What is Working at Heights?
The Working at Heights (WAH) training program is a mandatory safety certification for construction workers in Ontario who work at elevations where there is a risk of falling. Developed under the oversight of the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA), this certification ensures workers understand fall hazards, proper use of fall protection equipment, and emergency rescue procedures. Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act requires all construction workers who may use fall protection methods to complete an approved Working at Heights training program.
Any worker on an Ontario construction project who may use a method of fall protection — including guardrails, safety nets, travel restraint systems, fall restricting systems, fall arrest systems, or safety belts — must complete this training. This includes roofers, scaffolders, ironworkers, general labourers, and supervisors working at heights.
Why Expiration Tracking Matters
Working at Heights certificates expire every 3 years from the date of training. An expired certificate means a worker cannot legally work at heights on Ontario construction sites. Site supervisors who allow workers with expired WAH training risk significant fines from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). Penalties can reach up to $100,000 for individuals and $1,500,000 for corporations per offence. Beyond fines, an expired certificate means a worker may be turned away at the gate, losing a day's wages and delaying the project.
Provincial Requirements & Regulations
In Ontario, Working at Heights training is governed by Ontario Regulation 297/13 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The training must be delivered by a Chief Prevention Officer (CPO)-approved training provider. Workers must complete both the classroom theory and hands-on practical components. The Ministry of Labour maintains a registry of approved training providers. Other provinces have their own fall protection training requirements — for example, Alberta requires fall protection training under the OHS Code Part 9, and British Columbia mandates it under WorkSafeBC regulations — but Ontario's WAH program is the most standardized with its approval and registry system.
Renewal Process
To renew, workers must complete a refresher training program through a CPO-approved provider before the 3-year expiry date. The refresher course is typically shorter than the initial training (usually one day vs. half a day for refresher). Workers should book their renewal at least 30 days before expiry to avoid gaps in certification. After completing the refresher, the training provider issues a new certificate with a new 3-year expiry date.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until the certificate has already expired to book renewal training — refresher spots fill up quickly
- Assuming a fall protection course from another province automatically satisfies Ontario's CPO-approved requirement
- Losing the physical certificate and not having a backup — WorkSitePass solves this by storing a digital copy
- Not checking if the training provider is CPO-approved — unapproved courses are not valid in Ontario
How WorkSitePass Helps You Manage Working at Heights
WorkSitePass lets you upload your Working at Heights certificate, track the 3-year expiry date, and receive automated alerts at 90 days, 30 days, and 7 days before expiration. When a site supervisor asks for proof, you pull up your digital wallet instead of digging through a glove box. Your certificate is always accessible, organized, and up to date.
Issuing Authority
IHSA
www.ihsa.caContact
info@ihsa.caPhone
1-800-263-5024Frequently Asked Questions
A Working at Heights certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of successful completion. Workers must complete a refresher course before the expiry date to maintain certification.
No. Ontario law requires all construction workers who use fall protection methods to hold a valid Working at Heights certificate. Working with an expired certificate puts both the worker and employer at risk of significant fines from the Ministry of Labour.
Not automatically. Ontario requires training from a Chief Prevention Officer (CPO)-approved provider. Fall protection training from other provinces may not meet Ontario's specific requirements. Check with IHSA or the Ministry of Labour for equivalency.
WorkSitePass stores a digital copy of your certificate, tracks the 3-year expiry date, and sends you automated alerts at 90, 30, and 7 days before expiration — so you never show up to a site with an expired cert.
Start Tracking Your Working at Heights Certificate Today
Upload your certificate, set the expiry date, and let WorkSitePass handle the rest. Never miss a renewal deadline again.