Training

All new employees must receive a Safety Orientation training session prior to the commencement of work. Under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, safety training is clearly designated as the responsibility of the employer. Safety orientation training consists of generic training applicable to all employees and workplace-specific training which focuses on the hazards and control measures in a particular job.

As a service to the University community, Environmental Health and Safety provides safety oreintation and refresher seminars on a variety of topics. These “generic” safety seminars offered by EHS cannot cover workplace specific orientation details.

Supervisors are responsible for delivering “workplace-specific” safety training which is pertinent to the department and will build on the introductory training EHS provides, demonstrating application in their workplace. Workplace-specific training includes training for the safe use of hazardous materials (workplace-specific WHMIS), use of specialized equipment, departmental procedures and use of required personal protective equipment.   Training materials can be viewed at our Portal page on the EHS website http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/portal/videodvd-catalog.

All such training must be documented in writing and the records kept in the department.