In Ontario, every worker on a construction project who uses fall protection must complete a Working at Heights (WAH) training program approved by the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) before using that equipment. The training is valid for three years. To keep it valid, workers complete a shorter refresher course.

This guide explains who needs the training, what it covers, how long it lasts, how renewal works and how employers can verify it.

Who needs Working at Heights training?

You need WAH training if you work on a construction project in Ontario and are required to use any of these fall protection methods:

• a travel restraint system
• a fall restricting system
• a fall arrest system
• a safety net
• a work belt or safety belt

This typically includes construction labourers, roofers, scaffolders, ironworkers, window and siding installers, and maintenance or renovation crews working on construction projects. Supervisors who plan or oversee work at heights often take the same course so they understand what their crews are trained to do.

The requirement comes from Ontario Regulation 297/13 (Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training) and applies to workplaces covered by the Construction Projects regulation (O. Reg. 213/91). Workers whose workplaces are not covered by O. Reg. 213/91 do not need this specific training, and there is a limited exemption for workers employed directly by an automobile manufacturer or assembler.

Important: WAH training does not replace equipment training. Under section 26.2 of O. Reg. 213/91, employers must also train workers on the specific fall protection equipment they use on each site.

What makes a course valid?

Not every “fall protection” course counts. To meet the Ontario requirement, the training must be:

1. A CPO-approved program. Each approved program has an ID. SF Safety Foundation’s Working at Heights program is WAH-56792.
2. Delivered by a CPO-approved training provider. The provider must have been approved at the time the training was completed.
3. Completed before the worker uses fall protection on a construction project.

What does the full course cover?

The full Working at Heights program has two modules: a theory module and a hands-on practical module. At SF Safety Foundation, both modules are completed in one 6.5-hour day and cover:

• Ontario health and safety legislation and fall protection regulations
• recognizing fall hazards
• the hierarchy of controls and safe work strategies
• warning methods, physical barriers, safety nets and anchor points
• how to inspect, fit and use harnesses and lanyards
• safe work practices for ladders, scaffolds and elevating work platforms
• emergency preparedness, rescue plans and responding to a fallen worker

No previous experience is needed. Bring valid government-issued photo ID, a hard hat, safety boots and safety glasses.

How long is Working at Heights training valid?

Working at Heights training is valid for three years from the date you successfully complete an approved program. If you change employers, you do not need to repeat it while your training is still valid.

How do I renew it?

To renew, take a Working at Heights Refresher course from a CPO-approved provider. The refresher is a shorter, practical review of fall protection equipment and systems. Completing it makes your training valid for another three years.

To be eligible for the refresher, you must have previously completed both modules of an approved Working at Heights program. If you are not sure, use the ministry’s refresher eligibility checker.

What if my training has already expired? You cannot use fall protection on a construction project until you renew. Eligibility for the refresher depends on having completed both modules of the full program, not on your card still being current, so an expired card does not automatically mean you need the full course again. Check the eligibility tool to confirm. To avoid any gap in your work, book your refresher a few weeks before your three-year date.

How do employers verify training?

Employers must make sure every worker who uses fall protection has valid training. There are three ways to check training completed in Ontario:

1. Accept a proof of completion record issued by the CPO or by a CPO-approved training provider.
2. With the worker’s consent, view the worker’s record through a free employer account in the ministry’s certification management system.
3. With the worker’s consent, contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (1-877-202-0008 or WAH.Inquiryline@Ontario.ca).

Employers must keep a training record for each worker: either a copy of the proof of completion, or a record showing the worker’s name, the approved provider’s name, the program name and the completion date. The record must be shown to a ministry inspector on request.

What if I lose my certificate?

You can download a digital copy of your proof of completion by creating a free worker account in the ministry’s certification management system. You will need the address you gave when you registered for training, your year of birth, and an email address and phone number. You can share or print the digital record.

Working at Heights training in Concord, Vaughan and the GTA

SF Safety Foundation Ltd offers CPO-approved Working at Heights training (program WAH-56792), delivered in partnership with IHSA, at our training centre at 12 Bradwick Dr, Unit 7, Concord, Vaughan, Ontario.

• Full course: 6.5 hours, $145 per person
• Refresher course: half-day, $125 per person
• Courses in Russian: full course $145; refresher $125
• On-site training: for groups of 10 or more, we can train your crew at your job site anywhere in the GTA

View dates and register for Working at Heights · Call 647-534-0619 · info@safetyfoundation.ca

Frequently asked questions

Is Working at Heights training mandatory in Ontario? Yes, for workers on construction projects who are required to use fall protection such as a harness, safety net or travel restraint. It does not apply to workplaces outside the Construction Projects regulation.

How long is Working at Heights valid in Ontario? Three years from the date of successful completion.

Can I take the refresher instead of the full course? Only if you have previously completed both modules of an approved Working at Heights program. Use the ministry’s eligibility checker to confirm.

My card has expired. Do I need the full course again? Not necessarily. If you completed both modules of an approved program before, you may still be eligible for the refresher. Until you renew, you cannot use fall protection on a construction project.

Do I need to retake the training if I change jobs? No. Valid training moves with you to a new employer. Your new employer must still train you on the specific equipment used on their sites.

How do I know a provider is legitimate? Check the ministry’s CPO-approved courses Marketplace. Approved programs have an ID that starts with WAH (ours is WAH-56792).

Is the course available in Russian? Yes. SF Safety Foundation runs Working at Heights and Refresher courses in Russian on a regular schedule.

Last updated: October 2026

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