The goal is to improve worker health and safety by helping employers comply with the occupational health and safety act ohsa and its regulations. What is the occupational health and safety act ohsa. If there is any question about whether the ohsa applies to you or your workplace, you may consider calling the ministry of labour, training and skills developments health and safety information line. Regulation 851 applies to a variety of different workplaces in ontario, including offices and office buildings, factories, arenas, shops, restaurants and logging operations. Consult an employment lawyer for the ministry of labour complaints. The ontario occupational health and safety act ohsa sets out the duties of employers in protecting workers from health and safety hazards on the job. The occupational health and safety act gives the lieutenant governor in council broad powers to make regulations under the act. Q005 the ministry of labour s green book covers ontario s health and safety legislation relevant to the construction industry. It sets out roles for empolyesr, superv siors and workers so they can work together to make workplaces safer. The green book contains the complete and current ontario occupational health and safety act and regulations in ontario. The occupational health and safety act and regulations are enforced by the ontario ministry of labour.
Ministry of labour, publications, 655 bay street, 14th floor, toronto m7a 1t7. The occupational health and safety act, 1978 and regulations. Toronto monte mcnaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development, issued the following statement today regarding health and safety on construction sites. A guide to the occupational health and safety act grand river. Jan 04, 2020 ministry of labour, training and skills development the ontario government has changed the name of the former ministry of labour mol to reflect its expanded mandate. It gives important rights to workers, such as the right to refuse unsafe work, and gives the ministry of labour the power to inspect workplaces and investigate complaints. Frequently asked questions wsps workplace safety and. Personal protective equipment ppe is designed to protect against safety andor health hazards. The occupational health and safety act ohsa must be posted in the workplace, where employees can read it. Ontario ministry of labour the ministry of labour works to establish and enforce employment standards, prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths, and handle workplace disputes in ontario. Occupational health and safety act coverage expanded to unpaid coop students and learners in work placements. Health and safety standards in ontario healthandsafetyhelp. The ministry of labours green book covers ontarios health and safety legislation relevant to the construction industry.
Do you have your copy of the occupational health and safety. The health and wellbeing of every ontario resident is the ministry s number one priority, stated the release. How do i obtain a copy of the occupational health and safety act. The free fillable pdf forms are available on the mol website.
Tab set for occupational health and safety act and regulation for mines and mining plants binder edition, regulation 854 note. Companies in noncompliance with a health or safety requirement are seemingly at the mercy of the ministry as to whether they prosecute in addition to orders and. The occupational health and safety act sets out the rights and duties of all parties in. Ministry of labour health and safety inspectors are typically appointed as provincial offences officers under the provincial offences act poa to ensure workplaces are in compliance with health and safety legislation. Guide to the occupational health and safety act ontario. Occupational health and safety act, 1978, statutes of ontario, 1978, chapter 83. Approved training provider id number for act first safety has been provided to us from the ontario mol and we are listed as an approved trainer on the mol website. The ontario gazette where it is published every january and july. The green book contains the complete, current ontario occupational health and safety act ohsa.
Ministry of labour ontario health and safety canada. For more information on the occupational health and safety act. Do you have your copy of the occupational health and. The ministrys mandate is to advance safe and fair labour practices to support the social and economic wellbeing of workers in the province. Regulation respecting asbestos, made under the occupational. Ontario ministry of labour inspectors focusing on musculoskeletal, respiratory illnesses. Contact the ministry of labour toll free information line at 180026880, visit the ministry of labours website at.
This is a requirement put in place by the ministry of labour so that workers. Also known as the green book, it contains the complete and current ontario ohsa and regulations and includes drilled holes for easy posting. Other contributing legislation includes the workplace safety and insurance act wsia, part ii of which deals with the prevention of occupational injury and disease and the human rights code, which often has to be considered in dealing with ohs issues. Occupational health and safety, employment rights and responsibilities and labour relations. The green book ontario occupational health and safety act and regulations, is updated annually and published by osg inc. If you are an employer in a workplace that is covered by the occupational health and safety act ohsa, you may need to notify the ministry of labour, training and skills development, your workplace joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative, and the union if there is one when someone is killed or critically injured. Occupational health and safety publications ontario. The regulation is under the occupational health and safety act. The ministry of labour is responsible for labour issues in the canadian province of ontario. The ministry of labour the ministry is proposing various amendments to regulation 851 industrial establishments under the occupational health and safety act ohsa. Regulation respecting asbestos, made under the occupational health and safety act. Ministry of labour free advice line for smb owners. Ministry of labour ministry of the attorney general. You should consult a guide to the occupational health and safety act for information about other requirements, which is available on the ministry of labour website this guide does not cover other legal obligations that may exist such as those under.
