Ontario employers must ensure a double cohort of construction workers in their employ complete Working at Heights (WAH) Refresher training between now and August 31, 2021.
 
Recognizing this will test the capacity of the training delivery system, the Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC) is ready to help. Our spring schedule includes WAH Refresher training in a growing number of Ontario communities. Register today to secure your training seat.
 
Please note, by necessity, this hands-on training is delivered in person. At each location we have implemented strict COVID-19 precautions, including proper screening, reduced class sizes to ensure physical distancing and mandatory mask use.

Employer WAH training obligations

Ontario regulation requires employers to ensure all construction workers in their employ secure WAH training that meets training standards, is approved by the Ministry of Labour's Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) and is delivered by an approved provider. Workers must also successfully complete this training before working at heights and using a fall protection system. 
 
Approved WAH training is valid for three years from the date of successful completion. For continued compliance, employers must ensure workers complete an approved WAH refresher training prior to the expiration of this three year period and every three years thereafter.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Ontario government mandated a one year extension to comply with WAH refresher training requirements for those who successfully completed the initial WAH training between February 28 and August 31, 2017. According to the Ministry of Labour, mandatory renewal training for more than 120,000 workers expired during this time period.
 
These workers must now participate in WAH refresher training prior to the fourth anniversary of completing the initial WAH training. This is in addition to the worker cohort who completed their WAH training after September 1, 2017 and are approaching their third anniversary.

WHSC, aiding WAH compliance now

As Ontario’s government designated training centre, Workers Health & Safety Centre is a leading provider of approved Working at Heights training and refresher training. Both training programs are:

• priced competitively,
• designed to ensure critical learning is achieved,
• delivered by experienced instructors from the trades, and
• supported by complete training records and replacement cards when needed.

Again, to ensure compliance with WAH refresher training register today. Don’t see a date and location that works for you? Contact a WHSC training service representative at a location nearest you. We are working hard to expand our scheduled offerings and with unions and employers to bring this proven, life-saving training to all with an appropriate training facility.

We can also help ensure access to training for new hires and those with new assignments who must complete the initial WAH training before working at heights.

Need more information still?
Check out our online Working at Heights resources
 
Need assistance with COVID-related training and information needs?
WHSC COVID-19 training updated and scheduled in virtual classrooms
Check out our virtual training opportunities
Check out our online COVID resources
 
Other related resources
Regulated working at heights training works and needed: studies