Workplace Safety Training FAQ

Straight answers to the questions Manitoba employers ask us most about workplace safety training, certification and Manitoba requirements. Have a question that is not here? Call 204-415-7451 or email info@provincewidesafetytraining.ca.

Is forklift training required in Manitoba?

Yes. Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (M.R. 217/2006, Part 22, Powered Mobile Equipment) requires employers to make sure anyone operating a forklift or other powered mobile equipment has been trained and is competent to operate it safely. PWST delivers forklift operator training at your site, on your own equipment.

How long is forklift certification valid?

PWST forklift and equipment operator certificates are valid for 3 years. Operators may need refresher training sooner, for example after an incident or near miss, when they move to a different type of equipment, or when an evaluation shows unsafe operation.

Is online-only forklift training valid in Manitoba?

The classroom theory can be done online, but an operator also has to be trained and evaluated hands-on, on the type of equipment they will actually use at work. That is why PWST comes to your site and trains on your own forklifts. If you already have trained operators, a forklift practical evaluation can confirm their skills.

How long does forklift training take?

Most forklift operator courses take about one day, depending on group size, the equipment involved and the experience of your operators. We schedule around your shifts, including evenings, nights and weekends.

How often do workers need WHMIS training?

Workers must receive WHMIS training before they work with or near hazardous products, and again when new products or hazards are introduced. Employers are also expected to review their WHMIS training program regularly; many safety authorities recommend at least once a year. The PWST WHMIS certificate is valid for 1 year, which keeps your records current.

When is fall protection required in Manitoba?

Under Part 14 of Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, fall protection is required where a worker could fall 3 metres or more, and also at lower heights where a fall could mean landing on something hazardous, into operating machinery, water or another liquid, or through an opening in a work surface. PWST offers Fall Protection and Basic Fall Arrest training, both valid for 3 years.

Do workers need training to use a scissor lift or boom lift?

Yes. Scissor lifts and boom lifts are elevating work platforms, and operators must be trained and competent on the equipment they use, including inspection, safe operation and fall protection. See our scissor and aerial lift training.

Is confined space training required?

Manitoba’s regulation (Part 15, Confined Spaces) requires employers to identify confined spaces and make sure workers who enter or work near them are trained on the hazards and safe work procedures. PWST offers Confined Space Awareness training.

What is the difference between operator training and Train the Trainer?

Operator training certifies your workers to run the equipment. Train the Trainer prepares someone on your team to deliver and evaluate that training in-house, so you can train new hires yourself between PWST visits.

What is novice operator training?

Novice operator training is for workers with little or no time on the equipment. It adds more hands-on practice so new operators build skill and confidence before they are evaluated.

Do you train at our workplace, on our equipment?

Yes. PWST comes to you anywhere in Manitoba, including Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach and Thompson, as well as Kenora and Northwestern Ontario and Eastern Saskatchewan. Nunavut and the NWT are available by arrangement. Training on your own equipment, in your own work area, is the most realistic training your workers can get.

What certificate do workers receive?

Each trainee who successfully completes a course receives a digital diploma and a wallet-size certificate. Validity depends on the course: 3 years for equipment, Fall Protection, Basic Fall Arrest and Scaffold; 1 year for WHMIS; and no expiry for Confined Space, Ladder Safety, Employer Roles and Responsibilities, Safety Committee and Train the Trainer.

How do I book training or get a quote?

Call 204-415-7451 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm), email info@provincewidesafetytraining.ca, or fill out our quote request form with your course, number of workers, location and preferred dates. We reply within one business day. Group rates are available.

This page is general information, not legal advice. For the exact wording of Manitoba’s requirements, see the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (M.R. 217/2006) or contact Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health, the provincial branch (Manitoba Labour and Immigration) that administers and enforces it. SAFE Work Manitoba, the injury prevention division of the WCB, also publishes free guides and resources.