July 1, 2014 – Ontario has introduced province wide mandatory on-the-job training. The training is mandatory for all workers and supervisors who are covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The objective of this new training is to make workers, supervisors and employers aware of their rights, roles and responsibilities in the workplace to help prevent incidents and injuries. Non-compliance resulting in conviction for an offence under the Act can result in a fine of up to $500,000 for a corporation and up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months for an individual. Any workplaces that have already provided similar training for their employees and have met the minimum requirements of the new regulations will not need to participate.
Employers must:
- ensure that workers complete a basic occupational health and safety awareness training program as soon as reasonably possible
- ensure that supervisors complete a basic occupational health and safety awareness training program within one week of working as a supervisor
- maintain a record of the training completed by workers and supervisors, and
- provide a worker or supervisor with written proof of completion of the training, if requested by the worker or supervisor (up to six months after ceasing to work for the employer).
- continue to review health and safety practices and policies.
To complete the training, both workers and supervisors will have to take part in a one-hour session using a free e-learning training module after which they will receive a certificate that will remain valid for the remainder of their career or participate in a group training program using online resources or workbooks prepared by the Ministry of Labour. Alternative training program can be used that comply with the Ministry’s regulations and must include instructions on:
- the duties and rights of workers under OHSA
- the duties of employers and supervisors under OHSA
- common workplace hazards and occupational illnesses
- the role of joint health and safety committees (JHSCs) and of health and safety representatives under OHSA
- roles of the Ministry, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), and Health and Safety Associations, and
- information and instruction requirements set out in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulation.
- the duties and rights of workers under OHSA
- the duties of employers and supervisors under OHSA
- how to identify, assess and manage workplace hazards, the role of joint health and safety committees (JHSCs), and of health and safety representatives under OHSA
- roles of the Ministry, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), and Health and Safety Associations, and
- sources of information on occupational health and safety.
*Source: Ministry of Labour Fact Sheet #12, November 2013.
For more details, visit the Ontario Ministry of Labour.
Ontario Ministry of Labour
Regulatory Requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training Regulation*
Additional Training
Act First Safety – Worker Safety Awareness Training
Worker Safety Awareness Training
Supervisor Health & Safety Awareness Training
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