Each province has its own workplace health and safety requirements. Here is a breakdown of some of the top things that you should know about health and safety training in Ontario. Click on each section to learn more.

1. Health and Safety Training for Construction Sites
2. Health and Safety Training for Confined Spaces
3. General Health and Safety Training in Ontario
4. How ACUTE Goes Beyond Compliance in Health and Safety Training in Ontario

If you require CPO approved health and safety training in Ontario, contact us.

Health and Safety Training in Ontario

1. Health and Safety Training for Construction Sites

Make sure you get the proper health and safety training in Ontario that you need

According to the OHSA, “An employer shall ensure that a worker who may use a fall protection system is adequately trained in its use and given adequate oral and written instructions by a competent person.”

This means that any worker who uses or wears fall protection on the job needs to receive proper working at heights training from a training facility that is approved by the Ontario Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) as an Approved Training Provider.

Elevating Work Platforms

Health and safety training in Ontario is required if you use an elevating work platform

Many workers use EWPs (Elevating Work Platforms) on their worksite to access project work at heights. The Ontario Government requires that “An elevating work platform shall not be moved unless all workers on it are protected from ejection by being attached to an adequate anchorage point on the elevating work platform by a method of fall protection”

Because of this, all operators AND passengers on elevating work platforms used on project sites must have Working at Heights training.

Elevating work platform training must include the following:

• Going over the manufacturer’s instructions
• Understanding the load limitations
• Instruction in and a hands-on demonstration of the proper use of all controls
• Instruction about the limitations on the kinds of surfaces on which the device is designed to be used

Your training should also include instruction on specific workplace hazards and you should be evaluated on your ability to safely operate the device.

Working at Heights Training

If you work at heights on a construction site, you will need WAH training

If you are required to use the following on your construction site, then you need to take working at heights training:

• Travel restraint system
• Fall restricting system
• Fall arrest system
• Safety net
• Work belt or safety belt

The Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training Regulation (O. Reg. 297/13) requires that employers ensure that workers on construction projects successfully complete this training. The program that you take must be approved by the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) and must be delivered by a training provider approved by the CPO (sections 6 and 7 of O. Reg. 297/13).

A Working At Heights refresher course must be taken every 3 years in order to remain MLITSD compliant. In addition, employers need keep a record of the working at heights training and make it available to an inspector on request (section 10 of O. Reg. 297/13).

2. Health and Safety Training for Confined Spaces

Health and safety training in Ontario includes working in confined spaces

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, every worker that enters a confined space must be fully trained on the following:

• How to recognize and identify potential hazards associated with the confined spaces that they enter
• Evaluation and control procedures for the identified or potential hazards
• How to set-up and use all equipment such as emergency equipment, ventilation equipment (blowers), hazardous energy control, isolation and lockout equipment, air quality monitors (e.g., oxygen/combustible meters) and other control equipment that will be used while in the confined space
• Be able to understand the limitations of the above listed equipment
• How to set-up and use all personal protective equipment (e.g., full-body harness, respirators) that the worker will be using while in the confined space and to know their limitations
• How to set up and operate the communication systems and retrieval systems
• Know safe work procedures for entering the confined space as outlined in the employer’s confined space hazard assessment program
• Be able to follow proper procedures in the event of a situation developing that could present additional risk to the worker or an emergency
• Be trained in first aid and CPR
• Be trained in the specific work to be done while in the confined space
• Be able to work in a manner that will not endanger lives

Your confined space training should include both hands-on and in-class components. If you are a worker with emergency rescue responsibilities, you will need additional specialized training.

In Ontario, you need to have an adequate number of people trained in the following to be immediately available to begin and on-site rescue:

• Use of rescue equipment required by the confined space plan
• First aid and CPR
• On-site rescue procedures

Other provinces will specify the exact number of people required.

3. General Health and Safety Training in Ontario

Joint Health and Safety Committees

Many workplaces in Ontario need a Joint Health and Safety Committee

According to Section 9 of the OHSA, most workplaces need to have a Joint Health and Safety Committee of at least two persons who will represent the workers and the employer at their workplace. Anyone who is a member of a Joint Health and Safety Committee needs to take the proper training as outlined by the OHSA, done by a trainer that has been approved by the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO).

5-20 employees:

If you have more than 5 but less than 20 employees at your workplace, then you usually are not required to have a Joint Health and Safety Committee. Your workers will instead select someone to be a health and safety representative for them.

More than 20 employees:

If you have more than 20 employees at your workplace, then you are required by the OHSA to have at least one worker and one management person serve as certified members of your workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee.

Other Workplaces:

The following are other situations where a Joint Health and Safety Committee is required according to Section 9 of the OHSA:

• A construction project that has 20 workers or more that is expected to last 3 months or longer
• A workplace, other than a construction project, where a designated substance regulation applies
• A workplace that deals with toxic substances and has an order issued under OHSA Section 33
• A workplace that has been ordered by the Minister of Labour to establish one

The primary role of a Joint Health and Safety Committee is to identify workplace health and safety problems and bring them to the attention of your employer. The standards for this training are set out by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development will also certify JHSC members who successfully complete an approved JHSC training program.

How ACUTE Goes Beyond Compliance in Health and Safety Training in Ontario

Even though meeting health and safety standards training requirements is important, your true objective should be to make sure that your workers are protected and equipped to navigate workplace hazards in the safest way possible.

That’s why ACUTE not only meets government requirements but strives to exceed those requirements by providing quality, hands-on, and industry-tailored training to each of our clients.

ACUTE has a cutting-edge training facility and we go beyond government compliance in Ontario health and safety training.