Working At Heights – Be Aware Of Ticket Expiry

The law requires employers to provide Working At Heights training by an approved provider for their employees. Did you know that Working At Heights training records only last for three years? After the three year mark, workers must take a refresher course in order renew their Working At Heights validity. It is important to stay up to date with your Working At Heights training credentials or face possible legal ramifications. Contact ACUTE now to find out more information about our Working At Heights course.

Who Needs Working At Heights Training?

Are you unsure if you or your employees require working at heights training? Ontario workplaces are divided into legislated sectors. Each sector is governed by sector-specific regulations that outline training requirements. Ontario Regulation 213/91 – Construction Projects governs construction work, including working at heights. Working At Heights training is mandatory for any construction project workers who use any of the following methods of fall equipment:

• A travel restraint system ✓
• A fall restricting system ✓
• A fall arrest system ✓
• A safety net ✓
• A work belt ✓
• A safety belt ✓

To learn more about who requires working at heights training, click here.

Working At Heights Ticket Expiry: The Consequences

As of April 1, 2017, all workers must be trained on the new Working At Heights standard. Currently, a two-year transition period has been implemented for workers who completed the fall protection training requirements set out in subsection 26.2(1) of Ontario Regulation 213/91 – Construction Projects prior to April 1, 2015.

After three years, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) requires workers to complete a CPO-approved half-day Working At Heights refresher training course under the O. Reg. 297/13: Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training. The refresher course length varies in time depending on the specific needs of the individual or group.

According to the MLITSD, under O. Reg. 296/13, employers are also required to make all training records available to an inspector upon request. If an inspector discovers an expired or non-existent Working At Heights ticket, they can take immediate action against the employer.

An inspector may issue a compliance order that must be fulfilled within a certain time period. If there is imminent hazard or danger, the inspector can issue an immediate stop work order.

If an employer fails to comply with given orders, they can be prosecuted under the Provincial Offences Act.

In November 2016, CBC News reported that roofer Joseph Isnor was jailed after failing to keep employees working at heights safe.

“

[Isnor] was undeterred by lesser punishments he received for repeated safety violations prior to his sentence in May. Fines were not paid on time and safety presentations Isnor was ordered to complete were left undone.”

• Cassie Williams, CBC News

Working at heights safety is taken more seriously now than ever before. The recent case of Joseph Isnor shows that non-compliance and failure to keep employees working at heights safe will not be taken lightly. There is also a heightened focus on safety in the construction sector.

From 2017-2018, there will be many “inspection blitzes” to help ensure workers are safe on the job. During an inspection blitz, the inspector will focus on certain things such as compliance with OHSA and its regulations, workplace specific hazards such as fall hazards, record of injuries, and more (source). Remember, inspectors do not need to give warning before they visit a work site. It is important to always be prepared and ensure workers are always practicing safe methods in the workplace.

Working At Heights Training: Why It’s Important

Avoiding legal consequences is an important reason to stay up to date with Working At Heights training. However, there are other reasons  Working At Heights training is valid and necessary. The most important reason is that Working At Heights training keeps workers safe.

Educating and protecting workers from all hazards, big and small, should be the top priority for all employers. Did you know that in 2015 alone, Ontario workplaces spent $52M on work-related compensation and other losses due to on-the-job falls? ACUTE is working towards Zero Incidents in the workplace. Providing Working At Heights training for workers is one way to achieve our zero incidents goal.

Did you know that falls are the number one cause of critical injuries and deaths of construction workers in Ontario? (Source – Ontario.ca). According to the Ontario Construction sector plan 2017-2018, workers may be at increased risk of falling due to the following hazards:

• Missing protective devices such as guardrails
• Poorly maintained protective devices
• Poor lighting, slippery surfaces, and other poor housekeeping practices
• Lack of personal protective equipment or misuse of personal protective equipment
• Improper training and other poor work practices such as rushing to meet deadlines, taking shortcuts, etc.

Ensuring workers are adequately trained according to MLITSD and OHSA standards is important for all workers, both new and experienced. Experienced workers can fall into patterns and complacency may set in. New workers are more likely to get injured on the job due to inexperience. Providing training and refresher training at the proper time can prevent accidents and save lives.

ACUTE’s Working At Heights CPO-Approved Training

ACUTE’s Working At Heights training program has been approved by the Chief Prevention Officer under the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s Working At Heights Training Program Standard and the Working At Heights Training Provider Standard. With ACUTE, you will receive:

• Open Door Instructor-Student Partnership – ACUTE’s training services emphasize client participation. Staff foster relationships with clients and serve as a touchstone for advice anytime moving forward.
• Serving Your Team and Industry – With a vast array of clients in manufacturing, construction, health, academic, and government sectors, ACUTE brings the best safety practices from across the spectrum to your workplace.
• 100 Years Combined Experience – ACUTE provides comprehensive health and safety training, on-site safety services, and consulting services. With over 100 years of combined experience, our company staff offer more than theoretical or abstract ideas.  ACUTE offers solutions.
• Track Record of Success – ACUTE is rated 4.9/5 stars on Google reviews, demonstrating a commitment to our clients, quality, and passion for training.

Be aware of your Working At Heights ticket expiry. Don’t let your Working At Heights ticket expire – contact ACUTE today to receive high-quality training in your workplace or on-site at ACUTE’s world class training facilities.