While the COVID-19 virus remains a key focus of workplace prevention efforts, other workplace hazards mustn’t be overlooked.
In fact, Ontario’s
Occupational Health and Safety Act (
OHSA), requires
employers to address workplace hazards of all kinds. Depending on the workplace, in addition to the COVID-19 virus, this can include any number of hazards ranging from toxic chemicals and working at heights, to violence and harassment and uncontrolled sources of energy or musculoskeletal disorders for instance. Equally important,
employers must also take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers from these hazards.
Although
employers have the greatest legal responsibility for worker health and safety, the law also recognizes the
rights of others to play an important role in pursuit of prevention, namely joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members and worker health and safety representatives.
OHSA also recognizes training as a critical step to ensuring they are also prepared to play an informed role. Hence why for some 30 years now,
employers are obligated by law to provide JHSC members Certification Training.
Need to get into compliance? Need to confront new and old hazards of concern? Why not get started today? Train with Ontario’s only government-designated health and safety training centre. Register for upcoming
Certification Training — Certification Part I, Certification Part II and Certification Refresher training — all offered in convenient and COVID-safe virtual classrooms. We have courses scheduled weekly through to December.
Don’t delay as class sizes are capped.
Certification, the details
If your workplace employs 20 or more workers or a
designated substance is onsite, a joint health and safety committee (JHSC) is required. In this case, employers must
"carry out" Certification training for
at least two members of the JHSC, one worker representative and one management representative, including approved
JHSC Certification Part I,
JHSC Certification Part II and
JHSC Certification Refresher.
Though, many workplaces elect to train their entire committee to
build the in-house human resource capacity to help identify and control all hazards. In smaller workplaces, some employers recognize the utility of this training and ensure health and safety representatives complete it too.
Other training needs
Health and safety law also requires employers to meet additional training requirements. In support, WHSC has also scheduled the following
required or essential programs in the coming weeks and months.
WHSC- scheduled
virtual classroom training
- Federal Committees and Representatives
- Indoor Air
- Globally Harmonized WHMIS
- Psychosocial Hazards and Workplace Mental Health
- Workplace Violence and Harassment
- Lockout
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Supervisor Training
WHSC-scheduled in-person training
Don’t see what you need? Beyond scheduled classes, and where participant numbers warrant, we can work with you to coordinate almost any of
our training courses for all workers, workplace representatives and supervisors.
Need more information still?
Call a
WHSC training services representative in your area.
Email:
contactus@whsc.on.ca
Visit:
www.whsc.on.ca
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