Using the SAFE Work Manitoba Training Portal 

Workplace safety and health committee members are an essential part of the internal responsibility system and are pivotal to safety and health in the workplace. Committee members must be appropriately trained in order to competently fulfil their duties. 

Last year, SAFE Work Manitoba launched the SAFE Work Manitoba Training Portal. This online marketplace offers safety training in Manitoba under two categories: SAFE Work Endorsed Training and General Training. 

SAFE Work Endorsed Training includes courses that were assessed and deemed to have met a SAFE Work Endorsed Training standard. General Training consists of courses that are delivered by a trusted training provider, but deal with a topic for which a standard has not been developed. 

The Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act dictates that, each year, an employer must allow every member of the committee (or worker representative) to attend 16 hours of workplace safety and health training programs, seminars or courses (or the number of hours normally worked during two shifts – whichever is greater). 

SAFE Work Manitoba’s Training Portal is an effective way for committee co-chairs and members to ensure they are meeting their legislated safety and health training requirements. It guarantees that members are taking consistent high-quality training.

Questions that could be used to spark discussion: 

Where can committees access and browse this training? 

Committee members can browse SAFE Work Endorsed Training and General Training through the SAFE Work Manitoba Training Portal, supported by SkillsPass. Here, committee members or their employers can create an account and sign up for upcoming training sessions. Creating an account also keeps a record of training certificates from multiple providers in one place, allowing users to access and share their certificates of completion at any time. 

Why is it important for committees to be trained? 

Diligent employers take the lead in helping the committee or worker representative function effectively. Properly trained committee members demonstrate an employer’s commitment to workplace safety and health, and provide guidance to workers and employers on safety and health matters. 

The legislation also indicates that committee members be provided with time off from their regular duties at the workplace to complete committee work. Specifically, Section 40(11) of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSH Act) indicates: 

A member of a committee is entitled to take the following time off from his or her regular duties:

1. One hour or such longer period of time as the committee determines is necessary to prepare for each committee meeting; 
2. The time required to attend each meeting of the committee; 
3. The time required to attend workplace safety and health training in accordance with section 44, as approved by the committee and the employer; 
4. Such time as the committee determines is necessary to carry out his or her duties as a committee member under this Act and the regulations. 

Are employers responsible for paying committee members when attending safety and health training? 

The employer must ensure committee members and worker representatives are trained to competently fulfil their duties as members of the committee or as a representative. 

Competent training includes knowledge of safety and health rights, roles and responsibilities, as well as knowledge of the tasks that may be required of a safety and health committee member or worker representative. 

During training, the employer must ensure committee members (or worker representatives) are paid at the regular rate of pay for the greater of the course hours or the number of hours the worker normally works during two shifts. 

Before educational decisions are made, each member’s individual needs should be assessed. Typically, an employer would do this with input from the committee and develop a plan for each member’s annual educational leave. 

Failure to pay wages or benefits to a worker performing the duties of the safety and health committee member or representative is considered a reprisal and is illegal under the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSH Act).

Where can I get additional committee resources? 

In addition to the training portal, committee members can check out the SAFE Work Manitoba Safety and Health Committee and Representatives Toolkit. 

Committee members and representatives can also find a listing of training opportunities and additional resources from their industry-based safety program (IBSP). 

If you are unsure of which IBSP a workplace belongs to, contact SAFE Work Manitoba at 204-957-SAFE for assistance. 

Top tips 

• Committees can register and access consistent, high-quality endorsed training or general training through the SAFE Work Manitoba Training Portal. This includes the Workplace Safety and Health Committee and Worker Safety and Health Representative endorsed training course. 
• Committee training is required to ensure that members are able to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of their role. 
• Committee members are a vital part of the internal responsibility system. 
• Committee members are allotted time for training to ensure they are fully prepared for their role.