WHMIS Awareness Course 2026
This course is for workers in Canada, including security guards and site staff, who may come across hazardous products at work. It explains how WHMIS works: hazard groups, pictograms, labels, safety data sheets and who does what. It is general background only and does not replace the workplace-specific WHMIS training your employer must give you.
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 13, 2026.
What you will learn
- Explain what WHMIS is and which laws and agencies set its rules
- Describe the duties of suppliers, employers and workers
- Recognize the WHMIS pictograms and what they warn about
- Read a supplier label and know when a workplace label is needed
- Find key information in the 16 sections of a safety data sheet
- Explain the difference between WHMIS education and workplace training
Score 80% or more to download your certificate.
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Question 1 of 25
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Answer: B. Hazardous Materials
WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.
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Question 2 of 25
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Answer: D. The Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
WHMIS has been aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
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Question 3 of 25
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Answer: B. Hazardous Products Act and its regulations
The Hazardous Products Act and the Hazardous Products Regulations set the supplier rules. Health Canada oversees them.
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Question 4 of 25
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Answer: A. The provincial or territorial OHS regulator
Provincial and territorial occupational health and safety agencies enforce WHMIS in workplaces. The federal Labour Program does so for federally regulated workplaces.
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Question 5 of 25
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Answer: C. Suppliers, such as manufacturers and importers
Suppliers classify hazardous products and provide the labels and safety data sheets.
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Question 6 of 25
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Answer: B. That it is labelled and its SDS is available
Employers must make sure hazardous products are labelled and that up-to-date SDSs are available to workers.
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Question 7 of 25
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Answer: C. Do not use it and tell your supervisor
Workers should not use a product that has no label or an unreadable label, and should ask a supervisor for help.
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Question 8 of 25
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Answer: D. How do I protect myself?
Workers should know the hazards, how to protect themselves, what to do in an emergency and where to get more information.
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Question 9 of 25
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Answer: D. Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
Consumer products are covered by the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, not WHMIS labelling rules. Employers must still train workers to use them safely.
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Question 10 of 25
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Answer: A. Physical hazards
Physical hazards are based on physical or chemical properties such as flammability, reactivity or corrosivity to metals.
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Question 11 of 25
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Answer: C. It is the most hazardous level in that class
In WHMIS, Category 1 is always the greatest level of hazard within its class.
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Question 12 of 25
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Answer: B. Gas cylinder
The gas cylinder pictogram is used for gases under pressure.
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Question 13 of 25
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Answer: D. Oxidizing gases, liquids and solids
The flame over circle pictogram is used for oxidizing gases, oxidizing liquids and oxidizing solids.
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Question 14 of 25
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Answer: D. Health hazard
The health hazard pictogram covers carcinogenicity, along with other serious health effects such as respiratory sensitizers and organ toxicity.
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Question 15 of 25
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Answer: C. Acute toxicity that can be fatal or toxic
Skull and crossbones is used for acute toxicity Categories 1 to 3 (oral, skin or inhalation).
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Question 16 of 25
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Answer: A. Skin or eye irritation
The exclamation mark covers skin and eye irritation, skin sensitizers, less severe acute toxicity and some single-exposure organ effects.
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Question 17 of 25
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Answer: A. How serious the hazard is
"Danger" is used for higher-risk hazards and "Warning" for less severe hazards.
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Question 18 of 25
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Answer: C. Standard phrases on preventing or reducing harm
Precautionary statements are standard phrases on how to prevent or reduce harm, including response (first aid), storage and disposal.
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Question 19 of 25
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Answer: B. A workplace label
A product decanted into another container needs a workplace label. The only exceptions are a product used right away, or one used only by the person who poured it during one shift.
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Question 20 of 25
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Answer: C. Product name, safe handling steps and an SDS reference
A workplace label shows the product name, safe handling precautions and a reference to the SDS if one is available.
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Question 21 of 25
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Answer: A. Section 2, Hazard identification
Section 2 lists the hazard classes and categories and the label elements such as pictograms and signal word.
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Question 22 of 25
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Answer: B. Match the product name on the container with Section 1
Match the product name on the container to the product identifier in Section 1 of the SDS.
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Question 23 of 25
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Answer: D. Workers know how to use it and can ask for a paper copy
Electronic SDSs are allowed if all workers can access them and are trained to use the system, the devices work, and a paper copy is given on request.
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Question 24 of 25
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Answer: C. Site-specific training on your job's products
General WHMIS education applies everywhere, but employers must give training specific to their own workplace, products and procedures.
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Question 25 of 25
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Answer: C. A pest control product
Pest control products are covered by the Pest Control Products Act and are excluded from WHMIS label and SDS rules.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- WHMIS first became law in 1988 and is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
- The federal Hazardous Products Act and Hazardous Products Regulations set the rules for suppliers; provinces and territories regulate WHMIS in workplaces.
- Supplier labels must be in English and French and use the signal word "Danger" or "Warning".
- Every WHMIS safety data sheet has 16 sections in a set order.
- Employers must give workers training that is specific to their own workplace, even if the worker already knows WHMIS.
Frequently asked questions
Does this course count as my WHMIS training?
No. By law, your employer must educate and train you on the hazardous products and procedures at your own workplace. This course is general background knowledge only.
What is the difference between WHMIS education and training?
Education is general information that applies anywhere, such as how labels and SDSs work. Training is specific to your workplace, your job and the products you use.
What should I do if a container has no label?
Do not use it. Tell your supervisor so the product can be identified and properly labelled.
Are household cleaners covered by WHMIS?
Consumer products sold for home use are labelled under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act instead. Your employer must still train you to use and store them safely.
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 any licence, certification or training required by law.