Most in-person training has been cancelled since the COVID-19 pandemic. Nowadays, there has been a surge in online courses being offered.The Ontario government has launched online training to promote safe workplaces. There are 10 different virtual courses being offered, which include topics such as infection control, conducting health and safety incident investigations, ladder safety, slips, trips and falls prevention, and preventing workplace violence and harassment.
“This is the first time this type of online safety training has been made available at no cost to people who have lost their jobs and I am confident it will be an effective way to prepare people to rejoin the workforce safely,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development. “The training is free and accessible from anywhere, so people can learn from their own homes.” There are no prerequisites for qualifying for any of the health and safety training. It is open to anyone accessing an Employment Ontario program.
The announcement was made on July 3. “In this new environment, we need to look for new and innovative ways to deliver services, while keeping people safe and healthy,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This virtual approach to safety training will ensure employers and employees have access to the latest information without the need to physically interact with others. In this way, we also reduce the risk of spreading this deadly (COVID-19) virus.”
Up to 100,000 job seekers can take the workplace health and safety training through Employment Ontario. In addition, work and employer members of Joint Health and Safety Committees can now use video conferencing to take training with instructors from training providers approved by Ontario’s chief prevention officer.
Ontario’s chief prevention officer is extending the time for completion of refresher training for more than 8,000 certified committee members whose certification would have expired between Feb. 28 and Aug. 31. Those people will have until Nov.30 to renew their training.