Employers must meet a number of health and safety training requirements of the provincial government of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Click here to see upcoming ACUTE training and how our trainers and courses help you meet the Ontario standards for safety, workplace harassment, hazardous materials, and regulatory auditing. Employers must not only meet regulatory requirements but also ensure employees get the best and most hands-on training to be effective and safe. The content provided here offers a summary of the Occupation Health and Safety (OH&S) Act. This is not intended as a substitute, and readers are encouraged to review the full legislation.
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, and regulatory auditing.
General Training Guidelines
An employer is required to ensure employees receive the right training prior to conducting the related tasks. A previous article from our blog provides further details on what requirements employers should be aware of in complying with health and safety regulations.
MLITSD OHSA Requirements:
-3.0.0.25.2.a – “An employer shall provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker;”
Here is a list of some fundamental training for employers to consider, all of which help provide practical foundations to supervisors and staff.
Course: Worker Basic Occupational Health and Safety Awareness
Time to complete: 3 hours
Course: Supervisor Basic Occupational Health and Safety Awareness
Time to complete: 4 hours
Employers may also choose to consider the following courses if employees are conducting work related to Working at Heights. For a full listing of our courses, click here.
Guidelines for Health and Safety Committees
In a previous article, we detailed further requirements of the JH&SC training requirements which we recommended for review. An employer must have a JH&SC for a workplace that has 20 or more employees, and ensure that any assigned delegates receive certification training. For an additional summary on when a JH&SC is required and what training is mandated, click here.
MLITSD OHSA Requirements:
-2.0.4.8.5.1: “A constructor or employer shall ensure that a health and safety representative is selected and receives training to enable the individual to effectively perform in the role.”
-2.0.9.3.2.b: “If a delegate is named for a health and safety committee member , the delegate must also be provided training to adequately perform the duties assigned (paraphrased).”
ACUTE is pleased to offer the following courses that help employers meet the MLITSD guidelines.
Course: Part 1 Certification Basic Training for Joint Health and Safety Committee Members
Time to complete: 3 days (24 hours)
Course: Part 2 Certification Basic Training for Joint Health and Safety Committee Members
Time to complete: 2 days (16 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.
Training Required for: Employees who will be conducting work on a construction site.
MLITSD OHSA Requirements:
-4.0.0.37.3: “Hazardous materials are not to be used unless there is training provided.”
-4.0.0.6.c: “An employer who makes a material safety data sheet readily accessible on a computer terminal at a workplace, shall teach all workers who work with or in proximity to hazardous materials, the health and safety representative, if any, at the workplace and the members of the committee how to retrieve the material safety data sheet on the computer terminal. R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, s. 38 (6).”
-4.0.0.42.1.c: “In addition to providing information and instruction to a worker as required by clause 25 (2) (a), an employer shall ensure that a worker exposed or likely to be exposed to a hazardous material or to a hazardous physical agent receives, and that the worker participates in, such instruction and training as may be prescribed.”
Here is what a recent customer had to say about their experience engaging ACUTE as their training provider:
“Very professional approach to consulting. I am not surprised about the success Acute Environmental & Safety Services has achieved over the last 15 years that I have worked with them. Acute delivers with great customer service (creative solutions, flexible accommodation, professional conduct). Acute is recognized and respected as a people organization and they have been doing it right for a long time.” – Konstantinos
See here for more reviews.
-4.0.0.42.2: “The instruction and training to be given under subsection (1) shall be developed and implemented by the employer in consultation with the committee or health and safety representative, if any, for the workplace.”
-4.0.0.42.3: “An employer shall review, in consultation with the committee or health and safety representative, if any, for the workplace, the training and instruction provided to a worker and the worker’s familiarity therewith at least annually.”
ACUTE is pleased to offer the following courses that can help employers meet the guidelines provided by the MLITSD on working with hazardous materials.
Course: 40-Hour HAZWOPER Course
Time to complete: 4 days (40 hours)
Course: 8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher Course
Time to complete: 1 day (8 hours)
Course: Spill Response Training
Time to complete: 1/2 day (4 hours) or 1 day (8 hours)
Course: WHIMIS 1899-2015 Training
Time to complete: 1/2 day (4 hours)
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.
MLITSD OHSA Requirements:
-3.0.1.2: “An employer shall provide a worker with, a) information and instruction that is appropriate for the worker on the contents of the policy and program with respect to workplace violence;”
-3.0.1.2.32.0.8: “An employer shall provide a worker with “(a) information and instruction that is appropriate for the worker on the contents of the policy and program with respect to workplace harassment;”
ACUTE offers the following course to address the concerns and requirements of the OHSA.
Course: Workplace Violence and Harassment
Time to complete: 1/2 day (4 hours)
Guidelines on Due Diligence
The MLITSD will audit and enforce the stipulations within the OH&S Act. The best way of ensuring your organization is not penalized or sanctioned will be to develop a culture of due diligence and accountability.
MLITSD OHSA Rights:
-2.0.4.7.5.1: “The Chief Prevention Officer may collect information about a worker’s successful completion of an approved training program for the purpose of maintaining a record of workers who have successfully completed approved training programs.”
-8.0.54.1.p: An inspector may, for the purposes of carrying out his or her duties and powers under this Act and the regulations,”require the production of any materials concerning the content, frequency and manner of instruction of any training program and inspect, examine, and copy the materials and attend any such program. …”
ACUTE offers the following course to help promote a culture of due diligence and accountability for the safety and well-being of staff. Courses taken by your staff are tracked and recorded free of charge, further assisting organizations to demonstrate due diligence with regulatory inspectors.
Course: Due Diligence for Employers and Managers
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 navigate 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 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 Environmental & Safety Services is located in Waterloo, Ontario, and services customers from cities such as Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Milton, Kitchener, London, and Guelph as well as a large list of other cities from across Ontario.
Sources:
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90o01?_ga=1.220707416.1314123899.1460396938#BK40
