Working at heights training

A roofing or construction buyer should review crew records for this training. This entry covers Ontario only; check the rules where you are. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development says workers on construction projects who use fall protection devices must take a working at heights training program approved by the Chief Prevention Officer and delivered by an approved provider.

The employer’s duty

Section 26.2(1.1) of O. Reg. 213/91 requires an employer to ensure that a worker who may use a fall protection system meets the working at heights requirements of O. Reg. 297/13. Section 7(1) of that regulation accepts either an approved Ontario program or a Newfoundland and Labrador fall protection program, and s.8(1) says the Ontario training is valid for three years from successful completion, subject to s.8(2) for some training completed in 2017. The Ministry says a refresher program keeps it valid.

What to ask

• Proof of completion for each worker, with the date and provider
• Which workers are approaching the end of the three-year validity
• Whether each worker’s training has been confirmed with the Ministry, which the Ministry says can be done with the worker’s consent, given its warning about fraudulent training cards

The roofing contractor due diligence guide shows where crew compliance fits in the wider review.