This course is a core requirement for those seeking the O.R.F.A. Registered Recreation Facilities Operator (R.R.F.O.) professional designation. The curriculum will provide an introduction to the fundamental principles and techniques associated with practical maintenance applications in recreation facilities.

• Facility Problem Solving: this session offers participants the opportunity to network with their peers through interactive sessions that will assist in identifying potential problem areas and solutions. Participants should come prepared to discuss problem areas within their own facilities.

• Workplace Inspections: legislation, role of all parties, procedures, checklists, conducting a workplace inspection.

• Custodial Care: washrooms, locker rooms, showers, ceramic floors and grout, general floor care, custodial equipment selection, use and care.

• HVAC: equipment identification, air handlers, filters, belts, economizers, boilers, maintenance and inspection, trouble analysis - this session is conducted off site to allow participants to actually see the equipment.

• Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Safety: types and applications, testing requirements, system maintenance.

• Ladder Safety: straight, extension, stepladders, application, care and safety procedures.

• Customer Service: What is customer service? Why is it important to provide extraordinary service and exceed the expectations of the customers? Who are our customers? What tools or techniques can we use to assist us in dealing with our customers?

• Lighting: influences on lighting, quality, types, energy code compliance.

• Electrical Maintenance Safety: lockout/tag out, electrical awareness safety, fuses and safety switches, fluorescent ballast replacement.

• Building Materials: materials and applications used in construction and renovation (i.e. brick, block, windows, doors, tiles, etc.)

• WHMIS - an overview of the legal responsibilities of the worker, the supervisor and the employer with respect to controlled products, symbols used, supplier labels, Material Safety Data Sheets, and training required

• Snow Loading - an overview of the operator’s responsibilities with respect to roof snow loads and the potential dangers/hazards that can be created.

Registration Form

This course is a core requirement for those seeking the O.R.F.A. Registered Recreation Facilities Manager (R.R.F.M.) professional designation. The curriculum will offer an in-depth, progressive program of study for personnel who have successfully completed Building Maintenance and Operations or a recognized equivalent course. Detailed study of specialized areas of building maintenance and operations will be covered to provide participants with a competent working knowledge of areas relating to sustainability and preventative maintenance programs.

• Building Code; application to the workplace loads, occupancy, barrier free, structural adequacy

• Roofing System; ridges, exposed roofing felts, membrane flashing, bluberries, ponding, water, blisters, pitch pockets, metal roof, single ply

• Painting Specifications; paint products, coatings, surface preparation, tender specifications, maintenance repainting

• Air Quality/Ventilation; air contaminants, air exhaust system, controls, fans, checklist, filters, air flow rates, healthy building guidelines

• Cost Effective Building Program; air leakage, insulation, vapor barrier, infiltration, ex-filtration, air sealing, repair/replacement

• Boiler Maintenance and Operation; certificate requirement, repair vs. maintenance, boiler startup checklist, operators’ responsibilities, safety system inspection shed, water treatments

• Issues Affecting Building Operation; discuss your concerns as it relates to guidelines, standards, occupational health and safety, healthier buildings, new technologies, liability

• Budgeting: capital and current budgets, limitations of traditional budget process, types of budgeting, performance measurement

• Building Assessments; preventative maintenance life cycle, IESNA, spring and fall inspections, structural adequacy, . re code, risk maintenance

• Contract for Services; Facility staff and managers often find themselves in the position of purchasing services. Methods, legal binding contracts, types of contracts, preparing specifications, awards, how to deal with poor service contractors, errors and pitfalls will all be discussed

Registration Form

The need to maintain all recreation environments to the highest level of cleanliness is expected by those who use our facilities each day.  Recreation buildings are large, have huge amounts of human traffic under all kinds of conditions and are often under staffed with little budget.  Understanding the basic requirements of public health regulations as well as how to properly plan and implement a comprehensive work detail can make the task of housekeeping and sanitizing a recreation facility manageable.

This course is designed for front-line staff. It will provide participants with practical proven techniques to safely work through all cleaning jobs aimed at ensuring satisfied users and extended facility life expectancy.  This course will also include a "janitorial rodeo" which will allow participants to view and try various pieces of janitorial equipment.

