New training and resources from IHSA

Boost your skills and knowledge with IHSA’s newest offerings.

IHSA is constantly evaluating the effectiveness of our training and assessing the usefulness of our products. This ensures that we are meeting the unique needs of our members—with up-to-date resources that align with changes to health and safety legislation, as well as the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices.

Check out some of IHSA’s recently added products, training programs, and eLearning courses:

DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES

Guideline for Working near Overhead Electrical Wires and Equipment on Construction Projects (W802)

Powerline Technicians undergo years of apprenticeship and training to safely conduct their work. There is no such requirement, however, for construction workers who may also have to work near electrified lines. IHSA’s new step-by-step guide walks through the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling overhead electrical hazards—to help construction workers protect themselves and their coworkers. The guide also includes a full breakdown of relevant legal requirements, including minimum distances to powerlines based on their voltage rating, and the duties of employers and supervisors with regard to electrical hazards. Download now

Temporary Stairs on Residential Construction Sites (IHSA027)

In construction, falls have long been among the main causes of lost-time injuries and fatalities. One place these incidents can occur is on or around temporary staircases that have been set up on multi-level residential building sites. If poorly designed or improperly installed, temporary stairs can be a hazard to workers, inspectors, and other visitors to the site. IHSA’s updated guide highlights legislated requirements and common dangers of temporary stairs. It also features new visuals outlining the dos and don’ts of installation, plus added technical diagrams, to help ensure due diligence is taken when temporary stairs are needed. Download now

MENTAL HEALTH SAFETY TALKS

More and more workplaces are seeing the value of supporting their employees’ psychological health and well-being. But there’s no one-size-fits-all way to do it. The sectors IHSA serves face unique and complex challenges, so it’s important to take a tailored approach to addressing them. To help businesses start the discussion about workplace mental health, IHSA has published a number of easy-to-understand safety talks on topics such as:

Each downloadable safety talk focuses on recognizing hazards and taking steps to control them. Download now

IHSA also offers How to Talk About Mental Health at Your Workplace (W131). Intended for supervisors and other health and safety facilitators in advance of delivering IHSA’s safety talks on mental health topics, this guide offers advice on talking about mental health with workers, encouraging participation, and becoming a workplace mental health leader. Download now

EXPERT TRAINING

Investigating and Reporting Incidents

Understanding how to conduct an effective workplace incident investigation is crucial to the successful improvement of any business’s health and safety management system. For health and safety representatives, supervisors, COR™ internal auditors, and other employees with prior health and safety experience and responsibilities, this course offers participants the chance to work through several case studies and conduct practical incident investigations in small groups. Sign up now

School Bus Driver Improvement

School bus drivers are a vital part of Ontario’s network of transportation operators: they ensure that children can safely get to and from school every day. IHSA’s recently redesigned School Bus Driver Improvement course reflects Ministry of Transportation (MTO) changes related to licencing requirements and vehicle standards, as well as improvements to industry best practices. It places a special focus on defensive driving techniques, while encouraging group-based problem solving of real-world safety scenarios. The course is approved by the MTO as a qualification for drivers who must successfully complete a driver-improvement course in order to obtain a classified driver’s licence. Sign up now

eLEARNING

Utility Work Protection Code Overview

The Utility Work Protection Code (UWPC) outlines responsibilities and rules for working on electrical utility equipment. It’s also a set of forms and tags that are used to establish a safe work area around that equipment. It’s specialized knowledge for a specialized job, but it can be useful for non-electrical workers to have a general understanding of the Code and its requirements. IHSA’s UWPC Overview eLearning program provides participants with the knowledge needed to recognize the restrictions of the Code and its tags and forms, and identify the various authorities that are responsible for the application of the Code. Though completion of the course does not result in certification, knowing the fundamentals of the UWPC adds another layer of protection, helping workers stay safe around electrical infrastructure. Sign up now

Entry-Level Construction

IHSA’s in-class Entry-Level Construction course has long provided new and more seasoned workers with an overview of health and safety best practices. Designed to raise awareness of hazards and their controls at dynamic, multi-trade jobsites, the general-knowledge training covers a variety of topics, including:

Now, this training is available online through IHSA’s eLearning portal. Taking approximately five hours to complete, the do-it-yourself program enables workers to learn at their own pace, from their home or office, at a time that’s convenient for them. Sign up now