OSSA Fall Protection, Edmonton

OSSA

Description: Oil Sands Safety Association = OSSA (correctly pronounced Oh-SA, not Oh-SHA), was a “non-profit organization made up of representatives from Syncrude Canada, Suncor Energy, Shell Albian Sands and Canadian Natural Resources, as well as volunteer members from the labor providers, union, area contractors and learning providers.”

OSSA recently merged with Enform to form Energy Safety Canada [ESC], so technically neither Enform nor OSSA  exist anymore. Technically … although the terms Enform & OSSA are still routinely used.

There is a new ESC Fall Protection Program scheduled to roll out November 1, 2019, that will replace the existing OSSA Fall Protection Program. OSSA certs are good for three years from the date of issue, but after October 31, “OSSA Fall Protection” will no longer be offered. However, there are lots of issues and uncertainties associated with the new ESC Fall Pro program … So, to sidestep all that, the Hall wants to get as many members as we can through the existing OSSA Fall Protection program on/before October 31, 2019. Again, the OSSA certification is good for three years (by then – Fall 2022 – all this OSSA / ESC business would have sorted itself out!) 

Note: there are no current “ESC EWP” nor “ESC CSEM” programs ready to replace the existing OSSA EWP or OSSA CSEM courses, respectively; so, it is business as usual via the existing OSSA EWP and OSSA CSEM programs.

If you are working on an Oil Sands member site, you will need the Oil Sands Safety Association (or the up and coming ESC) version of Fall Protection (if working at heights), Elevated Work Platform (if working on man-lifts), and Confined Space Entry Monitor (if working in &/or monitoring confined spaces). More generally, OSSA courses have always enjoyed a good reputation, and are universally observed elsewhere in Alberta and usually in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Territories as well.

Time: 8:00am – 4:30pm

Who should attend: Members in need of the respective OSSA safety training for current job or upcoming dispatch

Prerequisites: None required

Instructor: Chris Hooter, IUPAT DC 17 Director of Training