Asbestos
Participants learn about the nature of asbestos and the different types found in the workplace as well as the circumstances where worker exposure may occur. Participants review the Regulation Respecting Asbestos and other relevant legislation. Various methods of identifying and assessing asbestos exposure risks in the workplace are explored including workplace inspections and air sampling. Mandatory asbestos management programs are discussed along with practical methods for controlling worker exposure.
VIDEO: Hazards of Asbestos [12 minutes]
Certification Part I
The Workers Health & Safety Centre developed this 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. For further details, see our product sheet library.
Certification Part II - General Stream
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; Biological Hazards; 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
Certified members of joint health and safety committees (JHSC) in Ontario must complete a Ministry of Labour (MOL)-approved Refresher program within three years of completing Certification Part II and every three years thereafter. The WHSC Certification Refresher training is MOL-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.
Chemical Hazards
In this three-hour program participants discuss the characteristics of chemical hazards, their various physical states, and review key terms like acute, chronic, latency and synergistic effects. To ensure learning is relevant participants create a list of chemicals in their workplaces for reference throughout the course, for example, when discussing health effects and control measures. Learners explore how WHMIS can be used to identify and assess chemical hazards and they will generate a list of questions to help determine if WHMIS is working. With practice using safety data sheets to find information about chemicals, participants will discuss what to do if information is lacking. Upon successful completion learners will be better equipped to make strong recommendations that will protect workers from exposure to chemical hazards.
Confined Spaces
Participants will discuss potential hazards and legal requirements relevant to confined space entry outlined in the Confined Spaces Regulation. They will review and discuss the key elements of a confined space entry program, including testing and monitoring of the atmosphere and the various types of equipment and tools that help to protect workers. The need to develop workplace specific confined space entry procedures with input from joint committees and workers is discussed along with the provision of effective worker training.
NOTE: The WHSC offers a two-day Confined Spaces Plan and Program training designed to help workplace parties understand their legal duties in developing, implementing and maintaining a workplace-specific confined space program. The one-day Confined Spaces Entry and Hazard Recognition training is designed for workers required to enter confined spaces and those who perform related work.
Heat and Cold Stress
Participants explore how the body reacts to temperature extremes and specific situations where workers may be exposed to dangerous levels of heat or cold. The lack of specific legislation protecting exposed workers is discussed along with measures for identifying and assessing potential health risks from temperature extremes. Participants will consider specific methods of controlling worker exposure to temperature extremes and discuss the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of each.
Lockdown: A Crisis Response
This three-hour training program is developed in response to incidents of random violence in schools, colleges, and universities. It is designed to equip participants with training and practical tools that will enable them to review, assess and make recommendations for adjustments to their existing lockdown plan or to develop an entirely new plan. By the end of the training, participants will be able to apply the nine principles of an effective lockdown plan. Among others, the training addresses the importance of using consistent terms, planning evacuation routes, designating safe shelter areas, identifying vulnerable areas, accommodating disabled staff and students, worker education, and lockdown drills. Note: If their organization has an existing lockdown plan, participants are encouraged to bring it with them to the training.
Lockout
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.
Moving Machine Parts
In this program participants will gain an understanding of the hazards associated with machines by breaking them down into component parts and looking closely at how characteristic actions and motions of machines create hazadous conditions. The legal requirement to safeguard moving machine parts in order to protect workers is emphasized. Participants are also given tools necessary to identify, assess and control machine hazards.
OTM Book 7
This one-day program is designed for worker health and safety representatives, joint health and safety committees and worker trades committees where applicable, along with road construction crew lead hands and supervisors, with either powers or obligations related to ensuring safer traffic control in temporary work zones. There is a “Field Edition” and “Office Edition” of OTM Book 7. The “Field Edition” is intended only as a reference while in the field. The new WHSC OMT Book 7 training explores the “Office Edition” which should be used to design traffic control plans, as it includes relevant details and rationale for design choices aimed at protecting workers and aiding the safe flow of traffic. As such, the new WHSC program equips participants with an understanding of fundamental principles, guidelines, and current best practices critical to the control of traffic and safety of workers in temporary work zones. NOTE: It is recommended participants complete the WHSC Traffic Control and Signal Person program prior to OTM Book 7.
