Working at Heights Training

Who Needs Working at Heights Training?

All University of Toronto workers who use fall protection must undergo mandatory working at heights (WAH) training. The training must be approved by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s Chief Prevention Officer (CPO), be delivered by a CPO-approved training provider, and be taken before the worker can use fall protection.

After successful completion of an approved program, the worker will receive a WAH training certificate which is valid for 3 years. For continued compliance, departments must ensure their workers complete an approved refresher training course (half-day) or retake the full WAH training course (full-day) prior to the expiration date.

When are Fall Protection Systems Required?

Fall protection systems are required where a worker may be exposed to¹:

Falling more than 3 metres.
Falling more than 1.2 metres, if the work area is used as a path for a wheelbarrow or similar equipment.
Falling into operating machinery.
Falling into water or another liquid.
Falling into or onto a hazardous substance or object.
Falling through an opening on a work surface.

^{1 – Based on O. Reg. 213 (Regulation for Construction Projects) and O. Reg. 851 (Regulation for Industrial Establishments).}

Sign Up for Working at Heights Training

The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) office on St. George Campus hosts multiple WAH training sessions for staff each year (full-day, in-person training only). Training is provided on-site by an approved training provider arranged by EHS.

Important Notes

Have your department’s cost centre (CC) and commitment fund centre (CFC) fund numbers ready before signing up for the waitlist.
Once the required number of participants is reached, EHS will schedule a WAH training session on St. George campus.
EHS will then contact you and your supervisor by e-mail to confirm availability and registration.
This service is available only to UofT staff on St. George Campus.
Reminder: UofT staff must complete EHS002 Basic Health and Safety Awareness Training prior to attending a WAH training session. For a copy of your training records or to complete the training, please go to My EHS Training.
For UTSC and UTM departments: Contact your local EHS office to arrange working at heights training for your staff.

Sign up for the WAH Training Waitlist (St. George Campus)

Elevated Work Platform Training

UofT departments who have staff that use and operate elevated work platforms (aerial work platforms) are required to undergo training on how to operate the specific class of EWP they will be using (e.g., scissor lifts, genie booms).

The EWP training is a two-part program (full day, in-person training only) consisting of an in-class theory session followed by a practical training component (training on up to two classes of EWPs). After successful completion of the written exam and practical test, the worker will receive an EWP training certificate which is valid for 3 years. For continued compliance, departments must ensure their workers renew their training prior to the expiration date.

EHS can assist departments arrange for EWP training to be provided on-site by an approved training provider.

Important Notes

Contact the EHS office (ehs.office@utoronto.ca) to schedule an EWP training session on St. George Campus. This service is available only to UofT staff on St. George Campus.
Provide EHS with your department’s cost centre (CC) and commitment fund centre (CFC) fund numbers.
Up to 10 participants per class.
Each participant must have a valid Working at Heights certificate prior to EWP training.
Each participant must arrive to class with CSA-approved steel-toed shoes, full-body harness, and lanyard.
Theory component will be held in an EHS classroom. Practical component will be held at a designated location on campus arranged by the department.
Departments must rent or provide their own EWP and arrange for it to be delivered to campus prior to training.
For UTSC and UTM departments: Contact your local EHS office to arrange EWP training for your staff.

Other Options?

If there are logistical issues preventing you or your staff from attending a WAH or EWP training session on campus, you can arrange for training with a CPO-approved provider at an off-campus location. To find available CPO approved training in your area, visit the MLITSD CMS website. After successful completion of the training program, you must submit a copy of your proof of training to EHS. EHS will then update your training records on My EHS Training.