📚 Guide by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety — The Hazard Communication course develops workplace supervisory, communication, and office management skills for safety-critical Canadian industries. Delivered online by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety Calgary.
🔗 Related Safety Mom courses & guides: H2S Alive Calgary · Standard First Aid Calgary · Oil Sands Safety Certs · Instructor: Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC
HAZARD COMMUNICATION ONLINE COURSE OVERVIEW:
Chemical exposure can cause debilitating immediate and long-term health effects, including death. To protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace, OSHA established the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The HCS is a globally harmonized system of hazard communication.
The purpose of the Globally Harmonized System is to standardized how we communicated about chemical hazards in the workplace. In this course the worker will learn about more about Safety Data Sheets and Pictograms, as well as potential physical and health effects of hazardous chemicals, and what workers can do to make everyday a safe day at work.
Upon completion of this course, the learner will:
- Recognize the information and training required by OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard.
- Recognize the physical and health hazards inherent with hazardous chemicals.
- Identify chemicals and their hazards, through labeling and warning practices.
- Identify the purpose of a Safety Data Sheet, and its components.
- Identify how chemical hazards are determined.
- Recognize the purpose, scope and elements of the hazard communication standard.
HAZARD COMMUNICATION ONLINE COURSE TOPICS:
- Introduction to the Hazard Communication Standard
- How Hazards are Determined
- Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
- Labels and Warnings
- Physical and Health Hazards
- Employee Information and Training
HAZARD COMMUNICATION ONLINE COURSE DURATION: Approximately 60 minutes
HAZARD COMMUNICATION ONLINE TEST: Testing conducted throughout this online Hazard Communication course is designed to reinforce the information presented.
HAZARD COMMUNICATION CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION: Upon completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available for download and printing.
HAZARD COMMUNICATION ONLINE COURSE PREVIEW
Additional Safety Knowledge
Alberta OHS Requirements for Psychological Workplace Safety
Since 2018, Alberta has required employers to address workplace violence, harassment, and psychological hazards as part of their overall occupational health and safety program. Employers must develop policies, procedures, and training addressing bullying, harassment, workplace violence, and threats. Workers have the right to refuse work they reasonably believe would expose them to violence or harassment.
The Business Case for Workplace Wellness
- Untreated workplace stress costs Canadian employers an estimated $16–$50 billion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, and turnover.
- Workplaces with strong psychological health programs report 25–40% lower turnover in high-demand industries.
- The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (CAN/CSA-Z1003) provides a voluntary framework used by leading Canadian employers.
- Mental Health Commission of Canada research shows every $1 invested in workplace mental health returns $1.60–$4.20 in productivity gains.
Supervisor Responsibilities
Alberta OHS Section 6 places specific responsibilities on supervisors: take all reasonable steps to protect workers under their supervision, ensure workers use required PPE, comply with the OHS Act and Code, and cooperate with joint health and safety committees. Supervisors are personally liable for OHS violations occurring under their supervision. Training in supervisory duties, hazard identification, incident investigation, and workplace investigations is essential.
Hazard Communication — Building a Positive Workplace
Practical elements of a healthy workplace culture include clear communication channels, respectful conflict resolution, recognition programs, workload management, psychological safety (workers can raise concerns without fear of reprisal), and inclusive practices. Alberta’s duty-to-accommodate under the Human Rights Act extends to mental health disabilities and requires employers to accommodate to the point of undue hardship.
Content reviewed by Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC — lead safety instructor at Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety Calgary, an Energy Safety Canada Authorized Training Provider.
