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Hazardous Materials Awareness Course for Guards 2026

This course is for security guards and patrol staff in Canada who may come across chemical spills, leaking containers or gas leaks. It covers safe first steps, transport placards and the Emergency Response Guidebook, WHMIS labels and safety data sheets, and unknown substances.

  • Security course
  • Canada
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 30 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Start with the lessonsHazardous Materials Awareness Course: Lessons: about 30 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Approach a hazardous materials scene safely, from upwind, uphill and upstream
  • Isolate the area, keep people back and call the right help
  • Read transport placards and use the Emergency Response Guidebook
  • Find key information on WHMIS labels and safety data sheets
  • Respond safely to natural gas smells and unknown powders

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    You see a liquid leaking from a damaged drum in a loading area. From which direction should you approach?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. From upwind, uphill or upstream

    The Emergency Response Guidebook says to approach from upwind, uphill and/or upstream so vapours and liquids move away from you.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    A gas is leaking but you cannot smell anything. What should you assume?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It may still be dangerous, because some harmful gases have no smell

    The ERG warns never to assume a gas or vapour is harmless just because it has no odour.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    At a hazardous materials spill, what is a security guard's main job before trained responders arrive?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Stay back, keep people away from the area and call 9-1-1

    Guards work at an awareness level: recognize the danger, isolate the area, protect people and notify responders. Do not touch or clean up the material.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    Which Canadian service gives 24-hour emergency advice on dangerous goods in transport?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. CANUTEC, the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre

    CANUTEC is run by Transport Canada and gives emergency response advice for dangerous goods incidents.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    What is the short code for calling CANUTEC from a cellphone in Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. *666

    CANUTEC can be reached at *666 from a cellphone, at 1-888-CAN-UTEC (1-888-226-8832) or at 613-996-6666. Call 9-1-1 first in an emergency.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    In the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), what are the yellow-bordered pages?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A list of materials by their 4-digit ID number

    The yellow pages list materials by ID (UN) number. Each entry points to a guide number in the orange section.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    You know the name of a product but not its ID number. Which ERG pages should you use?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The blue pages, listed by name

    The blue pages list materials alphabetically by name, with the guide number to use.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Which part of the ERG holds the guides that explain hazards and first steps for each group of materials?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The orange pages

    The orange pages hold the response guides on hazards, public safety and emergency response.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    A truck with a DANGER placard is leaking, and nobody knows what it carries. Which ERG guide applies?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Guide 111

    The ERG says to use Guide 111 when a DANGER placard is shown or when the material is unknown.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Under Canada's Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) rules, how many classes of dangerous goods are there?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 9

    TDG sorts dangerous goods into 9 classes, from Class 1 (explosives) to Class 9 (miscellaneous).

  11. Question 11 of 25

    Which TDG class is flammable liquids, such as gasoline?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Class 3

    Class 3 is flammable liquids. Class 1 is explosives, Class 6 is toxic and infectious substances and Class 8 is corrosives.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    A placard on a tanker shows the class number 8. What kind of product is it?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A corrosive substance

    Class 8 is corrosive substances, which can burn skin and damage metal.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Which TDG class covers gases such as propane and oxygen cylinders?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Class 2

    Class 2 is gases, split into flammable, non-flammable non-toxic, and toxic gases.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Some placards show a 4-digit number, such as 1203. What is this number?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The UN number that identifies the product

    The 4-digit UN number identifies the product. Note it from a safe distance and give it to 9-1-1 or CANUTEC.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    WHMIS 2015 is based on which international system?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

    WHMIS 2015 lines up with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

  16. Question 16 of 25

    How many sections does a WHMIS safety data sheet (SDS) have?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 16

    An SDS has 16 sections in a set order, from identification to other information.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    A cleaner splashes a chemical in their eye. Which SDS section gives the first-aid steps?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Section 4, First-aid measures

    Section 4 of the SDS lists first-aid measures for each way a person can be exposed.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Which SDS section explains what to do about a spill or leak?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Section 6, Accidental release measures

    Section 6 covers accidental release measures, such as containment and clean-up.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    On a WHMIS label, which signal word means the more severe hazard?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Danger

    WHMIS uses two signal words. "Danger" is for more severe hazards and "Warning" for less severe ones.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    When is a WHMIS workplace label needed?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. When it is poured into a new container for later use

    A workplace label is needed when a product is decanted into another container, unless it is used right away or stays with the one person who poured it.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    You see this pictogram on a container in a janitor's room. What hazard does it show?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Products that can cause death or serious poisoning

    The skull and crossbones is used for acute toxicity: products that can be fatal or toxic in small amounts.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this WHMIS pictogram, a flame over a circle, warn about?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Oxidizers that can cause or worsen a fire

    The flame over a circle marks oxidizing products, which can start or feed a fire. Keep them away from things that burn.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    On patrol, you smell rotten eggs inside a building. What should you do first?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Leave right away, then call from a safe place

    Natural gas has an added rotten-egg smell. Leave first, then call from a safe location. Do not search for the leak.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    Why should you not flip a light switch or start a vehicle near a suspected gas leak?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A small spark could ignite the gas

    Switches, phones, electronics and engines can spark. Gas utilities say not to use them near a leak.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    Your bare skin touches an unknown powder that may be a drug such as fentanyl. How should you clean it?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Wash with soap and water

    CCOHS advises soap and water. Alcohol-based sanitizer may increase absorption through the skin, and bleach should not be used on skin.

What to know before the test

  • The Emergency Response Guidebook tells first responders to approach from upwind, uphill and/or upstream and to resist rushing in.
  • CANUTEC, run by Transport Canada, gives dangerous goods emergency advice at 1-888-CAN-UTEC (1-888-226-8832), 613-996-6666 or *666 by cellphone.
  • Canada's Transportation of Dangerous Goods rules sort dangerous goods into 9 classes.
  • A WHMIS safety data sheet has 16 sections. First aid is in Section 4 and spill steps are in Section 6.
  • Natural gas has an added smell like rotten eggs. If you smell it, leave first and call from a safe place.

Frequently asked questions

Should a security guard clean up a chemical spill?

No. Unless you are trained and equipped for it, your job is to stay back, keep people away, call 9-1-1 and report. Follow your site's spill plan and post orders.

What information should I give 9-1-1 or CANUTEC?

Your exact location, what you see, any placard numbers or product names you can read from a safe distance, wind direction, and whether anyone is hurt or exposed.

What is the Emergency Response Guidebook?

It is a guidebook for first responders to dangerous goods incidents, shared by Canada, the United States and Mexico. The current edition is ERG 2024. It helps you find the right guide from a placard number or product name.

Is this the same as WHMIS training?

No. This course reviews WHMIS basics for awareness. Employers must still give workers WHMIS training for the products at their own workplace.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.

Sources

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