New Requirements Under the Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training Regulation

On July 1, 2014, a new regulation came into force under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, entitled Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training. This regulation requires employers to ensure that workers (who perform work for the employer) complete a basic occupational health and safety awareness training program.

Amendments to the Regulation come into force today (April 1, 2015), which provide for an additional training requirement on employers of workers who are required to use certain methods of fall protection. These employers must ensure that the worker has completed a working at heights training program and that the validity period of the training has not expired. Could your condominium be affected by these additional training requirements?

Condominiums should review this regulation and the requirements to determine whether they could be considered an “employer”. If there is a possibility that the Corporation could be an employer, it should ensure that it verifies all workers have undergone the required training.

[Note: The working at heights training is valid for three years from the date of successful completion of the training program.]

For more information visit the Ontario Ministry of Labour website.