• Understanding the recreation cleaning environment challenges: aquatic, dry-floor, ice, change rooms and common areas

• Preventing accidents in the workplace - accident reporting

• Legislation that guides facility staff - Public Health Regulations, OHSA

• The role of front-line staff in maintaining a clean safe facility

• Working when the public is in the building

• Working safely with chemicals in the workplace

• First Aid

• Electrical safety

• Proper lifting

• Bacteria and disease control

• Blood borne pathogens and their risks

• Cleaning with steam

• Understanding mould

• Fire prevention

• Confined spaces

• Fall protection

• Safely working at heights

• Use and care of Personal Protective Equipment

• Cleaning food preparation areas

• Wall types and cleaning

• Cleaning windows, trims, ceilings, fans and beams

• Floor types and cleaning requirements

• Stripping, waxing, buffing

• Carpets and furniture

• Restrooms: sinks, urinals and toilets

• Specialized cleaning: lights, computers, leather and grout

• Dealing with garbage and recycling programs

• Controlling stock and inventory

• Dealing with community disasters that elevate facility use and cleaning requirements

• Policies, procedures and record keeping: tracking cleaning tasks to maximize budget allocations

Registration Form

This course is designed to introduce recreation facility personnel to the principles and techniques of parks maintenance and operations. It will be of interest to those professionals who maintain parks as a part of their responsibilities, or to those who wish to develop new knowledge and skills in this area. Facilitators will provide demonstrations and tours emphasizing practical applications of the course content.

• Parks maintenance and operation principles and techniques

• Horticultural landscaping and maintenance

• Estimating, tendering and construction of parks facilities

• Playground equipment maintenance, inspection and standards

• Site fixtures and furniture

• Sports facility and sports field maintenance and operation

• Turf maintenance and techniques

• Safe use and operation of equipment

• Current issues and trends

Registration Form

Working safely in a parks environment requires a comprehensive understanding of the tasks at hand and the equipment designed to effectively and efficiently perform the work. Today’s recreation practitioners must be able to function in various capacities. This Ontario Parks Association sanctioned course is designed to help enhance the competencies of experienced employees, while setting the right foundation blocks for those being introduced to the world of green space maintenance and management.

Participants will gain first hand exposure to industry best practices, and are expected to complete their professional development experience by participating in workplace specific training once they return to the workplace. With the knowledge gained from Park Maintenance and Operation and the Sports Turf Management and Maintenance courses, participants will learn the skills required for the safe operations of small hand tools to larger grass cutting and turf care equipment.

• Equipment dealership tour for a ‘ride and drive’

• On-site safety demonstrations of a farm tractor, loader and wide area mower

• Fuel safety awareness and small tools safety

• Fleet and maintenance management, commercial vehicle operators registration, licenses, log books, weight and trailer use, etc.

• Hands-on training for equipment, grass mowers, pushmowers, weed trimmers and chain saws

• Latest industry-related information on: accident reporting, sun exposure, personal protective equipment, West Nile virus, needles/disposal, Bill C-45, bee stings, poison ivy, etc.

• Litter collection and recycling equipment

Registration Form

This course is offered in cooperation with the Ontario Parks Association and is designed to introduce the latest principles and techniques of managing and maintaining sports turf. The course will be of interest to those who manage or maintain sports turf, other turf areas, and/or those who wish to develop additional knowledge and skills in this important field. The course offers a range of options to deal with issues such as restricted pesticide use, restricted water use, and how best to manage with limited financial resources.

• Turf species and their uses, characteristics and benefits, emphasizing the latest and best varieties for particular uses

• An overview of the identification, monitoring and control of diseases, insects, and weeds in sports turf

• Integrated pest management (IPM) programs to recognize and monitor infestations of diseases, insects and weeds, to identify thresholds, to reduce pesticide use, and to utilize biological and cultural methods to control/reduce infestations

• Soils as a much needed medium for growth and fertility and often the basis for resolving many problems

• Water management including sub-surface and surface drainage systems, irrigation practices and systems and the efficient use of water and weather information for managing improvements under water restrictions with a full module on irrigation

• Cultural practices which enhance and promote good turf and improved playing conditions

• Sports field construction including proper design, layout, orientation and the hidden aspects for good turf

• Renovations and restoration methods for poorly performing fields and best practices which promote good conditions and improved maintenance practices

• A tour will be conducted of the Guelph Turf Grass Institute and various Guelph parks to relate course material to existing conditions on Thursday afternoon.

