Ontario's chief prevention officer has announced a new certification training program standard and training provider standard for Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC). The standards are expected to come into effect in early 2015.
The purpose of the 2014 standards is to promote high quality and consistent training of certified members in Ontario, said the government.
Key highlights of the 2014 JHSC Certification Training Program Standard include:
•Part One training that would be generic to all workplaces where certified members are required under the OHSA
•Part Two training that would be sector-specific, focusing on the concepts of recognition, assessment and control of hazards, and evaluation of the hazard controls for a minimum of six sector hazards
•Design criteria and delivery mode requirements
•Learning outcomes for Part One training, Part Two training and refresher training, and evaluation methods for learners.
Key highlights of the 2014 JHSC Certification Training Provider Standard include:
•Training provider requirements outlining compliance with legislation, insurance, course materials, learning needs, alternate delivery modes and evaluation
•Training instructor requirements outlining qualifications and delivery
•Trainig evaluator requirements
•Code of ethics
•Administrative requirements outlining items such as record-keeping, maintenance of approval status and reporting.
To support ongoing learning for certified members, it is anticipated that the chief prevention officer will also establish certification requirements that would require those trained under the 2014 standards to take refresher training, or receive a one-time exemption for an active certified member, within three years of certification to maintain certification status.
Focus groups on specific aspects of the training, such as Part Two sector hazards are planned to begin this spring across all sectors, beginning with the mining sector. The mining focus groups would be held in conjunction with a comprehensive mine health, safety and prevention review led by the chief prevention officer, said the government.
The purpose of the 2014 standards is to promote high quality and consistent training of certified members in Ontario, said the government.
Key highlights of the 2014 JHSC Certification Training Program Standard include:
•Part One training that would be generic to all workplaces where certified members are required under the OHSA
•Part Two training that would be sector-specific, focusing on the concepts of recognition, assessment and control of hazards, and evaluation of the hazard controls for a minimum of six sector hazards
•Design criteria and delivery mode requirements
•Learning outcomes for Part One training, Part Two training and refresher training, and evaluation methods for learners.
Key highlights of the 2014 JHSC Certification Training Provider Standard include:
•Training provider requirements outlining compliance with legislation, insurance, course materials, learning needs, alternate delivery modes and evaluation
•Training instructor requirements outlining qualifications and delivery
•Trainig evaluator requirements
•Code of ethics
•Administrative requirements outlining items such as record-keeping, maintenance of approval status and reporting.
To support ongoing learning for certified members, it is anticipated that the chief prevention officer will also establish certification requirements that would require those trained under the 2014 standards to take refresher training, or receive a one-time exemption for an active certified member, within three years of certification to maintain certification status.
Focus groups on specific aspects of the training, such as Part Two sector hazards are planned to begin this spring across all sectors, beginning with the mining sector. The mining focus groups would be held in conjunction with a comprehensive mine health, safety and prevention review led by the chief prevention officer, said the government.
