Use this needs assessment to build a role-by-role training matrix that separates the training the law requires from competency and discretionary training. The Ontario examples on the page show the difference: working at heights (O. Reg. 297/13, ss. 6–8, valid 3 years), worker OHS awareness (O. Reg. 297/13, s. 1) and WHMIS worker education, reviewed at least annually (Reg. 860, s. 7; OHSA s. 42(3)). Employers deciding what training their people need end up with a matrix to budget from and hand to an auditor.
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List every role, then the hazardous tasks it performs. Training follows tasks, not job titles — a supervisor who occasionally operates a forklift needs the forklift training.
| Role / job title | Headcount | Hazardous tasks performed | Equipment operated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucket | What belongs here | How it is prioritised |
|---|---|---|
| A — Legally required | Training a regulation names explicitly for this work in your jurisdiction, with a defined validity period. | Not negotiable. Expiry dates set the schedule. |
| B — Competency required | Training needed to do the task safely, where the regulation requires competence but does not name a course. | Ranked by the risk of the task it covers. |
| C — Discretionary | Training that improves capability or culture but is not required to work safely today. | Competes on value. Cut first when budget is tight. |
One row per training requirement. Mark each role R (required), D (desirable) or – (not applicable). The first three rows are Ontario examples; replace them with the requirements that apply to you. Sources: O. Reg. 297/13, Reg. 860, OHSA.
| Training | Bucket (A/B/C) | Regulation or basis | Validity period | Roles requiring it | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working at heights (Ontario construction) | A | O. Reg. 297/13, ss. 6–8 | 3 years from completion | ||
| Worker OHS awareness (Ontario) | A | O. Reg. 297/13, s. 1 | Once; no renewal period | ||
| WHMIS worker education (Ontario) | A | Reg. 860, s. 7; OHSA s. 42(3) | No fixed period; review at least annually | ||
| Training | Required (n) | Current (n) | Expiring in 90 days | Gap (n) | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Works well for | Weak for |
|---|---|---|
| Online / self-paced | Knowledge, awareness, regulatory content, refreshers, distributed workforces. | Anything needing hands-on skill or observed competency. |
| Instructor-led classroom | Discussion, judgement, scenario work, questions specific to your site. | Scheduling across shifts; cost per head. |
| Practical / hands-on | Equipment operation, rescue, fit testing, anything with a physical skill. | Knowledge-heavy content; scaling. |
| On-the-job coaching | Site-specific application and reinforcement. | Consistency, and proving what was covered. |
| Toolbox talk | Short reinforcement, current hazards, post-incident learning. | Standing in for real training. It does not. |
| Requirement | What good looks like | Y / N / N-A | Evidence or gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge checked | Assessment at the end of training, with a pass standard. | ||
| Skill observed | For practical training, competency observed and signed off by a qualified assessor. | ||
| Applied on the job | Supervisor confirms the behaviour on the floor after training. | ||
| Records complete | Worker name, content, date, trainer, expiry — retrievable on request. | ||
| Refresher tracked | Expiry dates monitored with advance notice, not discovered at audit. | ||
| Effectiveness reviewed | Incident and observation data reviewed for whether the training changed anything. |
| Priority | Training | Who | Method | Target date | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Our consultants (CRSP Certified · COR & ISO 45001 Lead Auditors) can adapt this to your workplace or review your safety program with you.
This resource is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm every requirement against the current regulation in your jurisdiction before relying on it.