In Working At Heights Training Chapter 3, we discuss when to take a refresher.
Refreshers focus on practical applications and should be delivered face-to-face. If it’s time for you to renew your certification, contact Acute Safety & Safety Services today!
Now, let’s dig in and take a look at when you need to take a refresher and where you can get it!
Previous chapters:
Working At Heights Training Chapter 3
When to take a refresher
A Working At Heights Refresher must be taken 3 years following the initial Working at Heights training program. This is in order to remain compliant with regulations given by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
A refresher is subsequently required every three years as long as the participant wants to remain certified. In order to take the course, you must present the following forms of proof of previous training:
Upon completion of the refresher, your certification will be valid for another three years
Why you need a working at heights training refresher
The Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training Regulation states employers are to ensure workers on construction projects successfully complete a Working At Heights training program before using specified methods of fall protection on the job.
From that point, a refresher is legally mandated every three years in order to remain compliant with provincial law.
This standard was set in 2018, following an uptick in workplace injuries. Read our article on “Health and Safety Statistics Working At Heights Ontario” to be reminded of the importance of your training.
A Working at Heights training refresher is required every three years if you want to remain certified
What you will learn at the working at heights training refresher
Refreshers reinforce key principles from the initial training. The trainers will also keep you up to date on any legislative, regulatory or equipment changes that impact working at heights in construction, according to the Government of Ontario,
Refreshers consist solely of the practical module of the initial full-day course. The practical component generally covers:
- Barriers and safety nets
- Personal fall protection equipment
- Anchor points
- Work positioning systems, work access and platforms
- Rescue planning
You will, therefore, need to wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe footwear. The course will also include a hands-on demonstration of equipment and procedures plus a written test.
Come to the refresher course prepared to be an active participant
What you get from ACUTE’s course
ACUTE’s industry-leading WAH Refresher goes above and beyond the basic components.
Here’s what you can expect from us:
- Fall prevention/protection system requirements and limitations
- A-B-C component selection, inspection, use
- Harness inspection and fitting exercise & evaluation
- Lanyard inspection exercise and evaluation
- Travel restraint, fall arrest set-up exercise & evaluation
- 100% tie-off exercise and evaluation
- Ladders, scaffolds, and elevating work platforms
- Rescue plan – components and purpose
- Safe work strategies and safe anchor exercise
We also offer a health and safety training centre unlike any other at our headquarters in Waterloo. It is engineered to deliver world-class training with real tools and real hazard scenarios.
The training facility offers immersive hazard scenarios and simulations that help your team gain experience alongside real challenges, tools, and context. We also have a spacious break room with drinks and snacks!
Watch this video to learn more about ACUTE’s approach to working at heights training
Need a Refresher? Trust ACUTE!
ACUTE is dedicated to workplace safety and understands the importance of course and training provider approval. ACUTE’s Working At Heights training and refresher 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.
Other courses such as Joint Health and Safety Committees, WHMIS 2015 (GHS), and Worker Health & Safety Awareness help workers learn important legislation and health and safety techniques to keep themselves and others safe.
“I was dreading the idea of having to spend 8 hours doing the mandated Working at Heights training. I began the training with the expectation that it would be dry and common sense. What I experienced was just the opposite. The training was extremely interesting and much more informative than I expected. Mike is a gifted presenter whose passion for this work and expertise in his field is obvious. If you need safety training of any kind, be sure to use ACUTE. We will most certainly be repeat clients for our business safety training needs.”
– Brian Vermunt
ACUTE is located in Waterloo, Ontario, and services customers from cities such as Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Milton, Kitchener, London, Guelph, and others across Ontario.
Nothing is worth the risk. Ensure your safety today.
For all OABA members, please contact the ACUTE office prior to registration
