Health and safety at work
Workplace health and safety is about identifying and preventing hazards that could lead to injury, mental and physical illness and fatalities at work.
Strong workplace health and safety practices help to manage risk for employers and workers. The benefits include higher productivity, healthier workplaces, better recruitment and retention, and fewer fines and work interruptions.
Notify the ministry
Report an incident or illness
Learn how to notify the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and your health and safety committee if there is a workplace incident or illness, including those resulting in death, injury or occupational illness.
You may also need to report injury or illnesses to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
File a health and safety complaint
File a complaint if you have a workplace health and safety or workplace harassment concern. Workers have legal protections against reprisals by their employers for reporting health and safety concerns.
See also: procedure for a work refusal
Forms for other notices and registrations
Health and safety planning
The Occupational Health and Safety Act
Learn about theOccupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), or read the guide to the OHSA for detailsabout the rights and duties of employers, supervisors, workers, constructors and owners and their roles in establishing a strong internal responsibility system (IRS) in the workplace.
Health and safety for small businesses
Learn about your responsibilities as a small business employer and how to get help keeping your workplace safe.
Posters required in the workplace
Download posters and find out what you must post in the workplace by law.
Training
Get information about health and safety training to help keep workplaces safe.
Health and safety committees and representatives
Use this guide to establish strong roles and clear procedures to support health and safety in your workplace.
Occupational health and safety inspections and investigations
What to expect when a health and safety inspector from the ministry visits your workplace, their powers and what to do if you disagree with their decision.
Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers Program
Learn how to be recognized as one of Ontario’s safe employers.
Workplace hazards
Learn about the process for dealing with hazards in the workplace to protect the health and safety of workers.
Answers to common questions
Volunteers
Learn about tips and best practices to stay healthy and safe when volunteering in Ontario.
Minimum age for work
Learn about the minimum age to work in certain industries and visit certain workplaces in Ontario.
Procedure for a work refusal
Learn about a worker’s right to refuse unsafe work and the procedure that workers, employers and members of joint health and safety committees or health and safety representatives should follow according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Strategy and policy
Prevention works
Read the five-year strategy for Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety System.
Ontario’s occupational health and safety system
Learn about the organizations and committees that work to keep Ontario workers safe.
Fatalities and immediate response policy
Learn how the Ministry ofLabour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development will communicate with families of workers who have been fatally injured in the workplace.
Updates
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay updated on current news from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Consultations
See the consultations directory or the regulatory registry for consultations.
