Beginning on July 1, 2014, all employers in Ontario must ensure that their workers and supervisors complete a basic health and safety training program ("Safety Awareness Training") to ensure compliance with Regulation 297/13 to the Occupational Health & Safety Act ("OHSA" or the "Act").

Here are five things you need to know about this new requirement.

  1. It applies to all workplaces, regardless of the size or the industry sector. Employers are not exempt just because their workers operate primarily in an office environment.
  2. Keep in mind that the term "workers" is defined broadly in the Act and includes anyone who "performs work or supplies services for monetary compensation." Temporary employees, contractors and other service providers will be subject to OHSA training requirements.
  3. You need to have two Safety Awareness Training modules: one for workers and one for supervisors. Supervisors have enhanced responsibilities under the Act and employers must give them the tools they need to fulfill those responsibilities. The content of the Safety Awareness Training is mandated by Regulation 297/13 and must address certain key topics, such as: the rights and obligations of workers, supervisors and employers under the Act; the roles of health and safety representatives and joint health and safety committees; the role of the Ministry of Labour, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and other similar organizations; an update on common workplace hazards; information on Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and a briefing on occupational illnesses.
  4. This is not exactly a one-time obligation. Although OHSA Regulation 297/13 does not require employers to repeat this Safety Awareness Training on an annual basis, employers must retain records showing that their existing workers and supervisors have completed Safety Awareness Training and must also ensure that any new hires have either already received the training elsewhere or have been provided with Safety Awareness Training. Workers must received the training "as soon as is practicable." Supervisors must receive it within one week of commencing work. Compliance will require ongoing effort and monitoring.
  5. The training requirements will impact how you integrate new employees and contractors into your workplace. You should review and update your on-boarding process for new employees and temporary hires to assist with record-keeping and compliance. You may also wish to consider updating independent contractor agreements and agreements with temporary help agencies to ensure that contractors and staffing agencies undertake to provide their staff with Safety Awareness Training.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.