Employee Training? What's my responsibility?

[Anonymity]

Employee Training? What\'s my responsibility?

Hi There,

I was wondering what sort of level of training I would have to provide or require my ground crew to have, if they use a chainsaw and a chipper? Can I train them? Or do I need some sort of trainer status? If I can't train them myself, where could I find a trainer? Remember I’m in Ontario, Canada so someone in Florida won't help. And I am aware of Arboriculture Canada Training & Education LTD located in Alberta I believe, but they only train in Ontario at certain times...Appreciate any help

Ken

 

[treehumper]

Re: Employee Training? What\'s my responsibility?

While you can train them yourself, it may be better to have them receive chainsaw safety training certification. I believe it's available through Humber College. No such thing for chippers.

 

[actree]

Re: Employee Training? What\'s my responsibility?

Have you crew read "How to become a excellent groundsman" in the article section. There are videos you can watch too.
Tim Ard offers training and he travels everywhere.

 

[nuthin_special]

Re: Employee Training? What\'s my responsibility?

In Ontario you have to provide training on every aspect of arboriculture and document it.

Well, no one is going to out of the blue ask for your records but if you have a serious workplace injury, you can be sure that the MOL is going to ask for documentation of qualifications. For example if your ground man get's severely injured from a fallen branch you should be able to show that you have trained them how to avoid fallen branches.

To provide the training you have to be able to show that you, by training and experience, are a reasonably skilled tradesperson.

In Ontario the best way to do all of this is by becoming a journeyman arborist through the ministry of training colleges and universities and then having your grounds people be apprentices. That is when training during the winter at Humber College can kick in.

Join the Ontario Commercial Arborist's Association. There are some great learning opportunities there.

Vince

 

[Anonymity]

Re: Employee Training? What\'s my responsibility?

Thanks for the input guys...it is appriciated.

Ken

 

[AspenArbo]

Re: Employee Training? What\'s my responsibility?

Call up the Arbor Canada office. There are instructors all over Canada and a know of at least 4 that live in Ontario. They will help answer your questions and get you on the path you need. You may even be able to have a course set-up in your town/area and have other arborists attend.
Nuthin-Special is right, its all about documentation and that you can show that you are making an honest effort towards safety.