CPO-Approved Working at Heights Training for Workers
Total Group provides CPO-approved Working at Heights (WAH) training for workers who need to recognise fall hazards and use fall-protection equipment. The course covers fall prevention, equipment inspection, anchor selection and rescue planning, with theory and practical instruction.
Ontario construction-project rules require approved WAH training before workers use specified fall-protection methods. Employers must also provide instruction for the equipment and hazards at their site. Confirm the worksite jurisdiction and task requirements when selecting training. [1] [2]
What this training covers
The Ontario WAH program standard covers worker rights and responsibilities, fall-hazard recognition and the hierarchy of controls. It also addresses warning methods, barriers, safety nets, ladders, personal fall-protection systems, anchor points, work positioning, access equipment and rescue planning. [3]
- Recognising fall hazards: identify exposed edges, floor openings, fragile surfaces and hazards around ladders, platforms and elevated work areas.
- Choosing controls: consider ways to avoid exposure and prevent a fall before relying on personal fall-protection equipment.
- Checking equipment: inspect harnesses and connecting components, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and employer procedures.
- Planning the work: consider anchor points, access routes and the limits of the selected fall-protection system.
- Preparing for rescue: establish communication, equipment and roles before work starts, including what to do after a fall arrest.
Theory, practical skill and site instruction
Ontario’s WAH program has two modules: Basic Theory and Practical. Basic Theory comes first. The Practical module addresses equipment selection, inspection and use, along with anchor points and rescue planning. Ontario’s program standard does not accept eLearning as the delivery method for the Practical module. [3]
Workers also need instruction on the fall-protection system they will use at the project. Under Ontario’s Construction Projects regulation, the employer must provide adequate training and oral and written instruction from a competent person. A course record does not replace equipment-specific instruction, site orientation or a safe work plan. [4]
Who should consider this training
This worker course is relevant to construction crews who work from roofs, structures, platforms or other elevated areas. Supervisors and safety personnel who plan this work also need to understand the training requirements and site controls.
The specific Ontario WAH training requirement applies to workers on construction projects who must use a travel restraint system, fall-restricting system, fall-arrest system, safety net, work belt or safety belt. The regulation’s list defines the training requirement; it does not make each method suitable for every task. [2]
Industrial maintenance work and other elevated tasks may fall under different requirements. Confirm the workplace and employment jurisdiction, as well as employer and client requirements. Ontario construction-project WAH training should not be treated as a universal authorisation for work at height. [1]
Choosing the right training route
Start with the task and the worker’s existing training record. Determine whether the worker needs the full Ontario WAH program, meets Ontario’s refresher eligibility conditions or needs additional instruction on the site’s equipment. A separate ladder, scaffold or lift course may address equipment-specific needs that WAH training does not replace. [1] [3]
- New or transferring worker: identify the project, fall-protection method and previous training before booking.
- Worker with an existing WAH record: check the completion date, validity and previous modules before choosing a training route.
- Supervisor or employer: identify the equipment, site instruction, rescue procedures and records needed before assigning work.
This page covers worker training. Train-the-Trainer instruction is a separate offering for people who will teach; it is not the same booking or learning purpose.
Questions to answer before training
Have the employer or site lead identify the work location, tasks at height, fall-protection systems and access equipment. Discuss the anchor points workers will use and who will provide site-specific instruction. Ask Total Group what equipment or manufacturer information to bring to the practical session.
Rescue planning must connect to the actual work area. Before a fall-arrest system or safety net is used on an Ontario construction project, the employer must have written rescue procedures. The work plan should identify how the crew will raise the alarm and reach a worker after a fall. Course instruction does not replace those site procedures or establish that a rescue team is ready. [4]
Training records and employer duties
Ontario requires both the WAH program and its provider to be approved by the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO). Employers must ensure affected workers have valid training and keep the required record. That record includes the worker’s name, the approved provider’s name, the approved program’s name and the completion date. [1] [2]
Keep the training record available and connect it to the worker’s site instruction. The employer remains responsible for selecting suitable controls, providing equipment instruction and preparing rescue procedures for the project. [4]
Frequently asked questions
Does online theory replace practical WAH training?
No. Ontario’s WAH program standard does not accept eLearning for the Practical module. Workers must also receive the equipment and site instruction required for their work. [3] [4]
How long is Ontario WAH training valid?
Ontario states that approved WAH training is valid for three years after successful completion. Refresher eligibility requires previous successful completion of both approved modules. Check the worker’s record and the current Ontario requirements before assigning work or choosing a refresher route. [1] [2]
Is CPO-approved WAH training required for every job at height?
The specific requirement applies to Ontario construction-project workers who must use one of the fall-protection methods listed in the regulation. Other workplaces may have different legal, employer or client requirements. Confirm which rules apply to the worksite before relying on a training record. [2]
Does worker WAH training qualify someone to teach?
Worker training addresses the hazards and equipment workers encounter at height. Train-the-Trainer instruction has a separate teaching purpose. Worker WAH training alone does not establish instructor qualifications.
References
- Ontario regulator guidance: Training for working at heights.
- Ontario law: O. Reg. 297/13, Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training, sections 6–10.
- Ontario program standard: Working at Heights Training Program Standard, modules and learning outcomes.
- Ontario law: O. Reg. 213/91, Construction Projects, sections 26–26.2.
