Here’s the truth—hazardous products aren’t limited to labs or factories. They’re tucked away in janitor closets, stocked in auto shops, used daily in clinics, salons, and just about everywhere else. If your workplace handles cleaners, adhesives, paints, fuels, or anything bearing a WHMIS label, you’ve got legal obligations. And training is at the top of that list.
Too many businesses in Canada still treat WHMIS like it’s optional—or worse, a one-and-done chore. IT’S NOT. It’s mandatory. And getting it wrong can cost you in more ways than one.
So let’s break down what WHMIS is, why online training works (and works well), and how Calgary Safety Consultants makes it easy to stay compliant without burning time or budget.
WHMIS stands for the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. It’s Canada’s national communication standard for hazardous products in the workplace. Every province and territory has adopted it into their occupational health and safety laws. The system is meant to ensure that workers:
WHMIS was updated in 2015 to align with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), so if you’re still running on outdated training from before then—you’ve already got a compliance problem.
You can read more from Canada’s official source here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/occupational-health-safety/workplace-hazardous-materials-information-system.html
Short answer: almost every workplace in Canada.
Longer answer: If you have any hazardous product on-site—whether it’s bleach, acetone, compressed gases, or corrosives—you’re required to provide WHMIS education and training.
This applies to:
Every employer must ensure that workers who use or are exposed to hazardous products receive proper WHMIS training. That’s spelled out in both federal and provincial legislation.
For federally regulated businesses (like banks, telecom, airlines), here’s the law:
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2016-141/page-2.html
In Alberta, check this out:
https://www.alberta.ca/whmis-requirements.aspx
Let’s not sugarcoat it—non-compliance can land you in hot water. Think:
What is the worst-case scenario? A serious chemical incident where you can’t prove training was done properly. You don’t want to be explaining that to a government officer—or a judge.
Old-school, in-person WHMIS sessions are fine—but they’re also outdated for most workplaces. Here’s why online WHMIS training is the better move for businesses across Canada:
Flexibility
Your team can complete the training when it fits their schedule. No booking boardrooms or shutting down operations. Workers can train from a desktop, laptop, or even their phones.
Consistency
Everyone gets the same info, the same standards, and the same level of instruction. That means fewer gaps in understanding—and better results in the field.
Trackability
Online training platforms let you keep records, track completions, issue certificates, and send reminders when training needs to be refreshed. It’s compliance made visible.
Cost-Efficiency
No travel. No instructor fees. No overtime. Just effective, certified WHMIS training for a fraction of the cost of traditional classroom sessions.
Here’s where it gets sketchy. There are plenty of $10 “WHMIS certificate” sites online that give you a PDF after a three-question quiz. But if the training:
…it’s not valid.
If an inspector asks for proof and you point to one of these discount sites, you’ll be out of luck. Worse, you’ll be out of compliance.
No matter what, your workplace will still need to fill in the gaps with site-specific training—covering the actual hazardous materials used on-site. Providing that awareness, and documenting it properly, is a key part of demonstrating due diligence.
At Calgary Safety Consultants, we offer online WHMIS training designed by certified OH&S professionals who know the legislation inside and out. Our platform is clean, mobile-friendly, and tailored for real workplaces.
Here’s what you get with us:
We also help employers go beyond generic training. Need workplace-specific WHMIS instruction? We can build a custom training module or give your supervisors tools to deliver it themselves.
Get started or learn more here:
https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca/online-whmis-training/
Checkout our other WHMIS offerings at:
https://learnformula.com/course/whmis-2015
We mentioned it above, but a lot of companies think an online WHMIS course is enough. It’s not the whole picture.
The law says you also need to provide site-specific training. That includes:
We help businesses create those procedures. Whether you're a one-location business or a multi-site operation, we can help you get—and stay—compliant.
It’s not a “set-it-and-forget-it” deal. Most provinces recommend annual reviews and require re-training when:
Calgary Safety Consultants offers annual reminders and bulk re-certification options to make this simple.
If you’re managing people, you’re responsible for their health and safety. That includes giving them the tools, knowledge, and training to work safely around hazardous products. Online WHMIS training is a low-effort, high-impact way to do just that.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
We’ll help you get compliant—and stay that way.
Yes. Both federal and provincial occupational health and safety legislation mandate WHMIS education and workplace-specific training.
Yes. Calgary Safety Consultants provides WHMIS 2015 compliant online training for Canadian workplaces, along with customized support and documentation for compliance.
Training should be reviewed annually and updated when new hazardous products are introduced or when roles or procedures change.
Calgary Safety Consultants is here to help you ensure compliance, enhance safety, and streamline your OH&S program. Don’t wait—fill out the form, and we’ll connect with you to discuss how we can support your business. Let’s get started!
Calgary Safety Consultants delivers game-changing COR Audits and OH&S consulting designed to keep your business safe, compliant, and accident-free. With 30+ years of expertise in high-risk industries like oil & gas, construction, and manufacturing, we understand the unique challenges you face. We offer tailored safety solutions that not only meet regulatory standards but also reduce operational risks and protect your workforce. From conducting thorough safety audits to implementing comprehensive safety management systems, we ensure your team is fully supported. Our hands-on, collaborative approach means we're with you every step of the way, helping you achieve a safer, more efficient workplace. Let us handle the heavy lifting so your team stays protected, and your business thrives!
