MOL EVALUATING WORKING AT HEIGHTS TRAINING STANDARDS
Ontario is investing $595,000 to assess the effectiveness of its Working at Heights (WAH) training standards to help prevent fall accidents and fatalities at construction sites. Falls from heights are the number one cause of traumatic fatalities of Ontario construction workers. Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2017, 11 workers died on the job due to falls.
“Falls continue to be a leading cause of critical injuries and fatalities of construction workers,” observed Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn in a statement. “By ensuring that these training standards are effective, we will reduce fatal incidents at work by making sure workers receive high-quality, consistent training.”
Based upon a standard that came into effect on April 1, 2015, Ontario employers must ensure that certain workers complete a training program that has been approved by the chief prevention officer and delivered by an approved training provider before they can work at heights.
The standards allow for “high quality and consistent training” for learners, and include a practical component on the appropriate use of fall protective equipment, the Ministry of Labour (MOL) notes.
Once the review is complete, the MOL will evaluate the results to determine whether any changes to improve the effectiveness of the WAH training initiative are needed.