The ontario occupational health and safety act ohsa has been the backbone of health and safety regulations in ontarios workplaces since 1979, with todays version based on significant amendments made in 1990. It works on behalf of employers and employees to ensure harmonious workplaces across the province. The ontario ministry of labour has compiled a top 10 list of violations of the occupational health and safety act, with violence and harassment taking the number 1 spot. The occupational health and safety act ohsa is the ontario law that protects workers from health and safety hazards at work. A guide to the occupational health and safety act department of. Successful employers will be accredited by ontario s chief prevention officer cpo. For the complete table of regulations reference, please see. Offences and penalties on this page skip this page navigation the ministry may initiate a prosecution against any regulated person including employers, supervisors, and workers for a contravention of the act or the regulations, or for failing to comply with an order of an inspector, a director or the minister subsection 661. Ontario ministry of labour priorities for 2019 ontario s assistant deputy minister at the ministry of labour, peter augruso, shares the provinces top priorities for the next year and some. How to respond to occupational health and safety inspections and investigations benefits of this program. Other contributing legislation includes the workplace safety and insurance act wsia, part ii of which deals with the prevention of occupational injury and disease and the human rights code, which often has to be considered in. Contact your local ministry of labour office listed in the blue pages of your phone book. Do you have your copy of the occupational health and safety act.
Reprisals under the occupational health and safety act. Health and safety act and regulation for construction projects, ontario. Occupational health and safety act and regulation for construction projects, r291 jan. Apr 01, 2008 regulation made under the occupational health and safety act for rollover protective structures, o. Reporting workplace incidents or structural hazards ontario. The ministry enforces the occupational health and safety act. Heat stress health and safety guidelines ontario ministry of labour if the air is moving for example, from fans and it is cooler than your body, it is easier for your body to pass heat to the environment.
What are additional resources available to understand the ohsa. General duty clause ministry of labour fact sheet on heat stress states. Happening from january 6 to march, 2020, this blitz will focus on the lack and misuse of personal protective equipment such as foot, eye, hearing, and respiratory protection devices. The extension ensures affected workers can continue to work, and construction continues, when possible.
The ministry s mandate is to advance safe and fair labour practices to support the social and economic wellbeing of workers in the province. The occupational health and safety act ohsa is ontario s cornerstone legislation for workplace health and safety. Purchase ontario occupational health and safety act green book. Mol does not always effectively resolve employment issues, contact us before you file a complaint. Online certification training in mid2019, the mol announced that it would permit online training for joint health and safety certification, part 1. Guide to the occupational health and safety act for farming operations. The mission of the ministry of labour is to contribute to the prosperity of ontario by advancing health, safety, fairness and productive relationships in the workplace and the broader community. The employer did not report the death to the ministry of labour as required by s. Isbn 0779494652 html isbn 0779494660 pdf for further information on the occupational health and safety act. Supporting ontario s safe employers is a voluntary program that recognizes employers across ontario who successfully implement an occupational health and safety management system ohsms in their workplace.
This is a requirement put in place by the ministry of labour so that workers know about their rights. Empty binder, revised contents package, and revised tab sets are all avail. Regulations made under the occupational health and safety act, revised statutes of ontario, 1990, chapter o. Occupational health and safety act coverage expanded to unpaid coop students and learners in work placements, effective november 20, 2014. Contact your local ministry of labour office listed in the blue pages of your. Read, highlight, and take notes, across web, tablet, and phone. This page provides access to the ministry of labour s health and safety publications. Ministry of labour, training, and skills development mltsd health. If you still are not sure if the act applies to you or your workplace. Health and safety checklist for small business owners. Regulation made under the occupational health and safety act for rollover protective structures, o. Workers on medications or with preexisting medical conditions may be more susceptible to heat stress. On november 15, 20, the ministry of labour announced a new regulation that.
