make sure that it’s modern, up to date, and covers both WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015.

Self-Teach WHMIS Training

Self-teach programs come in the form of a WHMIS workbook or manual that a learner is required to complete on their own. The effectiveness of self-teach programs can vary depending on a lot of things.

This method is sometimes combined with classroom-based training to create a blended approach. This works well as it has the benefits of both, but eliminates some of the downfalls.

One downfall with this method is that it tends to result in “lingering” and prolonged learning. If you plan on taking a “self-teach” program to get your WHMIS certificate, make sure that you complete the training in a reasonable amount of time.

Online WHMIS Training

Online WHMIS training is quickly becoming one of the most popular and convenient methods for getting a WHMIS certificate due to the many benefits. These benefits include reasonable pricing, the ability to take the training at your own pace, the ability to take the training from anywhere, and getting access to your WHMIS certificate instantly once the training is completed. Many online WHMIS courses can be completed in around 60 – 90 minutes.

Just as the other methods, there are some downfalls with online WHMIS training as well.

One downfall is the difficulty in choosing from the many online WHMIS training providers. While many are reputable and provide great training, others are not. If you decide to get your WHMIS certificate through online training, choose a provider that is reputable. Make sure that the course contains some of the characteristics discussed throughout this article, and that it covers both WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015. Training on just one of the systems isn’t good enough.

Digital WHMIS Certificate? (Digital Badges)

Digital Badges or, Digital Credentials, are very powerful new tools for identifying and validating people’s skills, knowledge, accomplishments, and competencies.

Basically, a Digital Badge is an online representation of a skill you’ve learned or knowledge that you’ve acquired.

Like the way a boy/girl scout would earn a physical badge, Digital Badges are earned online when a learner acquires a certain skill or passes an online course or exam.

A Digital Badges is a graphical image with embedded information detailing the specific learner and their new credential. When a Digital Badge is earned, it’s stored and accessible from an online learner account. This means that Digital Badges can be conveniently accessed anytime and anywhere through a mobile device, allowing a learner to display credentials and prove certification instantly.

What does this have to do with WHMIS Certificates?

Many progressive online training providers are now providing Digital Badges to learners who complete their training programs! We’re very happy to let you know that we currently provide a Digital Badge for the successful completion of our online WHMIS training course, in addition to our standard Certificate and Wallet Card:)

This Digital Badge acts as another form of your WHMIS certificate.

Do You Have to Always Carry Your WHMIS Certificate?

Whether or not you have to carry your WHMIS certificate with you at all times during work is an important and common question.

There’s nothing in the legislation that requires you to keep your WHMIS certificate in your possession at all times while at work.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be required to carry your certificate with you, since your company may require this.

The Cost of Getting Your WHMIS Certificate

The costs to get a WHMIS certificate can vary significantly.

In a lot of cases, your employer will be providing the training for you, and it won’t cost you anything. In other cases, you may need to pay for the training on your own.

WHMIS training shouldn’t just be affordable. It should provide a lot of value. In fact, most of the time, the value is more important than price!

What exactly are you getting for your money when you pay for WHMIS training. You shouldn’t think of it as simply buying a WHMIS certificate. There are many factors that can increase the value of your WHMIS training purchase. Is both a WHMIS certificate and a digital badge included in the price? If they are, how often can you view and print them? How long can you access them for – does access expire at some point? What if you don’t pass the quizzes or exams on the first try; can you take them again for free?

These are all things to be considered that can significantly increase the value of your purchase.

Free Online WHMIS Training?

Some WHMIS training is offered online for free. While this may be an OK option for some, the free options typically don’t have the same level of quality as the paid options. Many of the free options currently available are not updated to include the new WHMIS 2015 components. As mentioned earlier, you should only take training that covers both WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015.

At the same time, there are some very expensive options. Just because the price is very high, doesn’t mean the quality is.

Remember, do your research and find the provider that offers you the most value for your money.

Workplace Specific WHMIS Training

A lot of the methods available to get your WHMIS certificate do not include workplace specific training.

Workplace specific WHMIS training might not be required in every case, but there are MANY scenarios where your will need workplace specific training EVEN after you have obtained your WHMIS certificate. It’s the responsibility of your company to assess the workplace, the processes, and the hazardous products used, and determine if you’ll need additional workplace specific training.

What Does Workplace Specific WHMIS Training Include?

One thing is certain, if you’ll be directly handling hazardous products, then you will need workplace specific training. If you don’t receive it, you need to ask for it before working with the hazardous products.

Workplace specific training cannot be provided by a third party and must be provided by your employer.

Workplace specific WHMIS training, commonly referred to as “practical training” or “onsite training” includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

• Specific safety precautions
• Emergency procedures
• Handling and use requirements
• Required PPE, where to find it, and how it’s used
• Specialized policies and procedures
• Emergency procedures for specific hazardous products
• How to access safety data sheets (SDSs) at a workplace
• Workplace labeling requirements

What Now?

Now you know all about WHMIS certificates, and what you need to do to get yours.

Remember, it’s more than just getting your WHMIS certificate; it’s about learning how to be safe, and how to protect yourself and your co-workers from chemical hazards at work. Good WHMIS training will arm you with the knowledge and tools you need to prevent injuries, serious illnesses, and even death. Please, take it seriously.