Working at Heights Refresher Training & Renewal Ontario

Working at Heights Renewal Checklist (Ontario)

To remain compliant, employers should confirm the following:

• Certification was completed through a CPO-approved provider
• The three-year validity period has not expired
• Refresher training is scheduled before expiry
• Workers with expired certification are removed from work at height
• Updated certificates are accessible during inspections
• Training records are maintained and monitored

Failure to meet any of the above may result in non-compliance.

When Is Working at Heights Refresher Training Required?

Refresher training is required:

• Before the three-year certification expiry date
• When certification has expired
• When an employer requires updated compliance verification

There is no grace period after expiry. If the certificate expires, the worker must not perform work at height until refresher training is completed.

Under Ontario construction regulations, employers are responsible for tracking expiry dates and ensuring workers maintain valid certification.

What Does the Working at Heights Refresher Course Include?

The Working at Heights refresher course is shorter than the initial training but remains structured and mandatory.

The refresher program typically includes:

• Review of Ontario construction fall protection requirements
• Reinforcement of hazard recognition and risk assessment
• Review of employer, supervisor, and worker responsibilities
• Practical re-evaluation of fall protection equipment use
• Confirmation of safe work practices

The refresher ensures that workers maintain competency and remain aligned with current regulatory expectations.

Completion results in renewed certification valid for another three years.

What Happens If Working at Heights Certification Is Not Renewed?

If refresher training is not completed before expiry:

• Certification becomes invalid
• The worker must stop performing work at height
• The employer must remove the worker from elevated tasks
• Project scheduling may be disrupted

Expired certification is treated as non-compliant during inspections.

There is no partial validity once the three-year period has passed.

Can You Work While Waiting for Refresher Training?

No. Workers cannot legally perform work at height on construction projects once certification has expired.

Even if refresher training is scheduled:

• Work must not continue until training is completed
• Proof of updated certification must be available
• Employers remain responsible for compliance

Continuing work with expired certification increases enforcement risk.

Employer Risks of Failing to Renew Working at Heights Training

Allowing expired certification creates multiple risks:

• Stop-work orders during inspections
• Project delays
• Financial penalties
• Increased liability following an incident
• Difficulty demonstrating due diligence

Inspectors from the Ontario Ministry of Labour commonly verify expiry dates during site visits.

Renewal is not optional. It is part of ongoing compliance management.

When Should Employers Schedule Refresher Training?

Best practice is to schedule refresher training:

• Several weeks before the expiry date
• During slower project periods
• As part of annual safety planning

Waiting until the certificate has expired increases operational disruption and inspection risk.

Tracking expiry dates should be part of every employer’s safety program.

Renew Your Certification Through a CPO-Approved Working at Heights Refresher Course

To remain compliant, refresher training must be completed through a CPO-approved provider.

If your certification is approaching expiry, enroll in a working at heights refresher course before the three-year deadline to avoid disruption.

Refresher training protects both worker authorization and employer compliance.