# What working at heights training does a roofer need in Ontario? Updated 2026-10-03. An approved working at heights program, completed in the last three years. Under O. Reg. 297/13, a worker on a construction project who may use a travel restraint system, fall restricting system, fall arrest system, safety net, work belt or safety belt must first complete a program approved by Ontario's Chief Prevention Officer, delivered by an approved provider. The training is valid for three years. ## When the rule applies The training rule follows the fall protection rules in O. Reg. 213/91, Construction Projects. Section 26 applies them where a worker may fall more than 3 metres, fall more than 1.2 metres where the work area is a path for a wheelbarrow or similar equipment, or fall into operating machinery, water, a hazardous substance or through an opening. Section 26.1 then requires a guardrail, or where that is not practicable, the highest ranked method that is: travel restraint, fall restricting, fall arrest or a safety net. The Occupational Health and Safety Act defines construction to include repair, alteration and structural maintenance. Ontario's training page says workers whose workplaces are not covered by O. Reg. 213/91 do not have to complete the approved training. ## Three years, then a refresher Training is valid for three years from the date it was completed. After that, the worker completes an approved refresher, which keeps it valid for another three years. ## The card is not the whole requirement O. Reg. 213/91 also requires the employer to train each worker in the specific fall protection system they will use, with oral and written instructions from a competent person, and to keep a signed record. Before a fall arrest system or safety net is used, the employer needs written procedures for rescuing a worker whose fall has been arrested. ## Checking the training Ontario warns of fraudulent providers who take a fee and issue cards without giving valid training. It lists three ways to check training done in Ontario: - Accept a proof of completion issued by the Chief Prevention Officer or by an approved provider. - With the worker's consent, look them up in the ministry's certification management system. - With the worker's consent, contact the ministry to confirm the training is valid. Check that the provider was approved at the time the worker was trained. The employer keeps a record of each worker's training, with the worker's name, the provider, the program and the completion date, and shows it to an inspector on request. ## How Roundhouse handles it Every roofer Roundhouse books holds working at heights training, and each one's WSIB clearance is checked before booking and before every payment. See [roof repairs for Toronto rentals](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/roofing/), [WSIB clearances](https://roundhousegroup.ca/answers/wsib-clearance-certificate-property-manager/) or [request work](https://roundhousegroup.ca/request-work/). ## Related pages - [Roofing](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/roofing/) - [Exterior and grounds](https://roundhousegroup.ca/services/exterior/) - [What is a WSIB clearance certificate, and why does a property manager need one?](https://roundhousegroup.ca/answers/wsib-clearance-certificate-property-manager/) ## Questions ### How long is working at heights training valid in Ontario? Three years from the date the approved program was completed. After that, the worker completes an approved refresher program, which keeps the training valid for another three years. ### Is the working at heights card enough on its own? No. O. Reg. 213/91 also requires the employer to train each worker in the fall protection system they will use, with oral and written instructions from a competent person, and to keep a signed record of it. ### How can I check a roofer's working at heights training? Ontario lists three ways. Accept a proof of completion issued by the Chief Prevention Officer or an approved provider, look the worker up in the ministry's certification management system with their consent, or contact the ministry with their consent. ### Does fall protection training from another province count? Only from Newfoundland and Labrador. Ontario accepts fall protection training approved by WorkplaceNL, with a WorkplaceNL certificate, valid until the date shown on that certificate rather than for three years, plus basic health and safety awareness training and site specific fall protection training. ## Sources - [O. Reg. 297/13, Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training, sections 6 to 10](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/130297) - [O. Reg. 213/91, Construction Projects, sections 26, 26.1 and 26.2](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/910213) - [Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, section 1](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90o01) - [Ontario, training for working at heights](https://www.ontario.ca/page/training-working-heights) We only use ECRA/ESA-Licensed Electrical Contractors.