Lessons from the recent OHS Canada report on a Toronto fatality

OHS Canada recently reported on a tragic incident involving KAS Aluminum & Copper Ltd., a Toronto contractor fined $80,000 after a worker was fatally injured during a residential renovation project. According to the report, the worker was standing on a veranda roof “approximately 3.6 metres above ground level” and fell backwards from a ladder while handing a tool to the supervisor.

The Ministry of Labour’s investigation identified two major failures:

• The worker had not completed mandatory Working at Heights training
• Fall protection was not used, even though the equipment was available in the company truck

This incident shows how quickly a routine task can turn into a fatal one when training and fall protection aren’t applied consistently. Most incidents do not occur during complex work — they happen during simple hand-offs, quick jobs or minor adjustments.

Practical Training Builds Real Instinct — Not Just Awareness

A regulation alone doesn’t protect workers. Practical expertise does.

The most preventable incidents often occur when workers lack hands-on training using real equipment in realistic environments. Practical Working at Heights and fall protection training ensures that workers can:

• Set up ladders safely
• Select and secure anchor points
• Inspect and adjust harnesses
• Move safely on roofs and sloped surfaces
• Recognise hazards before climbing

Workers don’t need more paperwork. They need practical muscle memory that helps them act safely when it matters.

Supervisors Must Be Trained Too

The investigation also found that the supervisor was not wearing fall protection. This is a common problem in small crews: when leadership cuts corners, the rest of the team usually follows.

Proper training — especially for supervisors — helps ensure they can:

• Enforce PPE use on site
• Set up safe access points
• Identify hazards before work begins
• Correct bad habits early
• Lead by example

A trained supervisor makes the biggest difference on any job site.

Having Equipment Isn’t Enough — Confidence Drives Compliance

In many incidents, fall-protection equipment is available but left unused. This often happens because workers:

• Aren’t confident using the equipment
• Haven’t practised anchoring or harness setup
• Believe PPE slows down productivity
• Feel pressure to “just get it done”

Training is what changes this. When workers practice with real gear and real scenarios, they’re more likely to use it consistently — even during quick tasks.

MCL Height Safety’s Role in Training Across Canada

MCL does not directly conduct Ontario’s CPO-approved Working at Heights certification.
However, Ontario workers can access accredited training through our trusted partner:

Safety Guys Training

CPO-approved | Meets Ontario Regulation 213/91
Website: https://www.safetyguystraining.com/

MCL can help coordinate scheduling for groups or companies that need certified Working at Heights training in Ontario. Certification is issued directly through Safety Guys Training as the accredited provider.

Outside Ontario, MCL provides hands-on training for:

• Advanced fall protection
• Rope access training (IRATA)
• High-angle rescue
• Technical safety and equipment use

Across all programs, our focus remains the same:
Practical competence — not theoretical awareness.

Workers need real skills they can rely on when the conditions change, surfaces shift or something unexpected happens.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Working at Heights training mandatory in Ontario?

Yes. Anyone working at height on construction sites in Ontario must complete a CPO-approved Working at Heights course and renew it every three years.

2. Does MCL offer Ontario-approved Working at Heights training?

MCL does not certify this course directly. We facilitate access to accredited Working at Heights training through our approved partner — Safety Guys Training, who are authorized under the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) of Ontario.

3. How often should fall protection training be refreshed?

Most employers require fall protection refreshers every 2–3 years or sooner if the worker changes roles, equipment or work environments. A refresher is strongly recommended after a near-miss or safety incident.

4. Can a fall from only three metres cause serious injury?

Yes. Many fatal and life-altering injuries occur between two and three metres. Ladder work and residential roofing are responsible for most of these incidents.

5. Does having fall protection on site meet legal requirements?

No. The law requires proper use, not just availability. Workers must be trained, competent and consistently wearing their PPE.

6. What’s the difference between Working at Heights training and fall protection training?

• Working at Heights (Ontario): A regulated, mandatory course for Ontario construction sites.
• Fall protection training (Canada-wide): Covers harness use, anchors, equipment inspection and rescue basics. Content varies by industry and province.

7. Do supervisors require training too?

Yes. Supervisors must be trained and competent to enforce safety policies, identify hazards and correct unsafe practices. Their behavior influences the entire crew.

8. What’s the key element that makes training effective?

The practical component. Workers must physically practise ladder setup, anchor selection and harness use. Real safety is built through repetition.

9. What role can employers play in preventing incidents like the one reported by OHS Canada?

• Require valid training upfront
• Select practical, not theory-only courses
• Train supervisors to lead by example
• Provide time for safe setup
• Refuse to treat fall protection as optional

Final Thought

This incident from OHS Canada is a reminder that safety doesn’t fail at the moment of a fall — it fails much earlier, when training and supervision are overlooked.

A routine ladder climb should never end in a fatal injury.
Practical training is what ensures it doesn’t.