Ontario adds online training option for health and safety certification

The program can now be completed remotely so that companies don't have to send their employees to a five-day classroom course. The government estimates the changes will save companies $5 million per year.

Training can now take place solely online for the first part of the learning, in addition to classroom, blended and distance learning. The government has also extended the time allocated to complete the second part of training to within a year of completing the first part, providing more time for employers to schedule training.

"Joint health and safety committees are a cornerstone of a well-functioning workplace internal responsibility system. These improvements will help workplaces promote a strong health and safety culture by meeting the needs of both employers and workers," says Ron Kelusky, Ontario's chief prevention officer.

Generally, workplaces with 20 or more workers are required to have a Joint Health Safety Committee (JHSC) with one certified worker member and one certified employer member.

About 15,000 JHSC members are certified every year in Ontario.