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.
En bref
Ce cours gratuit comprend environ 30 minutes de leçons et un test de 25 questions. Obtenez 80 % ou plus pour télécharger une attestation de réussite (privée, non accréditée). Vérifié à partir des sources officielles le 11 octobre 2026.
Ce que vous allez apprendre
- 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
Obtenez 80 % ou plus pour télécharger votre certificat.
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Question 1 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 2 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 3 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 4 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. CANUTEC, the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre
CANUTEC is run by Transport Canada and gives emergency response advice for dangerous goods incidents.
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Question 5 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 6 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 7 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. The blue pages, listed by name
The blue pages list materials alphabetically by name, with the guide number to use.
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Question 8 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. The orange pages
The orange pages hold the response guides on hazards, public safety and emergency response.
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Question 9 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Guide 111
The ERG says to use Guide 111 when a DANGER placard is shown or when the material is unknown.
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Question 10 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. 9
TDG sorts dangerous goods into 9 classes, from Class 1 (explosives) to Class 9 (miscellaneous).
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Question 11 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. Class 3
Class 3 is flammable liquids. Class 1 is explosives, Class 6 is toxic and infectious substances and Class 8 is corrosives.
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Question 12 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. A corrosive substance
Class 8 is corrosive substances, which can burn skin and damage metal.
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Question 13 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. Class 2
Class 2 is gases, split into flammable, non-flammable non-toxic, and toxic gases.
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Question 14 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 15 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. The Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
WHMIS 2015 lines up with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
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Question 16 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: D. 16
An SDS has 16 sections in a set order, from identification to other information.
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Question 17 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: C. Section 4, First-aid measures
Section 4 of the SDS lists first-aid measures for each way a person can be exposed.
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Question 18 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. Section 6, Accidental release measures
Section 6 covers accidental release measures, such as containment and clean-up.
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Question 19 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: A. Danger
WHMIS uses two signal words. "Danger" is for more severe hazards and "Warning" for less severe ones.
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Question 20 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 21 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 22 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 23 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 24 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
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Question 25 sur 25
Voir la réponse
Réponse: 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.
Clavier : 1–4 pour répondre, Entrée pour la question suivante.
À savoir avant l’examen
- 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.
Questions fréquentes
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.
L’attestation est-elle accréditée ou reconnue officiellement ?
Non. C’est une attestation de réussite privée, uniquement pour vos connaissances. Elle n’est reconnue, accréditée ni approuvée par aucun gouvernement, organisme de délivrance des permis, autorité de réglementation ou établissement d’enseignement, et elle ne remplace aucun permis, aucune certification ni aucune formation exigés par la loi.
Sources
- Emergency Response Guidebook 2024 (Transport Canada, US DOT, SCT Mexico)
- CANUTEC (Transport Canada)
- TDG: 9 classes of dangerous goods (CCOHS)
- Dangerous goods placards flowchart (Transport Canada)
- WHMIS (Health Canada)
- WHMIS pictograms (CCOHS)
- WHMIS labels (CCOHS)
- Safety data sheets (CCOHS)
- What to do if you smell gas (Enbridge Gas)
- Opioids including fentanyl: precautions for first responders (CCOHS)