Building a Workplace Safety Program for Small Business in Ontario
6 min read
Under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, every employer — regardless of size — has a legal duty to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers. For small and medium businesses in Ottawa, Russell, Embrun, Winchester, and across Eastern Ontario, this means having a documented safety program in place. The good news is that a practical safety program doesn't have to be complicated. Here is how to build one that works.
- 1
Every Ontario employer must have a written health and safety policy if they regularly employ 6 or more workers — this is a legal requirement, not optional
- 2
Your safety program should start with a hazard identification process — walk your workplace and list every task that could cause injury
- 3
Documented safe work procedures for your highest-risk tasks are the backbone of any effective safety program
- 4
Worker orientation and training records must be kept — in the event of an incident or Ministry inspection, documentation is your evidence of due diligence
- 5
A safety program doesn't need to be hundreds of pages — a focused, practical program followed consistently is far more valuable than a thick binder no one reads
- 6
Businesses with 20 or more workers must have a Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC); those with 6–19 workers need a worker health and safety representative
- 7
Annual reviews of your safety program keep it current and show regulators that safety is an ongoing priority, not a one-time effort
Need Expert Help?
Monarch Health and Safety Group helps Ottawa and Ontario businesses stay compliant and build stronger safety cultures.
Get a Custom Safety Program Built for Your BusinessMore Safety Guides
What Is COR™ Certification and Does Your Business Need It?
4 min read
Workplace SafetyTop 5 Fall Protection Requirements for Ontario Construction Sites
5 min read
WHMISWHMIS 2015: What Every Ontario Employer Must Know
4 min read
DocumentationHow to Build a Health & Safety Manual Your Team Will Actually Use
6 min read