Construction Site & Field Safety Training

Every worker on a construction site needs training for the hazards they face. Workers who direct traffic need training for that job too.

• Alberta: employers must make sure workers are adequately trained to do their work safely. A worker designated to control traffic wears high-visibility apparel that identifies them, and uses a handheld signal light in the dark or poor visibility.
• British Columbia: new workers get a health and safety orientation before they start, covering site rules, hazards, PPE and emergency procedures.
• Ontario construction projects (O. Reg. 213/91): a traffic control person must be a competent worker with written and oral instructions, including the signals to use. They may not direct traffic for more than one lane in the same direction, or where the posted limit is over 90 km/h.

Construction Safety Orientation is a 20-minute overview of job hazards, tools and equipment, fall protection, and excavations and confined spaces. Traffic Control Persons for Construction teaches STOP/SLOW signs and hand signals, job preparation and the placement of traffic control systems. Traffic Control for 2025 and Beyond is a Canadian-focused course that adds traffic control plans, sign types and trailering.

• New construction worker: Construction Safety Orientation, about 20 minutes. Add WHMIS 2025 if you work with hazardous products.
• Flagger in Alberta: Traffic Control Persons for Construction (Flagger), about 60 minutes. The course description says it is valid in Alberta.
• Traffic control in Ontario: Traffic Control MTO Book 7 - 2022 Edition, about 4 hours, with a 3-year certificate.
• Crew member, surveyor or equipment operator working next to traffic: RSTS - Working Safely Around Traffic, about 45 minutes.
• Owner, manager, supervisor or new safety rep: Construction Safety for Supervisors, about 6 hours. Covers hazard assessments, toolbox talks, inspections, investigations and COR audit requirements.
• Working alone in the field: Working Alone (Lone Worker), about 45 minutes.

• BC traffic control persons need a WorkSafeBC-approved program that includes a practical assessment. The Traffic Control Persons course description says it is not valid in BC.
• Online training does not replace your employer's site orientation. In BC, new workers get one before they start, and Ontario traffic control persons get written and oral instructions for the job.