Registration Form

This course will provide information on the legislative framework under the Planning Act as to how parks and open space fit into the overall plans for a new subdivision. Components include the Planning Act, development charges, needs analysis, budget, community development and maintenance/design considerations. The course is a case study and presentation style course where team work and research and group interaction is required. Participants will be given the tools necessary to complete a project and they will learn how to assemble the information and present their options and findings for group analysis.

Participants should have a base knowledge in parks management, equipment maintenance and playground inspection as well as facility maintenance.

Registration Form

This workshop is designed to introduce recreation facility personnel to the principles and techniques of marina operations and management. It will be of interest to those professionals who currently manage or maintain either marinas or boat launching facilities or those who are interested in developing their waterfront into one of these facilities.

• Creating and communicating environmental awareness to staff and boaters and the role it plays in preserving the waterfront

• Tourism awareness and its importance to the success of your marina facilities

• Terms and conditions for facility contracts

• Orientation and training programs for marina employees

• Customer service program

• Seasonal and transient slip rentals

• Marketing and promoting your marina facility

• Daily marina operations including fueling, docking, pump-out operations and parking

• Waterfront health and safety issues

Registration Form

As part of the death care industry, cemeterians are expected to be skilled and knowledgeable in all aspects of the duties and obligations of cemetery practices. Too often staff is shifted into these specific work environments with little or no formal training. Education and training is essential for all cemetery operators.

In response to this growing training need, Barnes Cemetery Training and Consulting Services has developed a formal training program for those who work in Ontario’s cemeteries and has collaborated with the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association to deliver cemetery training courses through the O.R.F.A.’s annual and regional training programs.

The Cemeterian Operations Level I and II courses identify the fundamentals of cemetery management and will demonstrate the industry standard for proper cemetery operation.

The Cemeterian Operations Level I course is the first of a two-part cemetery program which is designed to educate and raise the level of professionalism of the cemetery operator. The Cemeterian Operations Level I is a three-day, in-class session with invited guest speakers who represent funeral directors and government officials. The Cemeterian Operations Level I course addresses topics that a cemetery operator must be aware of in their day to day duties. Each cemeterian will share their experiences as we discuss each of the presented topics.

• A history of cemeteries

• Understanding how to work safely in a cemetery environment

• Maintaining risks associated with cemetery operations

• Cemetery By-Laws - what they can and cannot control

• Understand the Cemeteries Act and the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act

• Proper grave set-up, grave opening and closing procedures, foundation layout, marker installation, lot layout procedures

• Cremation interment options

• Understanding the importance of proper record keeping

• Dealing with the bereaved families in a compassionate and professional manner

Registration Form

The Cemeterian Operations Level II course is a two-day field training session with invited guest speakers who represent monument builders and cemetery designers. Participants will visit cemetery operations and spend time on cemetery grounds and in maintenance buildings, chapels and mausoleums.

• Receive and document funeral information accurately and professionally

• Perform proper grave layout, opening, set up and closing techniques

• Perform proper marker installation

• Perform and document monument safety inspections

• Perform cremation layout, opening, set up and closing duties

• Perform columbarium layout, opening, set up and closing duties

• Review cemetery equipment and safe working practices

• Review cemetery design opportunities to include memorial trees and benches

Registration Form

A time-tested course, Basic Refrigeration has been delivered to recreation facility personnel for over four decades and has become an industry-recognized minimum competency for practitioners working in a recreation-related refrigeration plant.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of the theory and principles of refrigeration and the importance this plays in the creation of a quality ice surface. While not mandatory, participants are encouraged to gain some knowledge of a working refrigeration system prior to attendance.

It is recommended that prior to attending this course participants ask their refrigeration plant operator, or other qualified facility individual, for a guided tour and orientation of the refrigeration plant. This review should explore: key pieces of equipment; safety devices; log book use; responses to emergencies and evacuation plans; types and amounts of refrigerants; storage; and personal protective equipment for all noxious gases and/or refrigerants stored on site.

• Principles of Refrigeration

• Refrigeration Equipment Identification & Function

• Refrigeration Controls, Accessories and Safety Devices

• Refrigeration System Operation & Maintenance

Registration Form

Creating a durable sheet of ice requires a clear understanding by the ice technician of the ice making environment. This environment will include such variables as basic scientific principles surrounding air, water, paint and refrigeration and may or may not be within the operator’s control. Building on the theory gained in the refrigeration classes, this course will enhance the participants’ knowledge, while increasing their operational effectiveness through a clear understanding of proven ice installation principles and techniques. Further, participants will learn basic standard facility operation practices and have hands-on exposure to various proven on-ice applications.

