Mandatory Worker and Supervisor Awareness Training

April 21, 2014

Ernie Schirru^*

Following an expert advisory panel review of Ontario’s occupational health and safety system, a new Ontario Health and Safety Act (OHSA) regulation has been passed and comes into force on July 1, 2014 making worker and supervisor health and safety awareness training mandatory in all workplaces.

The new awareness training requirements of the regulation will apply to all workplaces covered by OHSA, regardless of workplace size or sector and includes the construction industry. After July 1, 2014, employers will need to ensure workers complete the training as soon as practicable. For supervisors, the training will have to be completed within one week of performing work as a supervisor.

The minimum content of the worker training program set out in the regulation requires instruction on:

• the duties and rights of workers under OHSA;
• the duties of employers and supervisors under OHSA;
• the roles of health and safety representatives and joint health and safety committees under OHSA;
• the roles of the Ministry of Labour, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board as well as health and safety partners;
• common workplace hazards;
• the requirements set out in Regulation 860 relating to Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS); and
• occupational illness, including latency.

The minimum content of the supervisor awareness training program set out in the regulation requires instruction on:

• the duties and rights of workers under OHSA;
• the duties of employers and supervisors under OHSA;
• the roles of health and safety representatives and joint health and safety committees under OHSA;
• the roles of the Ministry of Labour, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board as well as health and safety partners;
• how to recognize, assess and control workplace hazards and evaluate those hazards; and
• sources of information on occupational health and safety information.

The Ministry of Labour has developed products, such as printed workbooks and e-learning modules, which are available for free and can be used to comply with the new regulatory requirements. These materials can be found through the Service Ontario of Ministry of Labour websites and are available in English, French and a number of other languages. The Ministry’s materials are designed to be delivered in approximately one hour. Use of the Ministry’s materials is not, however, mandatory.

Although employers will not be required to submit records of completion of the training to the Ministry of Labour, employers are required to keep records confirming that workers and supervisors have completed the awareness training program for up to six months after the employment of the worker or supervisor comes to an end. As a practical matter, employees may want to consider completing both the worker and supervisor training modules, regardless of their current workplace role. Employees should also print a copy of their “proof of completion” certificates for their own records.

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