At IHSA, we recognize that the health and safety needs of independent operators and small business owners are not the same as those of large firms. That's why we have developed tools and resources specifically for you. We'll break down the legislation and tell you exactly what you need to do to protect yourself, your workers, and your business.
We created this area of the website for you—workers, supervisors, and owners of small businesses. We want to help you to understand your specific obligations under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. We also want to ensure that you know where to get the information you need to work safely and comply with the law.
In this section, you'll find documents that outline your legislative requirements based on the number of employees in your company and the type of work you do, along with steps for creating your company's health and safety policy and program. You'll also find information about two certificate programs IHSA offers specifically for independent operators and small business owners.
IHSA My Health and Safety Program
The IHSA My Health and Safety Program is a web-based health and safety management system that is complemented by a web-based e-learning course called Health & Safety Program Essentials. The e-learning course is for people who have little or no experience with health and safety. It will provide you with the foundation you need to effectively manage health and safety for your business. The IHSA My Health and Safety Program is based on the 19 elements of effective health and safety management listed below. You are able to develop, share, and build on your health and safety program.
Elements of Effective Health and Safety Management
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Mandatory WSIB coverage in Construction
Effective January 1, 2013
Starting in 2013, nearly everyone who works in Ontario's construction industry MUST have workplace safety and insurance coverage from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB.) This means big changes for construction business owners, contractors, and subcontractors.
Learn more from the WSIB on what the new legislation means for you. Download the flyer or visit www.beregisteredbeready.ca
Independent Operator and Small Business Certificates
IHSA offers two health and safety e-learning certificates: one for independent operators and one for small businesses that employ up to 19 workers.
These certificates provide health and safety awareness training that you can complete at your own pace in your home or office. Whether you are an independent operator or a small business owner, having this awareness training will give you the edge on bidding for jobs and will ensure that you and your workers are aware of the common workplace hazards and how to control them.
Health and Safety Resources for Your Business
About this Section
If you are a one-person business, then you are an independent operator. That means it's your responsibility to take care of yourself because without you, there is no business.
About this Section
Congratulations! Your business has grown to the point that you hired a few people. Now you move from being an independent operator to an employer and small business owner. As an employer, it is your responsibility to take reasonable precautions to protect your workers from injury or illness on the job.
About this Section
When you are an employer with more than five employees, you may need to start formalizing some of your processes. You may have workers at different jobsites, which means you can't be with them all the time. This is when training becomes even more important to ensure that everyone understands how to get the job done safely.
About this Section
When your company reaches the point where you have 20 or more employees, you may start functioning like a larger firm. You probably have formal administrative processes in place, along with supervisors, certified health and safety representatives, and joint health and safety committees. With 20 or more workers, having an effective health and safety management system becomes critical to protecting workers from injury and illness.
Roles and Responsibilities
Sections 25, 26, 27, and 28 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) outline the legal responsibilities of workplace parties to protect all workers and employers in Ontario. Everyone must work together to control hazards, protect themselves, and protect others. The OHSA provides the following definitions of the workplace parties and their responsibilities.
Employer (sections 25 and 26): a person who employs one or more workers or enters into contract for the services of one of more workers.
Responsibilities include
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Supervisor: (section 27): a person who has charge for the workplace or authority over a worker.
Responsibilities include
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Worker (section 28): a person who performs work or provides services for monetary compensation.
Responsibilities include
- using or wearing equipment, protective devices, or clothing as required by the employer
- reporting to the employer or supervisor any known, missing, or defective equipment or protective devices
- working in compliance with the OHSA and related regulations.
e-Learning Courses
IHSA offers the following e-learning courses to give you the flexibility of enhancing your health and safety knowledge entirely online. Some of these courses make up the Health and Safety Certificates described above. Click the links below to find out more about each online course.
- BILL 168: Achieving Compliance
- WHMIS Refresher
- Due Diligence for Supervisors
- Workplace Inspections
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Awareness
- Joint Health and Safety Committees (Ontario)
- Incident Investigation
- Developing Workplace Violence & Harassment Policies (Ontario)
- Workplace Hazards: Identification, Assessment and Control