WHMIS 2015

What is WHMIS 2015?

WHMIS 2015 (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) is Canada's national hazard communication standard for workplace chemicals and hazardous materials. Updated in 2015 to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), WHMIS training teaches workers to identify hazardous products through standardized labels, safety data sheets (SDS), and pictograms. On construction sites, workers regularly encounter hazardous substances including adhesives, solvents, paints, concrete admixtures, welding fumes, and asbestos-containing materials.

Every worker in Canada who may be exposed to hazardous materials in the workplace must complete WHMIS training. This is a federal requirement under the Hazardous Products Act and is enforced provincially through OHS legislation. On construction sites, this includes virtually all workers — from labourers handling concrete and solvents to electricians working with chemical sealants and painters using volatile coatings.

Why Expiration Tracking Matters

While WHMIS training technically does not have a fixed legal expiry date set by federal legislation, most provinces and employers require annual refresher training or retraining whenever new hazardous products are introduced to the workplace. Construction companies and site owners routinely require proof of WHMIS training completed within the past 1-3 years. Without current WHMIS training, workers may be denied site access, and employers face fines for non-compliance with OHS regulations — which can range from $250 to over $500,000 depending on the province and severity.

Provincial Requirements & Regulations

WHMIS is federal legislation (Hazardous Products Act) but enforced by each province through their OHS regulations. Ontario's OHSA Regulation 860 requires employer-specific WHMIS education. Alberta's OHS Code Part 29 mandates WHMIS training. BC's WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation requires WHMIS education under Part 5. Quebec's CNESST regulations similarly enforce WHMIS. While the core GHS-aligned content is consistent nationwide, each province may have additional requirements for documentation and record-keeping.

Renewal Process

WHMIS refresher training should be completed annually or whenever workplace conditions change (new products, new processes). The refresher is typically shorter than initial training — often 1-2 hours vs. 4-8 hours for the full course. Many approved providers offer online WHMIS refresher courses for convenience. Workers should keep records of each training session.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming WHMIS training never expires — while there's no fixed federal expiry, most employers and provinces require regular refreshers
• Completing generic online WHMIS training without the required workplace-specific component
• Not understanding the difference between WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015 (GHS-aligned) — the old system is no longer valid
• Failing to keep training records — without proof, it's as if you were never trained

Issuing Authority

CCOHS

www.ccohs.ca

Contact

Online form

Phone

1-800-668-4284

Frequently Asked Questions