April 1, 2017 is the deadline date for workers to be trained on the working at heights (WAH) training requirements as set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Construction Regulation. This training must be done through a program approved by the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) and delivered by a CPO-approved training provider before they can work at heights.
If your workers met the fall protection training requirements set out in subsection 26.2(1) of the Construction Regulation, then there was a two-year transition period. Those workers had until April 1, 2017 to complete the approved working at heights training program.
That deadline has now been extended to October 1, 2017, in specific circumstances. It will apply only to those workers who:
- are experienced workers; and
- have completed fall protection training that met the requirements of section 26.2(1) of O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) before April 1, 2015; and
- the worker must be enrolled in a WAH training program that will be completed before October 1, 2017.
The employer must have written proof of enrollment, which must be made available to an inspector upon request. The proof of enrollment must include the name of the worker, the name of the approved training provider, the date on which the approved training is scheduled to be complete, and the name of the approved training program.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.