Lauren McFarlane, BA, CHSC
We have received many calls with regard to the new Working at Heights Training Program Standard. Employers need to understand that the buzz is about a proposed standard that will likely come into effect during the summer of 2014. Stakeholder consultations remain underway, however any broad stroke changes are highly unlikely at this time.
The Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) will enforce the Working at Heights Training Program Standard once it becomes a Regulation. This may not occur in 2014, however, once it becomes a Regulation it will become mandatory.
In the past, the MOL has provided employers the necessary time to become compliant with any new Regulations. For instance, Bill 168 regarding Workplace Violence and Harassment allowed a 6-month compliance window for employers. At a recent safety conference, the MOL’s Joe O’Grady stated that employers will be provided with a 2-year period to become compliant with the Regulation once it comes into effect.