Supervisors require additional Health and Safety Training in Ontario Workplaces

Supervisors have extra responsibilities in the workplace. This added responsibility means that supervisors require further job training, including additional health and safety training, in addition to the training that all workers in Ontario require. 

In this article, we provide an overview of:

• The Concept of Competency
• Mandatory Training for Supervisors
• Job-Specific Training
• Hazard Awareness Training
• Supervisor Competency Training

MidSouthWest Training and Consulting offers a full catalogue of health and safety training, as well as consulting services. 

The Concept of Competency

It is a requirement under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) that employers appoint competent supervisors. The Act defines competence as:

“a person who,

• Is qualified because of knowledge training and experience to organize the work and its performance,
• Is familiar with this Act and the regulations that apply to the work, and
• Has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health and safety in the workplace;”

​To be competent as defined by the Act, supervisors must complete specific training, including mandatory training, job-specific training, hazard awareness training, and specific supervisor competency training. 

Mandatory Training

Supervisors must take the same mandatory training as every other worker in Ontario that is under the jurisdiction of the Act, including:

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS)

Workplace Violence and Harassment Training
General Safety Awareness Training

​Supervisors require these courses to develop foundation for health and safety knowledge and to be considered competent under the Act. 

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities

All organizations in Ontario with one or more employee(s) must comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The purpose of the AODA is to ensure that all people in Ontario have fair access to programs and services. Employees can achieve the minimum level of training by completing an online AODA course. Additional training may be required depending on the employee’s roles and responsibilities. 

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS)

All workers who work with (or may be exposed to) hazardous products require WHMIS training. This training must include sit and job-specific information that covers your workplace’s procedures for storage, handling, use, disposal, emergencies, spills, and what to do in any other unusual or exceptional circumstances.
 
Check out MidSouthWest Training’s WHMIS course!

Workplace Violence and Harassment Training ​

All workers have the right to safe and healthy workplaces. The Act outlines the roles and responsibilities of workers, management, and employers regarding workplace violence and harassment, including the requirement to develop, implement, and enforce a policy that supports the workplace violence and harassment program. The Act also requires that all employees receive training on the contents of both the policy and the program.
 
Book Workplace Violence and Harassment Training today!
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General Safety Awareness Training

The Act requires general health and safety awareness training for every worker in Ontario. This training is mandatory for all employees who do not meet the definition of a supervisor. This training must include basic health and safety knowledge, and full instruction aimed at helping workers understand their worker rights as outlined under the Act. Sign up for Health and Safety for Workers Awareness Training now!
​

Job-Specific Training

In addition to basic health and safety training, supervisors require job-specific training. For example, a supervisor who oversees a warehouse where lift trucks are used frequently must have training in the safe operation of lift trucks to competently supervise workers and the work area. Competent supervisors should be extremely familiar with the job and associated hazards they’re tasked with overseeing.​

Hazard Awareness Training

​Competent supervisors absolutely must be aware of the hazards associated with the work. Hazard recognition, hazard assessment, and hazard control are essential components of workplace safety. Supervisors must be competent and confident when it comes to identifying and controlling hazards. Also, because supervisors are also responsible for communicating with workers regarding hazards, and in some cases even provide training aimed at protecting workers from hazards, supervisors must complete hazard awareness training that covers both general knowledge and information that is workplace specific. 

Supervisor Competency Training

Because supervisor competency is so important, the Act makes supervisor competency training mandatory. Supervisor competency training covers:

• What is a supervisor?
• Duties and responsibilities of the employer, worker, and supervisor
• JHSC roles and duties
• The Internal Responsibility System (IRS) and the role of the supervisor 
• Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
• Worker rights
• Recognizing, Assessing, Controlling, and Evaluating hazards and hazard controls (RACE)
• Addressing worker health and safety concerns
• Health and safety resources
• Inspiring employees to work safely

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Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting

MidSouthWest Training and Consulting offers a full catalogue of health and safety training, including Supervisor Competency Training. You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs.

To learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.

​Last updated November 5, 2023