| On January 1, 2002 there will be some significant
changes within workplaces across Ontario. By 2002,
every employer will have had to identify their top
workplace hazards. Employers must certify two designated
members and educate their employees on control measures
and injury/illness potentials caused by their workplace
hazards. Millions of dollars are wasted every year
because of lost time, compromised productivity and
shutdowns due to accidents. It makes sense to identify
and train employees on workplace hazards.
The Workplace Specific Hazard Training (WSHT)
program is the second part of the Workplace Safety
& Insurance Boards (WSIB's) certification
training for designated members on the Joint Occupational
Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC). All employers
with greater than 20 employees are currently required
to have a management and worker member certified.
The JOHSC should be ready to move onto WSHT Level
II Certification. WSHT requirements will vary
from workplace to workplace. Training requirements
will depend on what significant hazards are present
in a company. The challenge for some companies
will be that they have not identified their significant
hazards.
Employers are responsible for determining through
a Workplace Hazard Analysis the significant hazards
present in their workplace. This should be done
scientifically by reviewing accident and incident
statistics as well as conducting a risk assessment.
These hazards may include: machine guarding or
lock out, ergonomics, manual material handling,
chemicals, forklift operation, pedestrian walkways,
confined spaces, hand tools, vibration, transportation
of dangerous goods, fires, spills, biological
agents, hot/cold work, housekeeping, sharp objects,
working from heights and slippery surfaces, to
name a few. Once employers identify their hazards
they must then have their certified members trained
on how to avoid and control these hazards. Training
on at least 3-5 hazards will be required to receive
certification. Employers are required to inform
the WSIB of their top hazards and the training
that has taken place. The WSIB also requires that
a verification form be filled out and sent to
them. This form, called the 'Workplace Specific
Hazards Training Confirmation Form' (3189A2) requires
the following information:
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