IMPORTANT NOTICE – REVISED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
Recently, the Ontario Ministry of Labour has introduced new training standards for Joint Health & Safety Committee Certification Training (both Phase 1 and 2).
While changes to the curriculum have been made, the most significant changes relate to the time commitment required for Core Certification Training as well as the Phase 2 component. Under the current guidelines, Core training is a 2-day course with a single day Phase 2 – work specific component. Under the new training standards, Core will now be a 3-day training course accompanied by a minimum 2-day Phase 2 – Work Specific training and will now require JHSC members to receive “Refresher” training every 3 years. The minimum duration for the Refresher training will be one full day.
JHSC Members certified under the existing 1996 Standards will remain certified and will not be subject to additional requirements to maintain their certification, at this time. The 1996 Certification Standards will remain in effect until February 29, 2016, but as of March 1st, 2016, any new JHSC members looking to be certified will be subject to the new training standards.
The extended (at least two additional days) training standards will pose an imposition for employers needing to have workers certified. While we will be capable of assisting anyone wishing to be trained under the new standard come March 1st 2016, we are advising all clients considering having workers certified, to take advantage of the 4-month transition period and do so prior to the Mar. 1, 2016 deadline in order to avoid additional cost and time.
We welcome your inquiries and urge you to consider scheduling your certification requirements asap by giving us a call at (905) 821-8928.
