Certification Part I - Virtual
WHSC developed this virtual program to help workplaces meet their legal responsibility to provide the first phase of Certification training to members of joint health and safety committees in Ontario. This program, critical to securing safer, healthier work, is applicable to workplaces in all sectors. Delivered over a three-day period, this program gives participants a complete understanding of occupational health and safety legislation, including rights and responsibilities of workplace parties and certified representatives on joint health and safety committees in particular. This will include a full discussion about the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) and the purpose and requirements of workplace health and safety policies and programs. Equally important, participants learn how to identify, assess and control, or better yet eliminate, workplace hazards. Like the traditional classroom version, this virtual program applies adult learning principles to ensure learning is achieved. For further details, see our product sheet library.
Certification Part II - General - Virtual
This program offers a convenient option for Ontario workplaces who want to quickly comply with the second phase of Certification training for members of joint health and safety committees (JHSC). Part II training must address at least six hazards relevant to the JHSC’s workplace. Delivered over two days and now virtually, the general stream for WHSC Certification Part II training explores six of the most common workplace hazards through the following modules: Safety Hazards; Physical Hazards, Chemical Hazards, Ergonomics and MSDs; COVID-19 (during the present crisis); and Psychosocial Hazards and Workplace Mental Health. For each hazard, participants will learn how to identify, assess and control, or better yet eliminate, exposures.
Certification Refresher - Virtual
Certified members of joint health and safety committees (JHSC) in Ontario must complete a Certification Refresher program approved by the Ministry of Labour’s Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) within three years of completing Certification Part II and every three years thereafter. Like WHSC Certification Refresher training delivered in traditional classrooms, this virtual version is also CPO-approved. This program revisits key concepts from Certification training, including the information and tools essential for identifying, assessing and controlling, or better yet eliminating, workplace hazards. The program further affords participants the opportunity to share and discuss new or amended legislation/guidelines/standards, current or emerging issues, plus best practices for hazard elimination and control. This program is applicable to all Ontario workplaces.
Federal Committees and Representatives - Virtual
This program reviews participants' rights and powers under federal health and safety laws and regulations with special focus on the role of workplace and policy committees. Most importantly, participants are equipped with an understanding of federal requirements for a hazard prevention program and a violence prevention program. Among other things, methods for conducting workplace inspections and accident investigations are also discussed, along with strategies aimed at fostering active and confident members of workplace and policy committees. Beyond legal considerations, the program further demonstrates how the two levels of health and safety representatives can communicate and work together effectively for change.
Globally Harmonized WHMIS (2 hours) - Virtual
Intended for workers, supervisors and other workplace parties, like the traditional classroom version, this virtual program offers an overview of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for WHMIS. Participants will explore new standardized information, classification and communication requirements for hazardous products used, stored, handled or disposed of in the workplace. This includes GHS WHMIS labels, safety data sheets and pictograms. Like all WHSC programs, this training applies adult learning principles to ensure learning is achieved.
Indoor Air - Virtual
Indoor air pollution is two to five times higher than outdoor pollution. Moreover, workers today often find themselves in closed buildings with outdated HVAC systems that recirculate polluted air. This three-hour module is designed to help workplace representatives proactively recognize, assess and make recommendations to control or better yet eliminate indoor pollution sources. Taking into account new research and developments, this program covers hazards such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone, formaldehyde, pesticides, legionella and now the virus that causes COVID-19. Relevant legislation and measures to combat these hazards now notably also include those needed to mitigate against the transmission of COVID-19 too.
Lockout - Virtual
Participants are introduced to the many sources of energy in a workplace and how each can be hazardous and sometimes fatal to exposed workers. They will discuss the basic concepts of lockout as a method of producing a "zero energy state". Relevant legislation will be outlined along with components of an effective lockout program including the tools used to recognize and assess potential hazards. Strategies for developing and implementing an effective workplace specific lockout program, including training, will also be discussed.
NOTE: The WHSC also offers a six-hour comprehensive Lockout program for the manufacturing sector.
* French program available.
Personal Protective Equipment - Virtual
Most safety legislation in Canada acknowledges that personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used only in special circumstances and for limited periods of time. This program will help workers understand the importance of proper care and selection of a range of PPE where it is a requirement of the job. Participants will review safe use of PPE along with the inadequacies that may add to hazard exposure risk.
* French program available.
Psychosocial Hazards and Workplace Mental Health - Virtual
This program provides a basic understanding of psychosocial work hazards and how they may impact workers’ mental health. It outlines the health effects associated with psychosocial hazards and explores a range of workplace factors from job demands/job control and worker engagement to civility and respect. Equally important, participants will discuss a host of methods to identify and assess psychosocial hazards including policies and programs, physical and cognitive demands analysis and workplace surveys. The program concludes with a discussion on preventative and protective measures for a safer and healthier workplace. The use of video clips and case studies also engages learners and helps them identify and understand contributing and workplace factors and gain a basic understanding of the accommodation process.
Supervisor Health & Safety Training - Virtual
This informative one-day program is designed to help supervisors understand and fulfill all of their legal duties and responsibilities including the consequences of noncompliance. Under Ontario’s Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations, employers must ensure supervisors complete basic occupational health and safety awareness training in addition to knowledge and competency-based training specific to the workplace. Participants will learn about the Internal Responsibility System (IRS), the concept of due diligence and the rights and functions of the joint health and safety committee (JHSC). Detailed attention is paid to the supervisor's role in work refusals, Ministry of Labour workplace inspections and JHSC or health and safety representative inspections and investigations, all governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The program also reviews relevant case law and provisions of the Criminal Code to give participants a clear understanding of their duties under this Federal statute.
Worker Health and Safety Awareness (2 hours) - Virtual
This training program reviews key elements of an effective health and safety program and the important role of workers, supervisors, employers and health and safety representatives. Participants will discuss hazard-specific training programs required by law including, WHMIS, confined space entry, lockout and workplace violence prevention, that may be necessary for their workplace. Through this training, workers learn the elements of health and safety theory and how to apply them in order to help identify hazards and implement effective controls. This introductory training program is an excellent foundational program for new workplace entrants or regular review for existing employees.
Workplace Violence and Harassment - Virtual
This program is designed to help workplace parties address workplace violence hazards and comply with the legal requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to address violence and harassment in the workplace as outlined by Bill 168. Participants will review the definition of workplace violence and harassment and discuss risk factors associated with workplace violence. They will also evaluate tools necessary to identify and assess workplace violence hazards in order to implement effective control measures.
Participants will develop the knowledge necessary to help them fulfill OHSA's requirements including developing and posting written policies with respect to workplace violence, conducting a risk assessment, developing a workplace violence and harassment program and training workers regarding the workplace policies and programs. They will also learn about the employer's duty to observe for evidence of domestic violence and to provide information about "a person with a history of violent behaviour."