New safety training standard for working at heights

Are you:

• An employer of workers who work on a construction project?
• A worker who works on a construction project?
• Do you or your workers use any of the following fall protection methods: Travel restraint system; fall restricting system; fall arrest system; safety net; work belt; or safety belt?

There are new regulatory requirements for working at heights training in construction.

Please visit the Ministry of Labour’s Working at Heights Training webpage for more information.

To improve the quality and consistency of training on construction projects, the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) has established the Working at Heights Training Program and Provider Standards. 

As of April 1, 2015, new regulatory requirements in O. Reg. 297/13 (Occupational Health and Safety Training and Awareness) will require that employers ensure workers who use specified fall protection equipment on construction projects successfully complete a CPO approved working at heights training program delivered by a CPO approved training provider. Companies that complete a comprehensive training program prior to April 1st, will have until April 2017 to comply with the new Standard.

Workers already trained under the current fall protection training requirements set out in section 26.2 of O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) before April 1, 2015 have an additional two years to get trained under the new requirements.

Are you:

·         Someone who is interested in becoming an approved training provider to deliver an approved working at heights training program?

The Ministry of Labour will start accepting applications from training providers on January 5, 2015.  Training standards, application forms and other resources for training providers are available on the ministry website. 

The MOL states this will help employees recognize risks, hazards and take necessary precaution to be safe.

If your employees are currently using the following systems, they will be required to meet the  new standard:

•  Travel restraint system
• Fall arrest system
• Safety nets
• Fall restricting system

The new standard will be rolled out in two modules

• Module one: Working at Heights Theory (3 hours)
• Module two: Working at Heights Practical Equipment (3.5 hours)
• Upon successful completion of the module, training is valid for 3 years

If you are looking for a training course, the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) is a good resource. They can provide on-site training upon request. If members have an active WSIB account and are categorized under construction rate, IHSA will provide training for a reduced rate of $100.00/per employee. If  you do not have a WSIB account or is an individual looking to upgrade their skill, the cost will be $320.00/per employee.

The IHSA can be contacted at 1-800-263-5024.