Working at Heights Training/Plan Ahead for Gas Shortages

Beginning April 1, 2015, employers in Ontario must ensure that workers on construction projects who may use certain methods of fall protection successfully complete “working at heights” training that meets training program and provider standards established by the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO).

The Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training Regulation (Ontario Regulation 297/13) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), has been amended to include mandatory working at heights training requirements. The working at heights training is valid for three years from the date the worker completes an approved training program delivered by an approved training provider.

In addition to these new requirements, employers continue to have a duty under Section 26.2 (1) of O. Reg. 213/91(Construction Projects) to ensure that workers who may use a fall protection system are adequately trained on the use of the system, and are given adequate oral and written instructions by a competent person.

Regulatory Requirements for Working at Heights Training Workers

The new training requirements apply to workers who are required under O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) to use any of the following methods of fall protection:

  • a travel restraint system;
  • a fall restricting system;
  • a fall arrest system;
  • a safety net;
  • a work belt;
  • a safety belt.

Employers

Employers with workers who are required by O.Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) to use any of the fall protection methods listed above must do the following to ensure they comply with the new training requirements:

  • ensure the worker completes a working at heights training program that has been approved by the CPO as having met the Working at Heights Training Program Standard applicable at the time of the training;
  • ensure the training provider delivering the training program was approved by the CPO as having met the Working at Heights Training Provider Standard applicable at the time of training;
  • ensure the worker’s training is valid and has not expired;
  • maintain a training record for the worker that includes the worker’s name, the approved training provider’s name, the date the training was completed and the name of the approved training program; and
  • make the training record available to a Ministry of Labour inspector on request.

Transition Period

If a worker has completed training before April 1, 2015 that met the requirements of section 26.2 of O. Reg. 213/91(Construction Projects), that worker will have until April 1, 2017 to complete an approved working at heights training program that is delivered by an approved training provider.

For more information:

For a list of approved training programs and providers, visit the Ministry of Labour’s web site at www.ontario.ca/workingatheights.

PLAN AHEAD FOR GLASS SUPPLY SHORTAGES

Many sources have confirmed that our industry can almost certainly expect a shortage of various types of glass during the current year. Along with those shortages it is expected that there very well could be a steep increase in prices, much longer lead times, and difficulties in on-time deliveries.

Briefly, the reasons for the anticipated disruption in glass supply are summarized as follows:

  • American demand: residential and commercial construction starts in the US have been increasing at a rate of about 14% per year and are expected to continue that trend through 2015.
  • The number of float glass plants operating in North America has decreased 20% since 2008, with no new facilities in the works.
  • The devaluation of the Canadian dollar against the US greenback.
  • There is a real trucking problem across North America.  In the United States the industry currently has between 30,000 and 35,000 unfilled truck driver jobs.Canada will need as many as 319,000 new employees over the next ten years to keep the wheels moving.

For companies in the glazing contracting industry, it will be critical to proactively forward plan your projects to lock in your glass supply, pricing, and delivery. It will also be prudent to let your contractors and architects know that they will not have the luxury of delaying decisions on the glass for their projects as they will almost surely expect delays in closing.

– Frank Fulton

 

Categories: Members Bulletins