Some practical on-ice demonstrations will occur with limited opportunity for each participant to take part. All students should come prepared to spend up to seven hours on the ice. Clothing and CSA approved footwear should be selected and worn to suit a cold, wet work environment.

• History of ice making and painting

• Humidity – principles and equipment

• Water – understanding and controlling Total Dissolved Solids

• Refrigerated floors – constructed options, limitations and preparation

• Dasherboard systems – types, best installation practices, safety

• Painting and Logos – painting ice white, lines and logo’s vs. paper, vinyl and other materials

• Specialty Ice Surfaces – Hockey, Curling, Speed Skating, Broomball, Ringette, Figure Skating, Sledge Hockey and Public Skating

• Ice Energy Management

Registration Form

Prerequisites: Participants should have completed a) Basic Refrigeration or the Advanced Refrigeration Facility Operator course; b) and the Ice Making and Painting Technologies course; and c) have two years of practical artificial ice knowledge with some ice resurfacer operational experience or a Safe Ice Resurfacer Operator permit.

In this course, participants will learn skills to create exceptional ice, troubleshoot poor ice conditions, perform ice maintenance, and operate and maintain equipment while ensuring a safe physical setting. There will be some limited opportunity for each participant to take part in the on-ice demonstrations. All participants should come prepared to spend up to seven hours on, or near, the ice surface.

This course is not designed to make a worker a completely competent ice resurfacer driver. It has been created to demonstrate industry best practices with regard to the operation and care of a vital and expensive piece of ice maintenance equipment. The ice resurfacer is a complicated piece of heavy equipment that requires a concise understanding of how it works, what adjustments must be maintained and what ongoing regular maintenance must be conducted by the operator to ensure it provides trouble-free operation. Ongoing workplace specific training must take place once the participant completes this training course.

The O.R.F.A. works closely with both Zamboni and Resurfice Corporation in providing the most up-to-date operational information to participants during this course.

Please note that appropriate clothing and CSA-approved footwear must be worn to suit a cold and wet work environment.

• Daily facility physical maintenance through both policy and procedure

• Ice maintenance, up-keep and equipment

• Troubleshooting

• Air quality

• Facility changeovers

• Fossil fuel safety

• Edger use and safety

• Ice resurfacer operations and maintenance

Registration Form

The course is designed to meet the needs of practitioners wishing to enhance their knowledge of refrigeration systems pertaining specifically to artificial ice rinks. It builds on the knowledge learned in the Basic Refrigeration course. Participants will gain a greater appreciation of the various means of accomplishing temperature reduction for ice making applications. It is ideally suited for those individuals who are responsible for decision making surrounding the maintenance and upgrading of arena refrigeration systems.

• Review of Basic Refrigeration course content

• Definitions, principles, theory applicable to arena refrigeration systems

• Enhanced refrigeration fundamentals

• Theory of refrigeration as it applies to various AIR settings

• Cycle of refrigeration as it applied to various common and advanced AIR settings

• Understanding refrigerants -including safety and environmental concerns

• Introduction of electrical theory and components (including a variety of starters)

• Maintenance requirements

• Introduction to psychometrics

• Applicable dehumidification systems

• Control theory recognition

• Plant accessories

• Health and safety related matters

• Introduction to applicable legislation and codes

Registration Form

This course is designed for individuals seeking an introduction to basic building environmental system/air conditioning systems. It is well suited for practitioners who need to learn more about the various air conditioning and mechanical systems that can be found in arenas, office buildings and community centres. In addition, this course will allow practitioners to facilitate responsible decision-making surrounding the maintenance and upgrading of HVAC/R systems.

