WHMIS Course Online: Can WHMIS Training be Taken Online?

If you’re a Canadian worker or employer, chances are that you’ve heard the acronym WHMIS at some point. You’ve possibly even taken a WHMIS course at least once in your career. And with new technology emerging, you might have even taken a WHMIS course online in order to get an updated WHMIS certificate.

Moreover, we often hear the question, “Are online WHMIS courses legit”?

The simple answer is, yes! But you need to make sure that you take the correct course from a reputable and established provider. Before we get into what to look for in an online WHMIS course, let’s cover some of the basics about WHMIS and WHMIS training.

What is WHMIS?

WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information system. It’s a Canadian standard that was introduced in 1988 with the purpose of protecting workers from hazardous products in the workplace. It accomplishes this goal by ensuring that workers have very important information about chemicals that they work with or in close proximity to. This information includes the hazards that they pose, how to handle them safely, and what to do in case of an emergency, just to name a few.

WHMIS was updated in 2015 when components of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) were integrated into it. This resulted in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) being replaced with Safety Data Sheets, labels being updated, and new pictograms being introduced which replaced most of the WHMIS symbols.

Get WHMIS Certified

Who Needs to Take a WHMIS Course?

A common question among Canadian workers and employers is, who needs to take a WHMIS course? Depending on who you ask, the answers can vary quite a bit. Some people might tell you that every worker in Canada needs WHMIS training. And yet, others will tell you that only workers who directly handle hazardous products need it. So which one is it?

The primary goal of WHMIS training is to protect the health and safety of Canadian workers. This helps to clarify who needs the training. For someone to require a WHMIS course, they must:

  1. Be a worker in Canada.
  2. Work with or in close proximity to one or more hazardous products.

Number one is simple. We can easily determine if someone is a worker in Canada. Number two can be a bit more tricky. It’s not always easy to determine if a worker will be exposed to hazardous products while at work.

The fact is, hazardous products can be found in almost all workplaces in Canada. Moreover, it doesn’t always matter what a worker’s job position is, as various types of work duties can expose a worker to hazardous products. For example, industrial cleaning products can easily be found in storage throughout a workplace, including a simple office broom closet just steps away from several workers.

To put it simply, most Canadian workers will need to take a WHMIS course at some point throughout their careers. This includes factory workers, healthcare professionals, cleaners, contractors, office staff, and retail workers, just to name a few. Moreover, WHMIS courses will need to be taken by workers in Ontario, BC, Alberta, and all other provinces and territories.

WHMIS Course Throughout Career

Is Taking a WHMIS Course Online an Option?

As we mentioned earlier, taking a WHMIS course online is definitely an option! Technology and online training have come a very long way. What used take a grueling 4+ hour snoozefest, instructor-led training session, can now be accomplished in about an hour or so with online training.

eLearning can be much more effective than instructor-led training for many reasons. For example, people learn at different paces. Instructor-led training usually forces all learners to move at the same pace. This means some learners get left behind, and some are held back unnecessarily. Online training allows individuals to learn at their ideal pace, resulting in improved retention.

Get a WHMIS Certificate Online

If you’re a Canadian worker that needs to get an updated WHMIS certificate, online training is the most convenient option available. Completing an online WHMIS course typically takes between 60 – 90 minutes. Moreover, once the course is completed, you’ll get awarded your certification instantly via PDF. This means that if you need your certificate to start work Monday morning, you can get it Sunday night in the convenience of your own home.

Training Your Employees

Training your employees using traditional training methods can be daunting. The logistics of training large groups of employees at once can slow down or even stall your entire operation. Luckily, with online training, you can train your entire staff with little to no disruption. With the right provider, you can save a ton of time and money.

Canada’s Trusted and Recognized WHMIS Courses

OnlineWHMIS.ca™ is the perfect online WHMIS training solution for workers who need to get their WHMIS certificate quickly, without the hassles of traditional training methods. Our online WHMIS training solution is perfect for:

  • Individuals who are starting new jobs and need their WHMIS certificate prior to starting.
  • Workers who have been directed by their current employers to obtain a WHMIS certificate.
  • Those who want to improve their WHMIS safety knowledge and skills.
  • Self-employed workers and small teams that need WHMIS certificates.
  • Employers that need to provide WHMIS training to their workers quickly and affordably.
  • Employment agencies who need to quickly train their placements in WHMIS.

You can learn more about taking a WHMIS course online here. If you need an online solution to train your workers, you can learn more here. And as always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us at any time 🙂