Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Study Suggests Mandatory WAH Training Is Effective

Ontario’s working at heights training program is preventing worker injuries and deaths—and saving millions in health, lost productivity, compensation, and other costs—according to a new study by the Institute for Work and Health (IWH). The study asked two questions: has WAH training reached its intended audience, and what impact has the introduction of WAH training requirements had on fall prevention on construction projects?

They found that the program had reached its audience and had been effective.

WAH training by the numbers

93% of employers were compliant in ensuring their employees were trained.
550,000+ Ontario workers, mostly in construction, have completed WAH training.
20% of learners are in non-construction sectors.
87% of learners feel more confident after taking the training.
89% of learners feel more safe after taking the training.

Lost-time injury (LTI) claimes decreased by 19.6% in the construction sector between 2012-2014 and 2015-2017, which means

111 falls from heights claims were prevented;
$4.995 million in claims costs were saved; and
$27–$36 million in costs for employers, both direct and indirect, were saved.
The reduction in LTI claims was greatest among the smallest employers (less than five full-time employees) and among the six rate groups with the highest rates of LTI claims.

Looking ahead

The study provided recommendations to improve the program, including more hands-on training and more information on ladder usage. The Ministry of Labour will use the research in their five-year review of WAH training standards.

Study Suggests Mandatory WAH Training Is Effective

You might be interested in