• Review of Basic Refrigeration and Advanced Refrigeration Facility Operator course content

• Applicable fundamentals

• Applicable theory as applied to various HVAC/R settings

• Review of cycle (arena specific)

• Application of the Cycle of Refrigeration as applied to various HVAC/R settings

• Review of basic psychometrics

• Applicable psychometrics theory as applied to various HVAC/R settings

• Introduction to various air conditioning systems and related building environmental systems

• Details of different air conditioning systems

• Water treatment for refrigeration and air conditioning systems

• Legion Ella, Legionnaires’ Disease, and sick building syndrome

• Fire alarm & sprinkler systems

• DDC for building environmental systems

The Operating Engineers Regulation, B-52 Mechanical Refrigeration Code, the Ontario Health and Safety Association and various government inspection agencies all play a role should an incident or accident occur in the plant room.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) defines the skill set of a competent person as "a person qualified through knowledge, training and experience to organize and perform the work; familiar with the Acts and Regulations as they apply to the work; and aware of health and safety hazards that may apply to the work." This workshop will not try to interpret any piece of legislation that affects your specific operation. Rather, it will provide an overview of current legislative requirements and provide a basic understanding of what the legal responsibilities are of facility staff and owner/operators who enter a refrigeration plant room.

• Role of the Ministry of Labour (MOL) in inspection and compliance

• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

• Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)

• Boilers and Pressure Vessels Regulation

• Operating Engineers Regulation

• Waste Generator Regulation 347

• Confined Space Legislation and how it affects refrigeration plant rooms

• Understanding key components and safety devices of a typical refrigeration plant room

• Plant readings - maintaining records that meet legislative requirements and creating support documents that can be used successfully in a legal environment

• Selecting, using, storing and limiting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use

• Working alone in these environments

• Tools to assist you in your operations:

- O.R.F.A. Suggested Guidelines for Entry into Mechanical Rooms in Recreation Facilities
- O.R.F.A. Safety Activities for Effective Refrigeration
- O.R.F.A. Suggested Guidelines for Refrigeration Plant Maintenance

The lack of air quality in recreation facilities continues to be an issue 20 years after first being identified. Only by continually educating staff, monitoring, maintaining equipment and evaluating operational activities can today's facility manager be sure that everyone remains safe and unaffected from poor air quality symptoms.

Arena Ice Maintenance Workshop (1 Day)

Arena operators who are committed to reducing energy costs in their facilities must have a comprehensive ice maintenance plan in place.

Too often, facility management assumes that the product they offer on a daily basis is of the best quality only to discover that during extreme use the ice fails. Good ice does not happen by accident. Quality ice is a combination of known sciences and applied technologies.  Does your staff understand the basics and what variables can affect an ice sheet and how they can improve operations on the fly?

The reality of poor artificial ice operational practices often plays out in Canadian courts. Staff training and competency are often called into question during such events. This classroom-based workshop introduces or reconfirms with arena operators what are considered industry best practices:

• Does your staff understand the different types of ice and what causes each type of surface?

• Does your staff have a clear work plan for ice maintenance which includes the use of an ice edger every day? 

• Do you regularly hand chip areas on the ice surface and record these activities? 

• Do you actually perform 6-8 hours of ice maintenance per-week? And do you clearly understand how this is to be scheduled to best use existing resources?

• Does your staff regularly dump water in crease areas that results in a cycle of poor and unsafe operations that could result in a legal payout?

Topics include:

  • The theory of ice making and what to expect when you do it wrong from at the start of the season

  • Setting an ice maintenance plan - and following it
  • The TLC of your equipment and the benefits delivered from this approach
  • Understanding the legal responsibilities of poor ice maintenance
  • Reaping the financial benefits of a quality maintenance program
  • Poor ice trouble shooting and how to handle the situations
  • Do it - but write it down! Benefits of a detailed comprehensive log book
  • Troubleshooting poor ice conditions
  • Open forum for participants to discuss their experiences and problems

Basic Housekeeping and Sanitation and Life Cycle Planning (1 Day)

Confined Space Entry Awareness (1/2 Day)

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) identifies that all workplaces must provide new employees with Confined Space Entry training. Entering into areas that house noxious gases require a “permit” to be completed by the worker prior to entry. Depending on the type of work to be performed, various set legislated requirements must be met. Further, annual retraining is required to remain current. Being able to identify potential confined space situations in chlorine rooms, refrigeration rooms or mechanical rooms is vital to worker and patron safety. If you currently house “any noxious gases” such as chlorine, ammonia, Freon or natural gas, the probability of a confined space situation is real.

Customer Service (1/2 Day)

Dealing With Difficult People & Violence in the Workplace (1 or 2 Day)

This highly touted two-day workshop is currently being delivered to municipal employees across Ontario, as part of their ongoing training in the prevention of violence in the workplace. This is a common sense approach to learning how to handle difficult persons and recognize the advanced warning signs of imminent escalating violence.

