WHMIS E-COURSE ENABLES WORKERS TO WORK SAFELY WITH HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) released WHMIS for Workers, a new e-learning course to help train employees to recognize and work safely with hazardous materials in the workplace.

The course, which takes about 50 to 60 minutes to complete, helps workers understand and follow WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), Canada’s system of providing safety information about hazardous products used in Canadian workplaces.

The course teaches workers about their responsibilities, WHMIS classes, symbols and their meaning, material safety data sheets (MSDSs), and labels. WHMIS for Workers also includes practical advice on basic health and safety measures to protect the worker from chemical hazards and to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Quizzes throughout the module allow the participant to test their knowledge of the course material.

CCOHS developed this course using the accumulated experience of our information services since WHMIS began in 1988. Delivered over the Internet in an e-learning format, the course is cost effective and makes training easily accessible. As its name states, WHMIS for Workers is suitable for all
workers who need WHMIS training and would be especially relevant for those in workplaces where chemical products are used, students in science and technology programs, or young workers preparing for a new job. It is a valuable tool for human resources and safety professionals with responsibility for training and compliance.

CCOHS is committed to providing Canadian workers, management and businesses with the health and safety education and information they need to meet their responsibilities and develop a safety culture in the workplace, in easy-to-access, electronic format.

The French version of WHMIS for Workers is planned for release in early 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Eleanor Irwin, Manager – Marketing, Sales and Communications
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
905/572-2981, Ext. 4408 mailto:eleanori@ccohs.ca
Visit CCOHS on the web: http://www.ccohs-cchst.gc.ca

About CCOHS
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), formed in 1978, is a Canadian federal government agency based in Hamilton, Ontario. CCOHS provides Canadians with unbiased, relevant information and advice
that supports responsible decision-making and promotes safe and healthy working environments. CCOHS makes a wide range of occupational health and safety information readily available, in language that is appropriate for all users, from the general public to the health and safety professional. Internationally, the Centre is renowned as an innovative, authoritative occupational health and safety resource. CCOHS partners and collaborates with agencies and organizations from Canada and around the world to
improve the quality and quantity of resources and programs, as well as expand the breadth of usage of occupational health information to many different segments of society.