Ontario Workplace Health and Safety Policy Requirements
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Does your workplace have a health and safety policy? If they don’t, they need one – it’s the law. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) Section 25(2)(j) clearly states:
“An employer shall: prepare and review at least annually a written occupational health and safety policy and develop and maintain a program to implement that policy;” In this article, we discuss: |
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Best Practice Advice:
Write the policy in clear, plain language and have the highest signing authority in the company sign it.
Write the policy in clear, plain language and have the highest signing authority in the company sign it.
What is the Difference Between a Policy and a Program?
As stated above, workplaces in Ontario require both a policy and a program.
A policy is a general statement of the rules and principles that guide action. They’re usually brief (one page is ideal for framing and posting – more on that later). CSA Standard Z1000-14 Occupational Health and Safety Management defines a [health and safety] policy as “overall intentions and direction of an organization related to its [health and safety] performance.”
If a policy is the “what,” the program is the “how.” Its goal is to support the policy statements and ensure they’re supported through action.
A policy is a general statement of the rules and principles that guide action. They’re usually brief (one page is ideal for framing and posting – more on that later). CSA Standard Z1000-14 Occupational Health and Safety Management defines a [health and safety] policy as “overall intentions and direction of an organization related to its [health and safety] performance.”
If a policy is the “what,” the program is the “how.” Its goal is to support the policy statements and ensure they’re supported through action.
What Does my Policy Need?The policy statement should mention:
Write the policy in clear, plain language and have the highest signing authority in the company sign it. Most organizations frame their health and safety policy and post it where it is highly visible to both staff and clients. In fact, Under the Act, the policy must be posted in a conspicuous location. Section 25(2)(k) states “post at a conspicuous location in the workplace a copy of the occupational health and safety policy;” |
Need help getting started?Let the expert consultants from MidSouthWest Training and Consulting help you create a strong and effective health and safety policy. Our services are customizable – we can adapt an existing policy, work with you to create a foundation or look after it entirely. The choice is yours – all you need to do to get started is call us at 289-309-1143. |
Do I need to Review the Policy?Yes! As per the Act, you must review it at least annually. However, you may have cause to review it more often. Why?
Do you need help reviewing your health and safety policy? Contact us today. |
Who Should Write the Policy?
That all depends. Sometimes Employers like to write them as they feel it’s their responsibility to their workers. Other times, employers delegate a health and safety representative within the organization. Often, organizations choose to outsource the creation of this important document to health and safety professionals, such as those at MidSouthWest Training and Consulting, because there is a lot to consider before getting started on the writing.
Before you decide who will write your policy, consider these questions:
If you’re struggling to answer these questions, or if writing isn’t in your wheelhouse, call us. You do not have to go it alone. MidSouthWest Training and Consulting can help.
Before you decide who will write your policy, consider these questions:
- What is the goal of the safety program?
- When confronted with conflicting priorities or allocation of limited resources, does safety get more importance? Equal importance? How is this decided?
- Is safety the responsibility of line management or staff management? Who is accountable?
- What benefits does management expect to derive from an effective program?
- Who will be assigned responsibility for coordinating activities?
If you’re struggling to answer these questions, or if writing isn’t in your wheelhouse, call us. You do not have to go it alone. MidSouthWest Training and Consulting can help.
Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting
Need help getting started? Let the expert consultants from MidSouthWest Training and Consulting help you create a strong and effective health and safety policy. Our services are customizable – we can adapt an existing policy, work with you to create a foundation or look after it entirely. The choice is yours – all you need to do to get started is call. You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs.
To ask questions, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.
To ask questions, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.
Last updated September 27, 2022
