What Is Certification Training?
Certification is a legislated two-part process that includes
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Basic training (part I)
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Workplace-specific training (part II)
Basic or part I training
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Covers the law, hazard recognition and control, and community health and safety resources
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Requires participants to write a test administered by the WSIB; participants receive an acknowledgement letter from the WSIB when they have successfully completed part I
Workplace-specific hazard or part II training
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Focuses on significant hazards in your workplaces
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Addresses significant hazards that could result in injury or illness if not controlled
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Covers how to assess those hazards and ways to control or eliminate them
Sector-specific programs are an option for completing part II certification training: your health and safety association can provide this training.
What the law says
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Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires that workplaces with 20 or more regularly employed workers have a joint health and safety committee (JHSC)
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At least one worker member and one management member of the JHSC must be certified
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To be certified, JHSC members must complete both part I and part II certification training
How certification training can affect your business
Your certified employees serve as effective health and safety role models and partners in your organization. The JHSC has an obligation to inspect workplace practices and recommend solutions to management.
What can you do?
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Monitor to make sure you are meeting the requirements of the OHSA in certifying members of your JHSC
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Complete the mandatory WSIB’s “Workplace-Specific Hazard Training Confirmation” (Form 3189A) for each member that completes certification training; the WSIB will then forward a certified member card as proof of certification
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Keep clear and up-to-date records on who has been trained and when