The health care health and safety program enforces health and safety laws in ontario s health and community care workplaces. Code for medical surveillance for designated substances in ontario regulation 49009 2019 under the occupational health and safety act overview the ministry of labour s. Explore this website for prevention tips and contact one of our health and safety association partners. The green book contains the complete, current ontario occupational health and safety act ohsa and also includes the following regulations. Telephone 416 3267731 or tollfree in ontario 180026880. The training, which will be mandatory for all companies covered by the occupational health and safety act and provide a basic understanding of the act, goes into effect on july 1, 2014.
Enforced by the ministry of labour, the ohsas overarching role is to ensure workers are protected from workplace hazards. Labour, training and skills development ontario stepping up measures to limit the spread of covid19 on construction sites march 29, 2020 1. According to the occupational health and safety act, under section 541 of its guidelines, the ministry of labour reserves the right to send an inspector to make a surprise visit to your workplace without any form of notice or warrant. This handy and portable book is suitable for carrying with you or posting on bulletin boards and can help employers meet their obligation to post a copy of the occupational health and safety act ohsa in the workplace. Industrial establishments regulation amendment proposal. Safe at work ontario is the ministry of labour strategy to protect workers health and safety on the job. Ministry of labour law complaints labour law toronto. The occupational health and safety act, 1978 and regulations for construction projects. Ontario ministry of labour priorities for 2019 youtube. Other ppe, such as hearing and respiratory protection, is designed to prevent illnesses and unwanted health effects. For compliance purposes, the ministry of labour recommends the threshold limit values tlvs for heat stress and heat strain published by the american conference of governmental industrial hygienists acgih. The msd prevention guideline and resource manual provide workplaces with a framework for addressing msds in the workplace.
This summer, the ontario ministry of labour introduced the small business health and safety checklist, which is customizable according to number of regular employees. The occupational health and safety act ohsa is ontarios cornerstone legislation for workplace health and safety. The ministrys three program responsibilities are delivered from a head office in toronto and 19 offices. Joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative.
Nov 25, 20 the ontario ministry of labour announced on nov. The ministry of labour has a guide to the occupational health and safety act open with chrome as well as an occupational health and safety act. Produced by the occupational health november 2005 and safety branch, ministry of labour. Empty binder for occupational health and safety act and regulation for mines and mining plants binder edition, regulation 854. Workplace safety and insurance act, 1997 and regulations. The ministry s three program responsibilities are delivered from a head office in toronto and 19 offices organized around four regions, centred in ottawa. Learn what you can do to prepare for an upcoming ontario ministry of labour construction health and safety inspection blitz. Specific legislation against violence and harassment bill 2 was introduced in ontario in the fall of 2016, so 2017 marked the first full year of it being in effect. The ontario occupational health and safety act ohsa has been the backbone of health and safety regulations in ontario s workplaces since 1979, with todays version based on significant amendments made in 1990.
Health and safety ontario ministry of labour about the ministry news releases employment standards health and safety labour relations. Act first safetys working at heights program is approved with the ontario ministry of labour. The ministry of labour has a guide to the occupational health and. The ministry of labour and its agencies are responsible for employment equity and rights, occupational health and safety, and labour relations. Awareness of ontario s ministry of labour aggressiveness in enforcing occupational health and safety rules and prosecution for noncompliance. Role of the ontario ministry of labour health and safety inspector, fact sheet 200601. The range of potential sanctions under ontarios occupational health and safety act are vast and, on its surface, potentially ominous for even the most minor of ohsa infractions.
The ministry of labour, training and skills development issues guidance. Hard hats, safety glasses, and safety boots, for instance, are designed to prevent or reduce the severity of injury if an accident occurs. Ontario labour ministry to instill mandatory safety training. In 2007 the ministry of labour mol released two musculoskeletal disorders msds prevention resource documents developed by the occupational health and safety council of ontario ohsco. The ministry of labour, training and skills development advances safe, fair and harmonious workplace practices that are essential to the social and economic well. Ministry of labour mol, the workplace safety and insurance. The regulations relate to a range of subjects including, for example, specific requirements for specific types of workplaces industrial establishments, construction sites, mines and health care facilities, farming. The ministry of labour is responsible for labour issues in the canadian province of ontario the ministry of labour and its agencies are responsible for employment equity and rights, occupational health and safety, and labour relations. Board wsib, and the health and safety system partners. Safety blitz targets cause of top workplace injuries ontario. The ministry of labour is responsible for employment and labour issues for most workers in ontario.