Important Notices & Accommodations

Program Description

Employers and workers who install or inspect suspended work platform systems (SWPSs) have an important responsibility—to ensure that the system is safe for others to use. The proper set up of an SWPS is crucial for preventing injuries and fatalities to those who work at heights with this equipment.

Before a worker installs or inspects an SWPS for the first time, they must have completed a training course such as IHSA’s Suspended Work Platform System – Installers. The Suspended Work Platform System – Installer Proficiency (SWPS – Installer Proficiency) course is intended for the competent worker and focuses on the participant’s skill to install and inspect a SWPS. This training program is designed for participants who have experience installing and inspecting SWPSs. Retraining is required as often as is necessary or at least every three years, as described in O. Reg. 213/91 s. 138.1

This proficiency-based training course meets the requirements outlined in the Construction Projects regulation (O. Reg. 213/91, s. 138.1) and the Window Cleaning regulation (Reg. 859, s. 45) as it relates to SWPSs and as such qualifies as SAE User/Installer refresher training.

Program Content

• Using work plans and roof plans
• Using fall protection equipment as it relates to an SWPS
• Installing and inspecting an SWPS
• Completing a written inspection report

Who Should Attend?

SWPS – Installer Proficiency training is intended for the competent worker who is designated by the employer to install or inspect the installation of an SWPS. This includes workers who install the SWPS components and workers who complete the written inspection report.

Prerequisites

Before taking the SWPS – Installer Proficiency training, participants must have successfully completed the following training programs:

• IHSA's Working at Heights – Fundamentals of Fall Prevention training program (or an equivalent working at heights training program approved by the Ministry of Labour/Prevention Office)
• IHSA's Suspended Access Equipment – Users training program
• IHSA’s Suspended Work Platform System – Installers training programs (or proof of a third-party SWPS installer training course)

Personal Protective Equipment

Participants must bring their own personal protective equipment (PPE), tools (listed below), and a calculator.

Participant PPE must be maintained and in good working order as per the manufacturer’s specifications and regulatory requirements. This PPE will be used during hands-on training. Participants are required to bring the following:

• Work clothing that is appropriate for the weather conditions
• CSA-certified head, foot, and eye protection
• Fall protection equipment including a CSA-certified full-body harness, lanyard with energy absorber (30 inches or less), and 5/8” rope grab
• Leather work gloves for handling sharp objects and reeving suspension cable.

Participants who do not bring the necessary clothing and PPE will not be able to complete the program.

Participants are also required to bring the following tools which will be used during the hands-on training.

• Torque wrench
• Socket set and combination wrenches
• Channel locks
• Measuring tape

Learning Evaluation

This hands-on training program is skill based. Participants must meet the following requirements and achieve a final grade of 80% to receive a record of training.

1. Complete a written multiple choice test. This evaluation is worth 20% of the final grade.

2. Complete a hands-on demonstration of eleven (11) critical tasks. This evaluation is worth 80% of the final grade. Participants must attain 100% on the scoring criteria for wearing and using their fall protection equipment.

IHSA will issue a certificate of completion only to those who successfully meet the evaluation requirements. For participants with language, literacy, or special accommodation needs, alternative evaluation methods to the written test may be used to verify that key concepts have been understood. Please discuss your needs with an IHSA Customer Service Representative when registering for the course and confirm your arrangements with the instructor before the beginning of class.

In addition to this training, employers must ensure that workers receive adequate training and written and oral instructions in the hazards and requirements for the site-specific suspended work platform system and fall protection system used in the workplace. This includes training on:

• Manufacturer's instructions for all the equipment used
• Site-specific policy and procedures.

IHSA will provide each participant with an “Employer SWPS Hands-on Evaluation” document. This document is intended to help employer’s complete workplace-specific training. It contains evaluation criteria that employers can use to measure their employee’s performance for the workplace-specific equipment used by their employees. Employers should retain a copy of this document for their training records.

Participant Course Evaluation

At the end of the training, participants will have the opportunity to evaluate and provide comments about the training they received.