Propane for CH-02 ROT
To work with propane and use propane fuelled equipment workers must hold a CH-02 (Construction Heater Operator 2) certificate from an accredited training facility. This one day, WHSC Propane CH-02 ROT program meets and surpasses the regulatory requirements of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and its regulations. The training program consists of two sessions. First, an in-class session provides participants with critical education on propane characteristics, proper handling, storage and use, plus applicable legislation. Participants will also be required to complete written evaluation worksheets. A second hands-on session allows participants to learn and then demonstrate skills such as inspections and transfers, as well as how to manifold three cylinders together, connect construction heaters and torches to cylinders, and safely start up and shut down all equipment. Upon successful conclusion, the training program participants will receive a record of training (ROT) certificate, valid for three years from date of issue.
Supervisor Health & Safety Training
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.
Traffic Control and Signal Person
This one-day program is aimed principally at workers who perform traffic control and signalling duties along with supervisors overseeing these activities. Worker representatives looking to exercise their right to participate in ensuring safer road work would also benefit from this program. Participants explore the extensive hazards related to road work along with safe work practices and devices designed to control exposure. They are also introduced to Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) Book 7 (Temporary Conditions) which provides practical guidance regarding the use of traffic control devices in temporary work zones on or beside roads and highways. Hands-on practical exercises further aid in understanding safe work practices and traffic control devices such as three-way communication and directing traffic using stop/slow paddles.
Worker Health and Safety Awareness (3 hours)
This program enables employers to meet a specific legal duty to ensure workers complete basic occupational health and safety awareness training. It further helps employers fulfill their general duty to provide health and safety information and instruction to workers and is an ideal regular review for existing employees. Participants will be introduced to Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, the rights and responsibilities of employers, supervisors and workers, functions of health and safety representatives, joint health and safety committees and certified committee members and workers’ right to know, to participate and refuse unsafe work. Participants will review the most common workplace hazards and discuss how to apply effective controls based on the hierarchy of controls. Lastly, the program emphasizes the requirement of and need for a policy and program to guide hazard control and protect worker health and safety.
Working at Heights
Employers must ensure workers on construction projects complete an approved working at heights (WAH) training program before a worker uses a fall restricting system, fall arrest system, safety net, work belt or safety belt. This comprehensive program meets and exceeds the required standard. Participants will learn about the hazards of WAH, basic rights and duties along with relevant regulations governing fall arrest hazards, fall protection equipment and WAH projects. They will also be introduced to the use, inspection, limitations, storage and procedures for travel restraint, fall restricting and fall arrest systems. Importantly, the program includes hands-on training on fall protection equipment and systems and key components of a fall rescue plan and emergency procedures too.
Training participants must also complete a written program evaluation as required by the Ministry’s Working at Heights Training Program Standard. * French program available upon request.
Working at Heights Refresher
Employers must ensure construction project workers complete approved working at heights (WAH) training before they start work at heights and use fall protection equipment. Additionally, these workers must complete an approved refresher training every three years thereafter. The WHSC approved Working at Heights Refresher program involves a review of basic awareness ranging from significant employer and supervisor obligations to working at heights-related hazards, along with safeguards and procedures designed to protect workers. This training also involves a review of the functionality and safety aspects of fall protection equipment and systems including a hands-on practicum. Successful completion of this refresher training will re-validate WAH training compliance for three years.
NOTE: The Ministry of Labour requires provincially-issued photo identification (ID) and proof of prior WAH training for all participants of WAH Refresher training. Please bring this ID and proof to the training course. As proof the Ministry prefers your Ministry of Labour-issued Working at Heights training wallet card. However, if you completed your initial training with WHSC and your name and address remains the same as when you first trained with us, WHSC can supply this proof to the Ministry for you. If your initial training was provided by another organization though, then along with your ID, you must bring to training your Ministry of Labour-issued card. If you have misplaced your card, call the Ministry Toll-free at 1-877-202-0008 and ask them to provide you with your Working at Heights learner number. Then bring this number with you to training.
* French program available upon request.