As you may know, the working at heights training requirements set out in O. Reg. 297/13 came into force on April 1, 2015, requiring that employers ensure that workers on construction projects successfully complete a working at heights training program approved by the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) and delivered by a CPO- approved training provider before they can work at heights.
The regulation provided for a two-year transition period for workers who, prior to April 1, 2015, met the fall protection training requirements set out in subsection 26.2(1) of O. Reg. 213/91. These workers had until April 1, 2017 to complete an approved working at heights training program.
Specifically, the deadline has been extended to October 1, 2017; thereby, lengthening the transition period by six months in specific circumstances outlined below.
In order to extend the deadline O. Reg. 297/13 (Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training) has been amended. However, there is no change in the application of the working at heights training requirements. They continue to apply only to certain workers on construction projects.
This amendment extends the transition period, in specific circumstances, from April 1 until October 1, 2017 allowing more time for employers to ensure their workers have completed CPO-approved working at heights training. In order to qualify for this extension, the worker(s) in question must:
1. Have completed fall protection training that met the requirements of subsection 26.2(1) of O. Reg. 213/91(Construction Projects) before April 1, 2015
2. Be enrolled in a CPO-approved working at heights training program that is scheduled to be completed prior to October 1, 2017
For clarity, the employer of a worker eligible for this extended transition must have
written proof of the worker’s enrollment prior to that worker performing work that would otherwise require successful completion of an approved working at heights
training program.
This proof of enrollment must be made available to an inspector upon request. The proof of enrollment must include:
1. The name of the worker
2. The name of the approved training provider
3. The date on which the approved training is scheduled to be completed
4. The name of the approved training program
For any additional questions or concerns, please visit the Ministry of Labour website at https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/opics/heights.php
To download the printer version: Working at Heights Training Requirements for Construction Projects
