Conseils SST et Modèles
Conseils d'experts, astuces pratiques et modèles gratuits pour aider les entreprises ontariennes à créer des milieux de travail plus sûrs et conformes.
SIMDUT, Travail en Hauteur et plus — cours en ligne accrédités avec certificats instantanés
Conseils SST Experts pour les Entreprises Ontariennes
What Is COR™ Certification and Does Your Business Need It?
The Certificate of Recognition (COR™) is a nationally recognized health and safety accreditation that proves your safety management system meets industry standards. Here's what it means for your Ontario business.
COR™ is required for many government and large contractor bids in Ontario and Quebec
Certification involves an internal audit, an external COR™ audit, and ongoing maintenance
A well-prepared COR™ program can reduce incident rates by 15–30%
Most businesses need 3–6 months to prepare for their first COR™ audit
COR™ can reduce WSIB premiums and improve your company's safety culture
Your health and safety management system must cover hazard identification, training, emergency response, and incident investigation
Top 5 Fall Protection Requirements for Ontario Construction Sites
Falls are the leading cause of serious injury on Ontario construction sites. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers have specific fall protection obligations. Here's what you need to know.
Fall protection is required when working at heights of 3 metres or more
Working at Heights (WAH) training is mandatory for all workers who may be exposed to fall hazards
Guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) are all acceptable forms of protection
Employers must have a written rescue plan before workers use personal fall arrest equipment
Ladders must extend at least 1 metre above the landing surface
Fall protection plans must be site-specific and reviewed before work begins
WHMIS 2015: What Every Ontario Employer Must Know
WHMIS 2015 aligned Canada's hazard communication system with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). If your workplace uses, handles, or stores hazardous products, WHMIS 2015 training and labeling is mandatory.
WHMIS 2015 training is required for any worker who works with or near hazardous products
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be available to workers at all times — paper or electronic
All hazardous products must have compliant GHS labels with standardized pictograms
Training must be workplace-specific — generic online training alone is not sufficient under OHSA
Employers must keep training records and make them available for Ministry of Labour inspections
Start with our FREE WHMIS 2015 online course — get your instant certificate in 30 minutes
How to Build a Health & Safety Manual Your Team Will Actually Use
A health and safety manual is only as useful as its clarity and accessibility. Most generic safety manuals collect dust — here's how to build one that works for your specific operations.
Start with a clear scope — define what operations, locations, and hazards your manual covers
Write for your audience — use plain language your workers can understand, not legal jargon
Include site-specific procedures, not just generic policy statements copied from templates
Add visual aids, checklists, and quick-reference guides for high-risk tasks
Align your manual with COR™ elements if you're pursuing certification
Review and update your manual at least annually or after any serious incident or regulatory change
Preparing for a Ministry of Labour Inspection in Ontario
A Ministry of Labour visit doesn't have to be stressful. Most violations result from poor documentation or missing training records — both easily preventable. Here's how to be ready.
Keep training records for every worker — WHMIS 2015, Working at Heights, and OHSA awareness training
Post required notices in a visible location: OHSA poster, WHMIS poster, and Emergency Contact List
Ensure your Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) or Health & Safety Representative minutes are current and signed
Have your H&S manual, SDS binder, and workplace injury/illness records accessible and up to date
Conduct regular internal inspections and document them with completed corrective actions
Know your rights — workers and employers both have rights during an inspection under the OHSA
Lockout/Tagout in Ontario: Protecting Workers from Hazardous Energy
Lockout/tagout failures are among the most serious — and preventable — causes of workplace fatalities in Ontario. If your workers service, maintain, or operate machinery, here's what the law requires.
A written lockout/tagout procedure is legally required for any machine or equipment where unexpected energization could injure a worker
All forms of hazardous energy must be isolated — electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, thermal, and chemical
Each worker performing maintenance must apply their own personal lock — one worker, one lock, no exceptions
Workers must be trained on LOTO procedures specific to each piece of equipment they service
Locks must not be removed by anyone other than the worker who applied them — supervisors cannot override this
Conduct a periodic LOTO audit to verify procedures are being followed and all equipment has up-to-date written procedures
Working in Heat: Ontario Employer Obligations for Hot Weather Safety
Heat stress is one of the most underreported workplace hazards in Ontario. Employers have a legal duty to protect workers from extreme heat — here's what that looks like in practice.
