Different occupations have different risks and hazards associated with them. Especially if you work for an industrial factory or facility that handles hazardous materials, the risk of getting injured is much higher than other occupations. In order to protect the worker and employer from the effects and complications of a hazard, the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) was created by Canadian governments and business organizations.
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
As the name implies, the WHMIS is a system used to regulate hazardous materials (“HAZMAT”) in Canada. Because these materials can cause a great deal of damage when mishandled, extensive training has to be done to teach workers to prevent an accident from occuring and how to handle the situation should the accident occur.
The system has several parts, but there are three main components – (1) HAZMAT symbols, (2) Data information sheet, and (3) Staff training. All businesses that handle hazardous waste, byproducts, and raw materials are required to train its staff members in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and Transportation of Dangerous Goods. This is required by Canada’s numerous (nationwide and provincial) legilations on occupational health and safety.
All containers with HAZMAT need to have symbols placed conspciously on them, identifying the contents and its potential hazards (e.g fire hazard, biohazard). The handler of the container is expected to be in possession of the data information sheet, which details exactly what the materials are and the emergency response system.
Potentially Hazardous Wastes
Hazardous wastes can come from anywhere – from medical facilities to food manufacturing companies. Below is a list of the sources of potentially hazardous materials:
- Medical facilities
- Pharmaceutical products
- Production of biocides and phytopharmaceuticals
- Manufacturing and use of wood-preserving chemicals
- Heat treatment and tempering using cyanide
- Mineral oils, water, hydrocarbon mixtures, and emulsions
- Substances containing or contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinates terphenyls, or polybrominated biphenyls
- Tarry residues from refining, distilling, and pyrolytic treatments
- Production of inks, dyes, and other similar products
- Production of resins, latex, plasticizers, and adhesives
WHMIS Training at Ottawa First Aid
Ottawa First Aid offers classroom and online WHMIS training programs. These are both certification programs; students are awarded WHMIS credentials upon completing the program and passing the credentialing examination. There are six units/modules in WHMIS training.
- Classroom WHMIS training is 4 hours long and costs 49.99 dollars
- Online WHMIS training is 3 hours long and costs 29.99 dollars.
Credentials for WHMIS training do not expire like certificates for our other programs (e.g. first aid, CPR, food safety). If a student wishes to update himself/herself, we highly encourage them to take the program again. They can choose not to take the exam since they are technically already certified.
Signing up for the WHMIS program is easy. You can sign up online (preferred by our students) below or visit us from 8 AM to 5 PM. We only offer WHMIS training monthly, so be sure to sign up early to get the slot you want. Other trainees sign up a few months early so our slots tend to get filled up fast.