Most companies are not aware of industry certifications required in addition to the MLITSD ones stipulated. ACUTE educates industry professionals on the requirements which can help increase workplace safety while also improving environmental stewardship. Join ACUTE and over a hundred companies working towards zero incidents in Ontario.
ACUTE is an OWWCO and CPO certified Working at Heights training provider in the waste management and drinking water industry. Here is what a recent customer had to say about their experience engaging ACUTE as their training provider:
“For over 20 years, Ron Campbell and the professional team at ACUTE have helped us develop a continuously improving safety program customized to our unique needs in environmental testing and renewable energy services. We are proud of our safety culture and record supported by ACUTE training services.” – Hank
See here for more reviews.
The Levels of Working at Heights Training Certifications in Ontario
Certifications are important to ensure the right content and quality is being provided to working professionals to support environmental and personal safety. Certifications offered in Ontario serve different purposes and some industries have more stringent certifications because of their impact on the environment. Here is a brief explanation of the different certifications and when they’re required.
Regulatory Certification
The MLITSD certifies trainers and their courses to ensure a consistent level of health and safety education is being provided. Taking courses that aren’t certified may lead to employees having incomplete training, meaning greater risks of injury. For example, Working at Heights trainers must be approved in order for workers to be recognized as receiving adequate training. This means that working at heights trainers must meet all of the MLITSD requirements before offering training.
Industry Certification including CEUs
Some industries require additional training certification requirements because of their hazardous or high environmental impact. In the wastewater and drinking water industries, courses can be certified by the OWWCO as continuing education credits (CEU, 1 CEU is equivalent to 10 hours of training). For wastewater management, training courses can be also certified as CEUs, helping to meet worker training requirements that employers need to provide.
Getting industry training means an improved water industry to help combat climate change. This video on the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change explains the different facets of life that become endangered if climate change is not addressed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHXaR7rXW74
How are OWWCO and MOECC Related
The MOECC manages the training program and training standard for wastewater and drinking water systems operators, whereas the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office (OWWCO) provides administrative and evaluation services to assist the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MECCO) with:
- The classification of drinking-water subsystems, and certification and re-certification of drinking water operators and water quality analysts under the Certification of Drinking Water Operators and Water Quality Analysts Regulation of the Safe Drinking Water Act (O. Reg. 128/04),
- The classification of wastewater facilities, and the licensing and re-licensing of wastewater operators under the Licensing of Sewage Works Operators Regulation of the Ontario Water Resources Act (O. Reg. 129/04); and,
- The approval of training courses to meet annual training requirements under O. Reg. 128/04.
Source: What We Do – OWWCO
Why are Licenses Important to Drinking Water and Waste Management Operators
Licenses allow an operator to work in a system management and operations context. Without it individuals are prohibited form working in the Ontario industries because it introduces a host of safety issues for the practitioner and team members along with the jarring inevitability of water quality risks that can affect entire communities and cities. To this end the OWWCO and MECCO work together to ensure safe and sustainable water and waste management.
Employers Must Provide Training to Drinking Water Operators for Licensing Renewal
Professionals in the drinking water operations industry must take 21 to 42 CEUs to be certified as an operator every three years. Without the Drinking Water License, operators are prohibited from working due to safety and water quality risks that may ensue. This amounts to 210 to 420 hours of training every three years once they have achieved their license to practice. Some of these hours towards recertification will require knowledge of working at heights as components of drinking water can be located at elevated locations.
Source: Drinking Water Operator Licence Renewal
Employer’s Wastewater Operator Training Responsibilities
Owners must provide their employees with 40 hours of training every year for their employees and keep records to document the training received. This helps ensure safety and adequate knowledge to perform their duties, helping to reduce the number of workplace incidents.
In order to receive license renewal wastewater operators must have valid operational or related experience in the last 5 years.
Source: Wastewater Operator Licence Renewal
Get Working at Heights Training at Our Industry Leading Facility
Working at Heights Kitchener-Waterloo
For those in Ontario and the Kitchener-Waterloo area, taking working at heights training online would be a mistake as professionals then miss out on the best hands-on training available along with a world class working at heights training facility. ACUTE’s industry leading facility features a fully functional construction site, immersing participants in simulated hazards while having an experienced industry professional trainer teach the class. The facility also features:
- Lifelike mannequins – To simulate even the most advanced and complex safety procedures for working at heights and rescue.
- Functional construction simulators and equipment – Offering participants an “as real as it gets” training experience.
- Industry trainers who have done the work – Meaning professionals and novices will acquire a wealth of knowledge and experience from an industry veteran.
ACUTE’s Working at Heights (WAH) CPO Approved Training
ACUTE can provide training on-site at our best-in-class facility, or ACUTE trainers can come to your workplace for a variety of flexible options that continue to help clients meet their most pressing health and safety challenges. Take all of ACUTE’s Working at Heights courses in 2 days or 15 hours of training.
ACUTE’s Working at Heights (WAH) Course is OWWCO Approved
OWWCO has recognized ACUTE for its’ industry training not only by awarding the trainers with certification but approving an extensive list of courses that are pertinent to the water and waste management industry’s continued striving towards excellence and professionals’ safety. Further ACUTE’s course content has been approved for content covering 6 domains from treatment and distribution to management of systems along with our qualified training approach.
The take away is this, ACUTE’s trainers have first-hand experience in the drinking water and waste management industry so your team gets the best hands on training period. Combined with over a 100 years of experience across team members, the working at heights training customers have received is incredibly rich and tailored to your industry and team context. This rolls up to fewer surprises and fewer incidents, helping Ontario’s waste management and water industries to be incident free.
Working at Heights Ontario Training (Required by MLITSD)
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. The ACUTE Working at Heights training provides both theoretical and hands-on practical training and evaluation facilitated by highly skilled and competent instructors.
Objective: The purpose of a working at heights training program is to:
- Strengthen workplace safety culture – Elevate the profile and importance of preventing falls from heights.
- Provide knowledge and safety practices – Provide workers who may be exposed to fall hazards with adequate knowledge and general safety practices to work safely at heights.
- Purpose and use of equipment – Provide workers who use personal fall protection equipment with sufficient knowledge about its purpose and use.
- Incident reduction – Reduce the number of fall-from-heights incidents, injuries, and fatalities.
Duration: 1 day (8 hours)
See here for full course details.
Working at Heights and Rescue (Advanced Competency)
Prerequisites: Working at Heights
This program adds a second, practical, rescue-oriented day to the Working at Heights training program described on the Working at Heights page to lead participants in developing, implementing, and practicing several types of rescue plans. To learn more about the benefits of our training approach for this program, click here.
Duration: 1 day (8 hours)
Duration: 1 day (8 hours)
See here for more details on the Working at Heights and Rescue course.
Taking Customer Service and Training Effectiveness to new Heights
OWWCO and the Ontario Cheif Prevention Officer have both recognized ACUTE has a qualified trainer as well as approving the working at heights course with certification. ACUTE not only meets government requirements but strives to provide quality, hands-on, and industry-tailored training to each of their clients. ACUTE offers access to Ontario’s cutting-edge training facility, which has hosted numerous provincial agencies. Here are some of the ways that ACUTE goes beyond government compliance in Ontario health and safety training.
- Safety Training Courses CEU Approved: ACUTE has dozens of courses that are OWWCO approved so that waste water and drinking water professionals can stay at the top of their profession.
- Open Door Instructor-Student Partnership:
ACUTE’s training services emphasize client participation. Staff foster relationships with clients and serve as a touchstone for advice 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 staff offers 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 a passion for training.
Contact us today for quality training in your workplace or on-site at ACUTE’s proven training facilities!