Develop a written heat stress prevention program before hot weather arrives — don't wait for an incident
Provide workers with cool, clean drinking water nearby — at least 250ml every 20 minutes in extreme heat
Allow workers to acclimatize gradually — new or returning workers need 7–14 days to adjust to heat
Schedule heavy outdoor work during cooler parts of the day and build in rest breaks in shaded areas
Train supervisors to recognize early signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, heavy sweating, weakness, nausea
Monitor the Humidex — when it reaches 35 or above, additional controls and rest periods are strongly recommended
Confined Space Entry in Ontario: What Employers Must Have in Place
Confined space fatalities are almost always preventable. Ontario law requires a written confined space program, atmospheric testing, and a rescue plan before anyone enters. Here's what you need.
Identify and inventory all confined spaces on your site — a space qualifies if it is large enough to enter, has restricted entry/exit, and is not designed for continuous occupancy
Develop a written confined space program that covers hazard identification, entry procedures, atmospheric testing, and rescue
Atmospheric testing for oxygen levels, flammable gases, and toxic substances must be done before and during any entry
An entry permit must be completed and signed before each confined space entry — verbal authorization is not sufficient
A trained attendant must remain outside the confined space at all times while a worker is inside
A rescue plan must be in place before entry begins — rescue teams must be trained and equipped, never attempt a rescue without proper gear
New Worker Orientation: What Ontario Employers Are Required to Cover
New workers are injured at a disproportionately high rate in their first few weeks on the job. Ontario law requires employers to provide health and safety orientation before work begins — here's exactly what to include.
Orientation must happen before the worker begins work — not after their first day or first incident
Cover the basics: rights and responsibilities under OHSA, how to report a hazard, who the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) representative is
Review workplace-specific hazards, emergency procedures, and the location of first aid and fire extinguishers
Provide WHMIS training for any worker who may work with or near hazardous products
Assign a buddy or mentor for the first few weeks — informal supervision dramatically reduces new worker injuries
Document the orientation with a sign-off sheet and keep it on file — it is your proof of compliance in a Ministry of Labour inspection
Workplace Incident Investigation: Ontario Requirements and Best Practices
Every workplace incident — including near misses — is an opportunity to prevent the next one. Ontario law sets out clear investigation requirements. Here's what employers must do and how to do it right.
All critical injuries must be reported to the Ministry of Labour immediately by phone, with a written report to follow within 48 hours
Near misses must also be investigated — they are free lessons that show where your next serious injury is coming from
Investigations must be completed by the constructor or employer and a JHSC worker representative as soon as possible after the incident
Focus on root causes, not blame — ask 'why did the system allow this to happen?' not 'who made a mistake?'
Corrective actions must be specific, assigned to a responsible person, and have a completion deadline — vague actions get ignored
Keep all investigation records on file — the Ministry of Labour can request them at any time and will review them following a serious incident
Understanding WSIB: What Ontario Employers Need to Know
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) plays a central role in Ontario's safety system. Here's what every employer needs to understand about registration, claims, and compliance.
Most Ontario employers are required to register with WSIB within 10 days of hiring their first worker
WSIB premiums are based on your industry classification and total insurable payroll
Reporting a workplace injury to WSIB within 3 days is mandatory under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA)
Your WSIB experience rating adjusts your premiums based on your claims history — fewer claims means lower premiums
WSIB's Health & Safety Excellence program offers significant premium rebates for businesses that demonstrate strong safety practices
A strong health and safety management system is the most effective way to reduce WSIB costs long-term
Fall Protection for Industrial Workplaces: What Ontario & Quebec Employers Must Know
Falls are a leading cause of serious injury in industrial workplaces — manufacturing, warehousing, mining, and more. Here's what employers in Ontario and Quebec are legally required to have in place.
In Ontario, O. Reg. 851 requires fall protection for industrial workers exposed to a fall of 1.2 metres or more — lower than the construction threshold
In Quebec, the LSST and associated regulations require employers to eliminate fall hazards at the source before relying on personal protective equipment
A written fall protection plan is required before work begins at elevation — it must be site-specific and include rescue procedures
Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) — harness, lanyard, and anchor — must be inspected before each use and meet CSA Z259 standards
Employers must identify and document all fall hazards through a formal hazard assessment as part of their safety management system
Anchor points must be engineered to withstand a minimum load of 8 kN (approximately 1,800 lbs) per attached worker
Workers must be trained on the specific fall protection equipment they are using — general awareness training is not sufficient
A rescue plan must be in place before any worker is elevated — post-fall suspension trauma (harness hang syndrome) can be fatal within minutes
Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Requirements in Ontario: What Employers Need to Know
A Joint Health and Safety Committee is legally required for most Ontario workplaces with 20 or more workers. Here's everything employers need to know about JHSC obligations under the OHSA.
