How to Choose a Working at Heights Training Provider

2/4/2016

I know that most of you in the construction industry realize the need to complete your Working at Heights training. This post is not about why you need to complete training but rather how to ensure you're selecting the right training provider. There are many factors to consider such as location, cost, reviews and availability - but the most important piece of information you must have when choosing your instructor is are they approved?

There are now 66 approved training providers that deliver public training listed on the Ministry of Labour site. We are one of them, having received approval April 29, 2015. I can speak from our experience and tell you that that every one of these approved providers has invested a great deal of time, expertise, passion and money to achieve this approval status. All of our training materials and course delivery packages have gone under strict scrutiny through a multi-channel approval process and we all carry the required insurances including WSIB, Liability and Errors and Omissions.

I have come across a few websites that promote Working at Heights training but the company is not listed as an approved training provider on the Ministry of Labour site nor do they indicate if they are an approved training provider for an organization such as the IHSA, which also lists their providers. Very confusing, and if you're not sure I urge you to check into the credentials of any training provider you might be considering.

Here are a few things you should look for as you're browsing the web.

Your first stop should be the Ministry of Labour site. Here you will find the list of approved training providers who offer services across Ontario.
Websites and social media profiles of approved providers are usually pretty clear about the approval status - after all we worked hard to get here and we're excited to promote our success and ability to help you.
WAH course descriptions are also clear and consistent amongst providers and will reference approval of the Chief Prevention Officer of the Ministry of Labour.
When in doubt call the training provider and ask them to clarify how they are approved - they may be an approved training provider under another organization like Safety Guys or the IHSA...then double check with the lead organization to ensure they are listed and approved to instruct.
The "Stop Falls" logo at the top of this post is permitted to be used by authorized training providers only. Use of this logo on a website is also a good indication that you are dealing with authorized training provider...but again its fairly easy to lift graphics, so refer to post 3 when in doubt.
You have every right to request a copy of WSIB and Insurance documents, an approved provider will be more than happy to send that off to you.
If you successfully pass your training, the Ministry of Labour will issue you an official wallet card in addition to the one you receive on the day of training. This process can take up to 4 months, but if you have still not received an MOL card after that time you may want to start asking questions.
In order to protect the integrity of this training program, I would urge you to contact the MOL if you feel you have discovered a "bogus" training provider or received training that was not approved.

Any questions? Call us, email us, send us a tweet, or message us on Facebook...we're here to help make your life a little bit easier.

Above all else...
make sure you are working with an approved training provider by the Chief Prevention Officer of the Ministry of Labour