Until recently, at the introduction of Bill C-45, many employers were reluctant to go beyond basic communication skills training to increase the safe working conditions of their staff during interactions with difficult people. We are now legally obligated to do so.

Available programs tend to fall well short when it comes to the area of practical application of learned skills within the parameters of the law. The best way to increase personal safety and reduce injuries is to be aware and pro-active, rather than reactive. This program addresses this need.

Topics include:

Module One

• Advanced Communication skills; communications skills for dealing with difficult people and Managing Public Perceptions of Violence within public venues.

• Managing Emotions and Emotional People under Stressful situations. Why do smart people say or do dumb things under stress? What role do high emotions play in dealing with inappropriate or violent behaviour? How do I deal with a highly emotional person when safety is at risk?

• Learn the links between personalities, emotions and communications and the role these all play in recognizing potential violence before it occurs.

• Situational Awareness and Personal Safety including being aware of your surroundings, the environment and the people in it, as well as unintentional risks to personal safety such as dealing with multiple persons, low lighting, ice surfaces, and inclined floors.

• Dealing with Difficult People - including what to look for, non-verbal clues to escalations and identifying pre-violence cues of individuals under stressful circumstances.

Module Two

• Gain an understanding of the practical application of the Trespass to Property Act, Liquor License Act, Criminal Code, and Charter of Rights from the perspective of appropriate judgment and restraint. What is an assault, harassment or threats? When “should I” verses “can I”, disengage when there is risk to others? What does the law say about defending me and others, or using force to effect lawful purposes under the TPA or LLA? How much is too much? When is discipline warranted?

• Pro-active Violence Prevention - A five-step approach. What is the value of planning ahead? How do you actually apply it and get staff to take ownership of it?

• Stances, Balance & Movement in close quarters, or higher risk situations. Where and how to stand in close quarters to maximize safety. How to avoid invading the personal space of others, the concept of using time verses distance and the use of distractions.

• Dealing with actual assaults such as; pokes, pushes, bumping, spitting, and swarming. This includes non-physical options and a minimalistic approach to effecting releases from common grabs and disengaging from physical violence.

Emergency Evacuation Planning (1/2 Day)

Emerging Issues and Operational Best Practices Updates (1/2 Day)

O.R.F.A. committees actively develop documents to help the membership be better prepared for the challenges affecting recreation facility operations. As these documents are created and released it is important for all facility operators to understand their role in reviewing and considering compliance to these suggested industry best practices. These documents are not law but they are tools that legal professionals on both sides of a legal challenge may use to prove diligence or lack thereof.

Facility Safety and Risk Management Awareness (1/2 Day)

Facility Worker Orientation Workshop (1 Day)

Fall Restraint Awareness (1/2 Day)

Falls from less than 2-feet in height annually kill workers in Canada. Those who are not killed are very expensive to care for and treat. Understanding your obligations to safely train workers to perform any work over a height of 6-feet is a requirement under the OHSA. Are you using the right ladder for the right job? Are you providing the right scaffolding and scaffolding accessories to staff to change light bulbs? Are employees “tying off” when working on a roof? Be clear on your expectations under the law.

Fiscal Management (1/2 Day)

This workshop visits the fiscal responsibility of a facility practitioner, while helping develop the skills required to-create good budgeting techniques. Only by understanding “true cost accounting” can today's facility manger table accurate information to help set or review current user fee structures? Combining fiscal management with industry accepted operating practices is the key to controlling an operating budget.

Fuel Safety Awareness (1 Day)

Recreation workers are regularly exposed to fossil fuels in the workplace. Two incidents involving poor refueling techniques resulted in one death, while a second worker was badly burned, spending many months under extensive medical care. To meet the requirements of the OHSA, the O.R.F.A has compiled a “fuel safety awareness” training workshop, which investigates all possible fossil fuel use in a recreation setting. Propane, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, varsols and other fossil fuels must be safely stored, transported and used to meet the requirements of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority - Fuel Safety Division.

Human Body Fluid Contact Awareness (1/2 Day)

Facility workers exposure to blood, sharps and other human body fluids is real. Being able to identify possible high-risk situations will ensure that staff and patrons remain safe at all times. Does your staff currently conduct regular housekeeping in high-risk areas? Do they know how to safely clean spilled blood or collect a needle?

