To protect the safety of employees and meet government regulations, employers must provide (either deliver or pay for) training in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and training awareness. Click here to see upcoming ACUTE courses that meet Ontario health and safety training standards for training, certified program content, approved training provider, and record keeping. Employers must not only meet regulatory requirements but also ensure employees get the best and most hands-on training. The content provided here offers a summary of the Occupation Health and Safety Act. This is not intended as a substitute, and readers are encouraged to review the full legislation.
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 has 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.
Summary of Key Regulatory Requirements for Employers
There are numerous requirements for each level of health and safety training under the categories of basic awareness training (employer), basic awareness training (supervisor), JH&SC certification training, working at heights training, and workplace harassment and violence. The table below shows the working at heights training that your organization will require for employees to work on construction projects. This is not intended as a substitute to the OHSA, and readers are encouraged to review the full legislation.
The Quickest and Most Effective Way to Get Trained
The most efficient way to get trained and to meet these regulatory requirements is to engage an approved Cheif Prevention Officer provider meeting curriculum and eligibility standards. This ensures that the government will recognize the training experience of your team when your organization receives an inquiry. Despite meeting regulation, however, your staff may still be at risk without experienced trainers to help them stay one step ahead of workplace hazards. Though online safety training has its merits it has been shown that hands-on is always better. For more on online vs. hands-on training, see here.
Challenges for Organizations with Providing Training
An organization may elect to provide training through a certified employee or engage an approved provider. Unless your organization is looking to make a long-term investment in a health and safety training team it is recommended that organizations look to the experience and care of a training partner. Here are a number of challenges that your organization may run into when providing training in-house for their own employees:
- Need to invest time and dedicated resources in developing MLITSD compliant content
- Team member must work through training certification
- Administrative costs for maintaining employee training records
- An organization’s facilities may need to be modified or equipment purchased in order to provide hands-on training
- Organizations often do not have the depth of experience offered by seasoned trainers
For organizations ready to work with a certified training provider, see here for an article on how to choose a training provider.
Summary of Basic Awareness Training for Supervisors and Employees
At a minimum, all organizations must consider Basic Awareness Training. Employers are required to manage a record of completion and provide a record of completion on request to an employee after they have completed training or 6 months after they no longer perform work. ACUTE provides the best basic awareness training having the combined experience and perspectives of both supervisors and employees to help train on the most pertinent topics for your industry.
Required for: All employees, as soon as possible, before starting work.
Exceptions: Training is not required if an employee can prove previous training was completed, and the employer verifies that training meets MLITSD standards.
ACUTE MLITSD Compliant Course: Worker Basic Occupational Health and Safety Awareness
Time to complete: 3 hours
Required for: All supervisors, within one week of performing supervision duties.
Exceptions: Training is not required if a supervisor can prove previous training was completed, and the employer verifies that training meets MLITSD standards.
ACUTE MLITSD Compliant Course: Supervisor Basic Occupational Health and Safety Awareness
Time to complete: 4 hours
Summary of JH&SC Certification Training Requirements
In a previous article, we detailed further requirements of the JH&SC training requirements. An employer must have a JH&SC for a workplace that has 20 or more employees, and ensure that they receive certification training. We are currently in the process of being approved by the Ontario Chief Prevention Officer and plan on offering JH&SC training soon. The ACUTE team has a 100 years of experience serving as health and safety consultants leading to the most informed and robust JH&SC training, helping with certification but also program effectiveness.
Required for: One worker and one management employee on a JH&SC must each receive two levels of certification training.
Summary of Working at Heights Training Requirements
Working at heights poses a significant risk for employees. The MLITSD provides requirements to be met by employers as part of staffing for tasks or projects that put employees at risk. ACUTE has ample experience working with industrial and project-site based clients, thereby offering training that best addresses the most significant hazards, risks, and equipment required to ensure safety while working at heights.
Required for: Employees are to be trained before conducting work on a construction site.
Training Validity: Training is valid for 3 years and training must be repeated to ensure compliance.
Exceptions: If an employee has already received working at heights training before April 1, 2015, that meets Ontario Regulation 213/91 (Construction projects), they may be exempt from requiring training until April 1, 2017.
ACUTE CPO Approved Course: Working at Heights
Time to complete: 1 day (8 hours)
Hazardous Materials Training Guidelines
The OH&S Act has a section focused on addressing hazardous materials and, as much as possible, organizations should avoid using such materials, and in the cases that they must, they are to provide training, written instruction, and information to help employees. ACUTE understands the nuances of each hazardous material while providing the best training and practices to manage and contain material leaks or exposures.
Required for: Employees who will be conducting work exposing them or likely exposing them to hazardous materials.
Training Validity: Training and materials to be reviewed annually or more frequently if determined by JH&SC.
ACUTE is pleased to offer the following courses that can help employers meet the guidelines provided by the MLITSD on working with hazardous materials.
ACUTE CPO Approved Course: 40-Hour HAZWOPER Course
Time to complete: 4 days (40 hours)
ACUTE CPO Approved Course: 8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher Course
Time to complete: 1 day (8 hours)
ACUTE CPO Approved Course: Spill Response Training
Time to complete: 1/2 day (4 hours) or 1 day (8 hours)
ACUTE CPO Approved Course: WHIMIS 1899-2015 Training
Time to complete: 1/2 day (4 hours)
ACUTE CPO Approved Course: Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Time to complete: 1 day (8 hours)
Training Guidelines on Workplace Harassment
Safety entails not only physical dangers but also psychological and emotional hazards that an organization may be facing. The MLITSD offers a number of guidelines to helping ensure your team is protected against workplace violence and harassment. ACUTE offers an integrated approach to workplace violence by including comprehensive safety planning while looking at domestic violence and it’s links to workplace safety.
Required for: All employees in an organization that regularly employs more than 6 people or as requested by an inspector.
ACUTE CPO Approved Course: Workplace Violence and Harassment
Time to complete: 1/2 day (4 hours)
Going Beyond Compliance with ACUTE’s Ontario Health and Safety Training
Meeting regulatory requirements offers significant accountability for employers, yet the true objective is to ensure workers are effectively protected and equipped to manage workplace hazards. ACUTE not only meets government requirements but strives to provide quality, hands-on, and industry-tailored training to each of their clients. ACUTE has a cutting-edge training facility that has hosted the Ontario Ministry of Defense and Labour. Here are some of the ways that ACUTE goes beyond government compliance in Ontario health and safety training.
- Open Door Instructor-Student Partnersh
ip: 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!
ACUTE is located in Waterloo, Ontario, and services customers from cities such as Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Milton, Kitchener, London, Guelph, and other cities from across Ontario.
