Invest in fall prevention

When the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA) launched the new Working at Heights – Fundamentals of Fall Prevention training program last year, Peter Fonseca, then Minister of Labour, said that it “has the potential to become the gold standard for basic fall-prevention training in the province.” The popularity of the first batch of sessions definitely supports Mr. Fonseca’s statement. This full-day program has consistently attracted a good turnout. In some areas, sessions are selling out.

Now, IHSA is offering companies the opportunity to participate in this success by becoming training partners (2.06 mb). When you become an IHSA training partner, you gain access to IHSA’s innovative training materials to train all your workers whenever they need it. You will save on the cost and hassle of sending them to outside training sessions.

In addition, you can also strengthen a revenue stream for your company. For a minimal investment of about $5000 for equipment and materials, you will be set up to train others in your industry.

Fall prevention training is mandatory in several sectors and Ministry of Labour inspectors continue to concentrate on fall hazards when they visit workplaces, which means many companies will look for training providers over the next few years. The Dean panel’s report on the state of Ontario’s health and safety system recommends more training in the construction sector, which will also increase the demand for fall prevention training in the near future. IHSA needs partners to ensure that Working at Heights reaches workers in all corners of the province.

If your company is looking to secure internal training resources or increase its business, start the process of becoming an IHSA training partner today.

Becoming an IHSA training partner

There are five simple steps to becoming an IHSA training partner.

Step 1: Contact IHSA.

Contact IHSA at 1-800-781-2726 or info@ihsa.ca and explain that your company would like to become a training partner. A customer service representative will connect you with a contract administrator.

Step 2: Sign an IHSA Training Provider Agreement.

The contract administrator will send you a Training Provider Agreement. Once you have reviewed and signed the agreement, return it to the contract administrator. Then, you will be provided with an IHSA Training Provider Number. This number identifies your company as an approved training provider.

Step 3: Request IHSA Instructor Application Packages.

Each person in your company who would like to become a qualified instructor needs to complete an Instructor Application Package (52 kb). Ask the contract administrator for the appropriate number of packages or download them from the website.

Before returning the package to the contract administrator, make sure that you have these prerequisites:

• Successfully complete the Working at Heights program. It must have been delivered by an IHSA trainer.
• Successfully complete IHSA’s Principles of Effective Training program or its equivalent.
• Complete IHSA’s Competency Survey (in your Application Package).
• Have at least five years of industry experience.

Step 4: Take IHSA’s one-day Working at Heights Instructor Workshop.

Once each application package has been approved, you will receive confirmation along with an Instructor Number. Now that you have an Instructor Number, you can register for the Working at Heights Instructor Workshop. To register, visit the training schedule for dates and locations, and download the Registration Form. The cost is $160 + HST for members and $320 + HST for non-members.

Step 5: Order course materials from IHSA.

Once you have successfully completed the Working at Heights Instructor Workshop, order the materials you will need to deliver the program. Contact customer service at 1-800-781-2726 or info@ihsa.ca for pricing and information.

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