In Working At Heights Training Chapter 6, we will give you answers to frequently asked questions related to working at heights.
The experts at Acute Safety & Safety Services can help train your workers so that they don’t become a statistic. Contact us today to learn more about our safety training!
Now, let’s find out the answers to working at heights training FAQs.
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Working At Heights Training: Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Who Is Required by Law to Take Working at Heights Training?
Answer: According to Ontario Regulation 213/91 – Construction Projects, Working At Heights training is mandatory for any construction project workers who use any of the following methods of fall equipment:
- Travel restraint system
- Fall restricting system
- Fall arrest system
- Safety net
- Work belt OR safety belt
Workers on construction projects who use fall protection devices must take a working at heights training program before they use this type of fall prevention equipment.
Ontario workplaces are divided into legislated sectors. Each sector is subsequently governed by specific regulations outlining pertinent training requirements. Ontario Regulation 213/91 – Construction Projects governs construction work, including work completed at heights.
WAH training is mandatory for any construction workers who use certain types of fall equipment
Question: Who Is Responsible for Making Sure that Workers Complete Working at Heights Training?
Answer: Employers must ensure that all workers complete a Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) approved Working at Heights training program before they begin performing their assigned duties. For more information on Working at Heights training requirements, visit the Ontario government’s training webpage.
Your employer is responsible for making sure that you receive proper WAH training
Question: What’s the purpose of the Working at Heights (WAH) course?
Answer: The WAH training program has four main purposes. They include:
- Strengthening Workplace Safety Culture: WAH is designed to elevate the profile and importance of preventing falls from heights happening in the workplace.
- Improving Knowledge and Safety Practices: This training should provide workers who may be exposed to the hazard of falling with adequate knowledge about fall hazards and general safety practices to WAH.
- Training on the Purpose and Use of Equipment: WAH training will provide workers who use personal fall protection equipment with sufficient knowledge about its purpose and use.
- Reducing the Number of Incidents: The training is designed with the purpose of reduce the number of fall-from-heights incidents, injuries, and fatalities.
The ultimate goal of Working at Heights training is to get you home safely after every shift.
The main purpose of WAH training is worker safety
Question: How Long is Working at Heights Training Valid?
Answer: Working At Heights training is valid for three years after the completion date of your course. Once the three years have passed, you need to complete a WAH refresher training course.
Question: How Often Do Heights-Related Injuries (Falls) Happen in the Workplace?
Answer: In Ontario alone, there were 10,067 recorded injuries as a result of workplace falls in 2018, according to a report generated through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (most recent year available).
The positive news is that the number has gone down from 11,928 in 2017. This emphasizes the great importance of making sure your employees have hands-on, effective training. Working at Heights training is working. However, there is still a long way to go to get that number closer to zero.
Here’s a look at how those injuries are broken up by the top 5 sectors:
Statistics Source: WSIB By the Numbers Report Builder
*Note: Falls are not exclusive to construction workers as seen by the above sectors. If any of your workers will be working at heights, it’s important to get them trained – especially if they work in one of the 5 sectors listed above!
Question: What Does the WAH Training Course Include?
Answer: ACUTE’s Working at Heights training provides theoretical and practical training, as well as critical evaluation facilitated by highly skilled and competent instructors. Here’s a look at how the day would break down:
Theory Module – 3hr
- Working at Heights (WAH) and legislation
- WAH hazards
- Safe Work Plans & assessing and controlling WAH hazards
- The hierarchy of controls – application to WAH
- Fall prevention strategies and systems
- Fall protection systems
- Ladder safety
Practical Module – 3.5hr
- 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
Question: How long is the WAH course??
Answer: The WAH course lasts a full day (8hours), so be sure to set aside a full working day to complete it.
Question: Is There Any Specific Type of Clothing that You Are Required to Wear for the Training?
Answer: You should wear comfortable clothing and closed-toed foot wear. Do not wear open-toed footwear such as sandals or flip-flops. If you are taking your WAH with ACUTE, all other equipment needed for the practical aspects of the training will be provided for you.
You should wear comfortable clothing to your training day
Question: Is There an Alternative Training Course for Non-Construction Workers?
Answer: Yes. If you will be working at heights in a sector other than construction, consider the following:
Fall arrest training is a type of fall protection training. This training course is geared towards those working at heights in Industrial Establishments, Mining Operations, Health Care and Residential Facilities sectors, or workplaces other than Construction Projects. This flexible training course can be modified to best suit your specific industry’s needs, and to address workplace-specific equipment. This course includes hands-on training, detailed videos, handouts, quizzes, and classroom interaction with experienced instructors.
This course focuses on the dangers of working at heights from a scaffold or ladder, and how to prevent accidents and incidents. In addition, the Scaffolding and Ladder course teaches participants how to work safely, including how to properly dismantle scaffolding after use. Participants will learn how to properly identify workplace hazards related to scaffolding and ladders, how to identify safe scaffold setups, how to identify different types of ladders, and understand the legislation.
Scaffolding and Ladder training teaches you about the dangers of working at heights from a scaffold or ladder
Question: Does It Make a Difference Where You Take Your Working at Heights Training?
Answer: Yes. A world-class health and safety training facility like ACUTE’s allows you to train in a fully functional construction site and exposes you to simulated hazards. Our facility also features:
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Industry-standard health and safety equipment and technologies
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Simulation areas for a full suite of training programs (i.e. Working At Heights, confined space, and hazardous materials)
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Classroom facilities for lecture and technical training delivery
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Rescue mannequins for confined space rescue and hazardous material controls.
ACUTE’s training facility offers you immersive hazard scenarios and simulations that help your team gain experience alongside real challenges, tools, and context.
The training at ACUTE will better prepare you for real-life situations
Contact ACUTE for Working at Heights Training You Can Trust!
With ACUTE, you will experience the best comprehensive, hands-on Working At Heights training. 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 the 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, and click the button below to sign up!