A JHSC is required when your workplace regularly employs 20 or more workers — this includes part-time and seasonal employees counted toward your regular complement
The JHSC must have at least two members: at minimum one worker representative (selected by workers or their union) and one management representative (appointed by the employer)
Workplaces with 50 or more workers must have a minimum of four JHSC members — at least half must be worker representatives
JHSC members must complete the mandatory JHSC Certification training through a WSIB-approved provider — Part 1 and Part 2 certification is required for certified members
The JHSC must meet at least once every three months — meeting minutes must be kept and posted in the workplace
JHSC members have the right to inspect the physical condition of the workplace at least once per month — they must submit written recommendations to the employer
The employer must respond in writing to JHSC recommendations within 21 days — agreeing, disagreeing (with reasons), or providing a timeline for action
If a serious injury or fatality occurs, a JHSC member (or worker health and safety representative) must be notified and has the right to inspect the scene
What Does an OHS Consultant Do? A Guide for Ottawa & Eastern Ontario Businesses
An OHS consultant helps businesses build, implement, and maintain workplace safety programs that keep workers safe and keep companies compliant. Here's what to expect from a consulting partnership in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
An OHS consultant assesses your current safety program, identifies gaps, and builds or improves your documentation, procedures, and training
Consultants save you time — most business owners don't have the expertise or hours to build a compliant safety program from scratch
A good OHS consultant works with your existing team, not around them — your supervisors and workers should be involved throughout
Consulting is not just for large companies — businesses with as few as 5 employees benefit from a documented safety program
COR™ certification, WSIB audits, and Ministry of Labour inspections are all areas where a consultant's guidance pays for itself
The best consultants tailor their advice to your industry — a construction site has very different risks than a medical office or a manufacturing plant
On-site visits give consultants the context they need — remote-only services often miss critical site-specific hazards
Working at Heights Training Ontario: Requirements, Providers & What to Expect
Working at Heights training is mandatory for Ontario construction workers exposed to fall hazards. Here's what the training requires, who needs it, and how to book it for your team in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
WAH training is mandatory for all workers on Ontario construction projects where they could be exposed to a fall hazard at any height
The training must be delivered by a WSIB-approved provider — employer-developed courses do not satisfy the requirement
The approved program includes theoretical and practical components — workers must demonstrate competency, not just attend
WAH training does not expire, but refresher training is required when there are significant changes to a worker's role or equipment
Supervisors must also complete WAH training if they could be exposed to fall hazards
Completion of WAH training must be documented — workers receive a proof-of-training document they carry on site
WAH training is separate from — and in addition to — a site-specific fall protection plan, which the employer must still prepare
Building a Workplace Safety Program for Small Business in Ontario
Many small business owners in Ontario think workplace safety programs are only for large companies. They're not — and the OHSA applies to businesses of all sizes. Here's how to build a practical, compliant program without overcomplicating it.
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
Your safety program should start with a hazard identification process — walk your workplace and list every task that could cause injury
Documented safe work procedures for your highest-risk tasks are the backbone of any effective safety program
Worker orientation and training records must be kept — in the event of an incident or Ministry inspection, documentation is your evidence of due diligence
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
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
Annual reviews of your safety program keep it current and show regulators that safety is an ongoing priority, not a one-time effort
Prime Contractor Responsibilities in Ontario: What You Need to Know
On Ontario construction projects with multiple employers, one party must be designated as the prime contractor — and they carry significant legal responsibility. Here's what that means and how to manage it properly.
On any Ontario construction project where multiple employers are present, a 'prime contractor' must be designated — typically the general contractor or project owner
The prime contractor is responsible for ensuring all employers and workers on the project comply with the OHSA and its regulations
If a project owner does not designate a prime contractor in writing, the project owner themselves becomes the prime contractor by default
The prime contractor must establish a process for identifying and addressing hazards created by the work of multiple employers on the same site
Sub-contractors do not lose their own obligations under the OHSA — both the prime contractor and sub-contractors carry duties simultaneously
A written contract clearly stating the prime contractor designation is essential — verbal agreements do not provide legal protection
Ministry of Labour inspectors will look for evidence that the prime contractor is actively coordinating safety, not just holding the title on paper
Télécharger des Modèles de Sécurité Gratuits
Formulaires et listes de vérification prêts à l'emploi pour vous aider à gérer la sécurité en milieu de travail. Contactez-nous pour recevoir ces modèles directement.
Site Inspection Checklist
Standardized inspection checklist for construction sites.
Demander le Modèle →Worker Orientation Checklist
New worker onboarding and safety orientation record.
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