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 - Adult Probation and Parole
Before joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members in Ontario-regulated workplaces can become fully certified, they are required to complete a second round of training commonly known as Certification Part II training. This training is designed to help certified representatives identify, assess and control, or better yet eliminate, hazards specific to their workplace.
The WHSC adult probation and parole sector program meets the needs of workplaces typical in this sector. This program allows workplaces to get into compliance fast. For further details see our product sheet library.
Certification Part II - Education - Virtual
Before joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members in Ontario-regulated workplaces can become fully certified, they are required to complete a second round of training commonly known as Certification Part II training. This training is designed to help certified representatives identify, assess and control, or better yet eliminate, hazards specific to their workplace. The WHSC education sector program meets the needs of workplaces typical in this sector. This program allows workplaces to get into compliance fast. 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; 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 Part II - Health Care & Social Services - Virtual
Before joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members in Ontario-regulated workplaces can become fully certified, they are required to complete a second round of training commonly known as Certification Part II training. This training is designed to help certified representatives identify, assess and control, or better yet eliminate, hazards specific to their workplace. The WHSC health care and social services sector program meets the needs of workplaces typical in this sector. This program allows workplaces to get into compliance fast. For further details see our product sheet library.
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.
Critical Incident and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Virtual
Participants review the many causes of critical incident stress (CIS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) including major catastrophes, violent situations and hazardous exposures. How the body responds to stressful situations or events is explored in terms of acute and chronic health effects. Equally important is a focus on primary prevention in order to eliminate or limit exposure to stressors along with methods for coping with CIS and PTSD such as counseling provided through Employee Assistance Programs. Participants will also discuss the development and implementation of policies and programs dealing with CIS and PTSD.
Ergonomics and MSDs - Virtual
Poorly designed work and work environments can contribute to painful and life-altering musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These account for more than 40 per cent of all approved lost-time injury claims in Ontario. This program provides joint health and safety committees with the knowledge and skills to recognize, assess and control, if not eliminate, factors that contribute to MSDs. Participants will review types of MSDs, their symptoms and health effects, explore how job demands and workplace components can contribute to MSDs, and learn how to identify and assess tasks that increase the risk of injury. Participants will also learn how ergonomics can be used to reduce job demands allowing workers to complete tasks more comfortably and safely.
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.
Fire Watch - Virtual
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.
Heat and Cold Stress - Virtual
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.
Hours of Work - Virtual
This program explores the many risks to health and safey and quality of life experienced by those working non-standard or long hours. Risk to workers includes sleep disorders, stress, heart problems and some forms of cancer. Non-standard shifts also have a negative impact on mental and psychological well-being as workers may have difficulty achieving a satisfactory work-life balance. The program discusses legislation governing hours of work, including Ontario's Employment Standards Act and Canada Labour Code, Part III. It also examines various types of non-standard shifts and ways to minimize the harmful effects of often unavoidable shift work. The importance of input from workers and members of joint committees when exploring effective solutions and strategies is also discussed.
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.
Lockdown: A Crisis Response - Virtual
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.
Office Work Environment - Virtual
Participants discuss how office work has changed over the past decade and how these changes have made these environments more hazardous. They will explore how posture, force, and repetition influence the risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as back pain and tendonitis. Also identified is the basic office ergonomic design principles needed to reduce the risk for developing an MSD. Poor indoor air quality and stress are just two of many more office hazards to be discussed. Relevant legislation is reviewed along with guidelines for office ergonomics developed by the Canadian Standards Association. Participants then review assessment tools for identifying and assessing hazards in the office environment and the risk to health for exposed workers. Participants will also review the components of an effective action plan aimed at eliminating the wide range of risk factors found in the modern office setting.
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.
Stress in the Workplace - Virtual
Mounting evidence shows workplace stress is a serious hazard posing significant risk to workers’ health and the financial well-being of businesses. This program is designed to equip participants with information helping them to understand the tell-tale signs in those suffering stress-related health impacts. The many aspects of work that can be stressful to workers are explored along with strategies to eliminate or reduce exposure. This program includes several practical tools participants can use in their workplace for assessing harmful working conditions and related health impacts, including the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ).
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.
Work Organization - Virtual
This program explores how hours of work, scheduling, technological change, pace of work and other elements of work organization affect the health and well-being of workers. Relevant legislation is reviewed along with hazard recognition and assessment tools. Flextime, job enrichment and job rotation are just a few of the measures explored that look to overcome the hazards associated with poor work organization and lessen the risk to health faced by workers.
Worker H&S Representative - Smaller Workplaces - Virtual
Under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, most workplaces which regularly employ between six and 19 workers must ensure there is at least one worker health and safety representative, selected by those workers who do not exercise managerial functions.
Health and safety representatives have the legal right and power to inspect the workplace, investigate injuries and recommend control measures. This two-day comprehensive training program is designed to help health and safety representatives fulfill their important role and to support their prevention efforts. Participants will gain knowledge about their rights and powers under the law. They will learn the skills necessary to develop a proper inspection procedure, to conduct an effective investigation, and to establish, maintain and review a workplace health and safety program.
Workplace Violence and Harassment - Virtual
This program is designed to raise awareness about the serious risk to physical and mental health posed by workplace violence and harassment. It is also intended to help workplace parties understand and comply with the legal requirements mandated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act to address violence and harassment (including domestic violence). Employers, for instance, are required to develop workplace-specific violence and harassment policies and programs. Essential elements of these will be explored including procedures for workers to report incidents along with worker training. Participants will discuss workplace-specific strategies for identifying and assessing potential for workplace violence and harassment and observing for evidence of domestic violence. Also discussed will be specific control measures for eliminating or controlling potential exposure to violence and harassment.