The Province of Ontario has introduced new mandatory health and safety awareness training for all workers and supervisors effective July 1, 2014.

This training is required under Ontario Regulation 297/13 Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training, pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

The training is aimed at increasing workers’ and supervisors’ knowledge of basic rights and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and to heighten awareness of basic workplace health and safety issues.

What does this mean for you?

McMaster University Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS) has updated its current Health and Safety Orientation online training program to include key compliance components as provided by the Ministry of Labour in early June.

For the past six months the Workplace Wellbeing Newsletter has provided a preview of this Regulation in preparation of the update of this required training program.

The training is now available as of Monday June 23, 2014 at the following website:

http://cll.mcmaster.ca/eohss/healthsafety.htm

Am I required to complete this training if I have taken it in the past?

Yes, the Health and Safety Orientation training program includes new components along with reinforcing key safety information under the OHSA.

All workers and supervisors who have completed their orientation training in the past are required to take the new Health and Safety Orientation training. The MOL requires a record of training for compliance. After watching the 30 minute video, the verification is complete by submitting the evaluation/test to eohss@mcmaster.ca (If you are from the Faculty of Health Sciences, please send your evaluation/test to the FHS Safety Office in HSC 1J11A or fax to 905-528-8539).

Both supervisors and workers must complete this training to achieve compliance with Regulation effective July 1, 2014.

As a new worker or supervisor:

The regulation requires supervisors to complete the mandatory awareness training within five days of their commencement of employment as a supervisor. Workers are to complete training as soon as practicable and before working with any hazard.

The Health and Safety Orientation is the initial training course for completion.  In addition you will be required to take other health and safety courses. Please refer to the training matrix http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss/training/matrix/ and the job hazard analysis http://jhaweb.mcmaster.ca/ for more specific information.

If you are unclear regarding the training expectations of yourself or your employees please contact our office at extension 24352 or eohss@mcmaster.ca.

Further information regarding the new training regulation can be found on the Ontario Ministry of Labour website at http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/