H&S Tips & Templates
Expert guidance, practical tips, and free templates to help Ontario businesses build safer, more compliant workplaces.
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Expert H&S Tips for Ontario Businesses
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
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 training is mandatory for all workers who may be exposed to fall hazards
Guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems 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
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
All hazardous products must have compliant labels with pictograms
Training must be workplace-specific — generic training alone is not sufficient
Start with our FREE WHMIS online course at onlinetraining.monarchsafetygroup.com
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 and hazards your manual covers
Write for your audience — use plain language your workers can understand
Include site-specific procedures, not just generic policy statements
Add visual aids, checklists, and quick-reference guides for high-risk tasks
Review and update your manual at least annually or after any serious incident
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, WAH, and awareness training
Post required notices: OHSA, WHMIS poster, and Emergency Contacts
Ensure your Joint Health & Safety Committee minutes are up to date
Have your H&S manual, SDS binder, and incident records accessible
Conduct regular internal inspections and document them with corrective actions
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
WSIB premiums are based on your industry classification and payroll
Reporting a workplace injury within 3 days is mandatory under the WSIA
A strong safety program can reduce your WSIB experience rating over time
WSIB's Health & Safety Excellence program offers rebates for businesses with strong safety programs
Download Free Safety Templates
Ready-to-use forms and checklists to help you manage safety at your workplace. Contact us to receive any of these templates directly.
Site Inspection Checklist
Standardized inspection checklist for construction sites.
Request Template →Need a Custom Safety Solution?
These resources are a starting point. For a program built specifically for your industry and operations, talk to our team.