Introduction to Health and Safety - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (1 Day)

The first step to health and safety in the workplace is to understanding the different pieces of legislation that might apply. Part-time, full-time and even volunteers require basic health and safety training exposure. This workshop helps you evaluate if in fact you are meeting the basic requirements of health and safety, while helping you identify the pitfalls others have experienced in the recreation business. Understanding your obligations of providing and maintaining Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for workers, such as Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in recreation facilities is a complicated subject. SCBA is merely one piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be considered if a facility houses a chlorine room, ammonia, Freon or other explosive gases. This workshop openly reviews known legislated obligations to all PPE requirements in a recreation setting.

Life-Cycle Planning (1/2 Day)

Every facility goes through a life-cycle! Being able to identify and properly prepare for these different stages of existence will help ensure that these significant community investments are prolonged to their full extent without having to invest huge amounts of capital at anyone time. By properly planning, using recognized life-cycle planning techniques, a facility manager can help make sure that the facility is in prime working order for generations to come.

Maximizing Facility Revenues (1 Day)

Recreation facilities throughout Canada are being pressured to generate more revenue from their current operations. This workshop investigates new revenue trends and alternate sources of revenue for today's recreation professional.

Topics include:

• Pricing our services - understanding how to calculate what an hour of ice, field time or pool time actually costs

• Customer service - understanding basic customer service skills is essential to patron satisfaction and overall sales

• Concession planning, design and set-up

• Tips on menu planning/branding

• Joint responsibilities - when user groups, receptions or special events take place on municipal property - which is responsible and for what and at what potential cost

• Vending machines - a source of revenue with legal requirements for proper installation, maintenance and upkeep

• Basics of inventory control

• Profit planning and cost control

• Setting pricing - what percentage should be made from sales, how much waste is acceptable

• Alcohol sales and food service - Special Occasion Permits verses full time bar operations. What are the pros, cons and responsibilities?

• Pit falls of leasing municipal owned concessions

• Concerts, circuses, trade and consumer shows

• Special Event Considerations

• Retail operations - pro shop, skate sharpening and other related services

• Public private partnerships

• Generating revenue through other sources - facility advertising [dasher boards, clocks, wall signs etc.] and other ideas to help generate operational dollars

• Taxes - when to charge PST and GST on food and what is RST

Who should attend? This workshop is designed for operations with limited staff that find they handle all the responsibilities of a facility or recreation department revenue generation.

Mould in Recreation Facilities (1/2 Day)

The discovery of mould growth in public buildings is regularly reported in the media. Schools, court rooms and recreation facilities are all potential sites for a mould outbreak.  In response, facility managers must be prepared to identify potential mould conditions and have a system in place that reduces the potential for outbreak. This workshop will address topics that include:

• Establishing a plan to address workers, patrons, users, decision makers and the media.

• The importance of paint and cleaning chemical selection.

• Creating a comprehensive housekeeping plan.

• The correct monitoring of facilities for small mould outbreaks and immediately correcting them.

• Maintaining humidity at the correct level.

• Understanding how a changing environment can affect your historical operations.

Municipal Alcohol Policy Development or Review (1/2 Day)

The O.R.F.A. has partnered with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in creating a self-help tool for recreation departments to follow when developing a Municipal Alcohol Policy (MAP) or updating an existing policy. This detailed resource is exclusive to the O.R.F.A and we are confident that it will help the municipal director or facility manager educate incoming committee members or other municipal staff on the rational behind the existence of the current MAP, while ensuring that it remains current and up to date at all times. Once a municipality has received this self help resource it will allow for greater ongoing monitoring and upgrade of current policies related to alcohol consumption in a recreation setting.

Understanding the Operating Engineers Regulation – TSSA (1/2 Day)

Under the Operating Engineers Regulation, TSSA examines and certifies Power Plant Engineers and Operators to confirm their qualifications. TSSA registers plants in order to specify the operating requirements of the Regulation, including the certification level of the Operating Engineering staff. Ontario’s artificial ice rink operators are not in the ice business; they are in the business of mechanical refrigeration. It is important that arena operators know and understand the difference. This session will provide an overview of OER areas that need to be carefully reviewed by anyone who is responsible for the care and control of a refrigeration plant room.

Public Skating Guidelines (1/2 Day)

Recreation Facility Housekeeping (1/2 Day)

Only by setting daily housekeeping tasks through a detailed housekeeping plan can a facility manager be confident that they are prepared to meet the high demands of the general public for facility cleanliness. Let the O.R.F.A. help you create a housekeeping system that will only breed compliments.

