As the April 1 deadline requiring Ontario construction workers to have received Working at Heights training from certified training providers, the government threw a lifeline to workers and employers who have not been able to meet the deadline.
In an announcement, the government has extended the deadline, providing that the worker can prove registration in a training program to be completed by Oct. 1, “lengthening the transition period by six months in specific circumstances.”
The MoL statement says:
As you know, the working at heights (WAH) training requirements set out in
O. Reg. 297/13 came into force on April 1, 2015, requiring that employers
must ensure that workers on construction projects successfully complete a
working at heights training program approved by the Chief Prevention Officer
(CPO) and delivered by a CPO-approved training provider before they can work
at heights.
There was a two-year transition period for workers who, prior to April 1,
2015, met the fall protection training requirements set out in subsection
26.2(1) of O. Reg. 213/91. These workers had until April 1, 2017 to complete
an approved working at heights training program.
After receiving requests from worker representatives in the construction
sector, and in dialogue with employers and health and safety organizations,
O,Reg. 297/13 has been amended to extend the time for workers to receive the
training.
The deadline is being extended to October 1, 2017, lengthening the
transition period by six months in specific circumstances.
The worker(s) in question must have completed fall protection training that
met the requirements of section 26.2(1) of O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction
Projects) before April 1, 2015, and the worker must be enrolled in a WAH
training program that will be completed before October 1, 2017. The
employer must have written proof of enrollment, which must be made available
to an inspector upon request.
The proof of enrollment must include the name of the worker, the name of the
approved training provider, the date on which the approved training is
scheduled to be complete, and the name of the approved training program.
Your clients may request you provide them with this proof of enrollment with
these four required items.
The Ministry will continue to enforce all occupational health and safety
training requirements, including those for working at heights.
The Ministry would like to thank the more than 160 Chief Prevention Office
approved working at heights training providers who offer this crucial
training. Together, we are continuing to make Ontario one of the safest
places to work in the world.