Canadian legislative requirements for safety training and competency programs mandate that employers provide adequate training and ensure workers are competent to perform their duties safely. Competency is generally defined as having the knowledge, training, and experience to perform a specific duty safely and without supervision, or with minimal supervision. This includes understanding hazards, risks, and applicable laws and regulations. [1] [2] [1]

Several jurisdictions define 'competent' in their occupational health and safety legislation:

• Alberta: Adequately qualified, suitably trained, and with sufficient experience to safely perform work without supervision or with minimal supervision.
• Saskatchewan: Possessing knowledge, experience, and training to perform a specific duty; a competent worker includes one being trained under close supervision.
• Manitoba: Possessing knowledge, experience, and training to perform a specific duty.
• Ontario: Qualified because of knowledge, training, and experience to organize work, familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations, and knowledgeable about potential dangers.
• New Brunswick: Qualified due to knowledge, training, and experience to ensure health and safety, knowledgeable about the Act and regulations, and aware of potential dangers.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Qualified through knowledge, training, and experience to ensure workplace health and safety, and knowledgeable about the Act, regulations, and potential dangers.
• Northwest Territories & Nunavut: Possessing the knowledge, experience, and training to perform the function, task, or duty.
• Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island: Qualified through knowledge, training, and experience to ensure workplace health and safety, and knowledgeable about the Act, regulations, and potential dangers.
• Yukon: A qualified person has education, experience, and training in the recognition, evaluation, and control of hazards.
• Federal (Canada Labour Code): Qualified to perform a specified duty safely and properly due to knowledge, training, and experience.

[2] [2] [2] [2] [2] [3] [3] [3] [3] [3] Key aspects of Canadian safety training and competency programs include:

• Training Content: Training must cover applicable legislation, regulations, and the means for committee members and representatives to fulfill their responsibilities. It should also cover the rules of each committee and the principles of consensus building regarding health and safety issues.
• Training Program Review: Health and safety training programs must be reviewed and updated at least once every three years, and whenever circumstances change that may affect the training content.
• Employer Responsibilities: Employers must ensure that members of joint health and safety committees or health and safety representatives are trained in their roles, responsibilities, the obligations of work site parties, and the rights of workers.
• Due Diligence: Employers must have written health and safety policies, practices, and procedures, provide appropriate training and education, educate and train supervisors, monitor the workplace, and have an incident investigation program in place. Documentation of these activities is crucial.
• WHMIS Training: In workplaces where hazardous products are present, employers must have a WHMIS program that includes worker education and training on the hazards and safe handling of these products. Training should cover information on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), safe use, handling, disposal procedures, and emergency procedures.
• TDG Training: People who import, offer for transport, handle, or transport dangerous goods need to be trained according to the requirements found in Part 6 of the TDG Regulations or operate under the direct supervision and be physically accompanied by a trained person with a valid training certificate.

[4] [4] [4] [4] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [8] [8] [7] It is important to maintain records of training, inspections, and corrective actions to demonstrate due diligence and compliance with safety regulations. [6]