CSA Z1001 provides consistent OHS training for employers, workers
A new standard to provide consistent, quality occupational health and safety training for workers, managers and supervisors is being launched by CSA Group in Canada. The standard also provides direction for health and safety committees and representatives.
While the value and importance of safety training is well-recognized in Canada, until now there were no general standards on this subject in Canada. The new standard, Z1001 — Occupational Health and Safety Training, will help organizations invest their training resources appropriately and effectively, according to CSA Group.
This first edition of CSA Z1001 specifies requirements for management and administration of occupational health and safety (OHS) training, identification of OHS training needs and outlines the development, implementation, and maintenance of an OHS training program and its courses. It also specifies how to select training providers with the appropriate qualifications and the requirements for the design and delivery of OHS training courses.
Informative annexes provide guidance on how to implement the requirements of the standard, including topics to be covered in training for health and safety representatives and committee members, managers, supervisors and new workers. Samples of a training matrix, course evaluation form and training assessment survey are also included that can be customized for the user’s specific needs.
The standard is designed to integrate with existing OHS management system elements and use of the standard can assist organizations with labour mobility by helping to ensure that the quality of their OHS training is consistent across different jurisdictions in Canada. Decision-makers will be able to use this standard to evaluate OHS training services and products for their workers and to assist with the selection and evaluation of training providers, CSA Group says.
CSA Z1001 will also guide organizations and OHS professionals in auditing their own training and qualifications for conformance with a nationally-recognized standard. Training providers will be able to demonstrate conformance with requirements in the Standard, which are based on best-practices to ensure effective outcomes.
CSA Group used the ANSI Z490-1 Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health, and Environmental Training standard as the foundation document for the preparation of CSA Z1001, with the permission of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
CSA Group is a not-for-profit organization developing standards in a number of areas, including occupational health and safety. It is comprised of representatives from industry, government, and consumer groups.