Refrigeration Safety Awareness (1/2 Day)

This workshop introduces workers to the realities of working in a refrigeration room. As set out in Section 25 of the OHSA, each employer must provide training on any piece of equipment, chemical or substance that might harm a worker in the workplace. Understanding the hidden dangers inside a refrigeration room is the first step toward ensuring employee safety. This workshop is a great first step prior to mandating either the Basic Refrigeration certificate or higher for any employee who has work responsibilities within the mechanical room.

Safe Food Handling Awareness (1/2 Day)

The O.R.F.A. is proud of the partnership it has struck with York Regional Health Services. One of the benefits of this relationship has been the access to their PROTON course as a foundation for our Safe Food Handling Awareness workshop. Currently, PROTON training is used throughout York Region to safely train the food services industry. The O.R.F.A. recognized that annually millions of meals are served in concession stands, community halls, at ball parks, waterfronts, festivals and special events, etc. with most workers receiving little or no training on how to safely store, handle or generally work around food. Illness related to the improper serving methods of food to the public is real. Are you meeting today's standards and legislated responsibility? A written test is required at the conclusion of this training.

Safe Ice Resurfacer Operator (SIRO) (1 Day)

The Safe Ice Resurfacer Operator awareness workshop is an introduction or refresher to ice resurfacer operations. Health and Safety laws require that employers provide annual training to all workers on all chemicals and equipment that are present in the workplace. This workshop utilizes the on-site ice resurfacer, as it takes the worker through the necessary pre-flood, flood, daily and weekly maintenance inspection activities.

Ultimately, the ice resurfacer manufacturers owner's manual will guide each workplace however; the SIRO workshop is an accumulation of known incidents involving an ice resurfacer that have resulted in worker injury while reviewing proven “industry best practices” in hopes of avoiding future accidents. The workshop reinforces the benefit of a “log book” to maintain the ice resurfacer in top form. This important tool will not only help reduce the potential for down time, it will also create a permanent record of maintenance and upkeep activities to help guide replacement or major overhauls of the unit.

Workers conducting a quick inspection of their equipment, while knowing what to look for as potential problem areas prior to moving the ice resurfacer can avoid 99% of all equipment failures on the ice. Remember, that as soon as the wheels cross the threshold onto the ice, the operator in control is now responsible for all incidents related to the equipments operation or failure. If your current employees arrive at work and “get on it and drive” this workshop is for them.

Topics include:

• History of the IR

• Occupational Health & Safety- Stop Work

• IR Operational Safety Activities

• Sample Policy Statement

• Sample Operating Procedures Guidelines

• Fuel Types- Gasoline-Propane-Natural Gas

• Escaping Gas Detection - Fire Extinguisher use

• Air Quality

• Circle Checking Activities

• Mounting/Dismounting-Moving the IR-Fall Arrest

• Water systems

• Scheduled Operational Maintenance Activities

• Final written test

Smart Serve Plus (1 Day)

The O.R.F.A. can deliver the recognized “Smart Serve” training course but with the added benefit of a more detailed look at the realities of Special Occasion Permit hosting. The Smart Serve training course takes a hard look at the accepted responsibilities of a worker, host or occupier when it comes to serving alcohol. Intervention and over consumption prevention are the keys to responsible serving. The difference of serving alcohol in a relaxed tavern setting cannot be compared to significant community events, which attract thousands of people. We hope to help you avoid potential litigation at your next community event. This training session would be great for any community committee that is thinking of hosting a public event and serving alcohol, or facility staff that regularly encounter alcohol consumption in dressing room, park or other municipal properties. A written test is required at the conclusion of this training.

Suggested Guidelines for Evaluating Arena Boards and Glass (1 Day)

The O.R.F.A. released a detailed document to help guide facility operations, which are considering a retrofit or a new construction involving arena boards and glass. These suggested guidelines will help provide a minimum installation for boards and glass in a recreation facility. The use of protective netting is strongly recommended to help guard against possible litigation from patrons who are injured from pucks, balls or other pieces of equipment leaving the playing surface. See how others have fallen victim to poor operating practices and apply their findings to your current operations as well as learn what the Canadian Standards Association have implemented.

WHMIS Orientation (1/2 Day)