Health and Safety Requirements for Small Business

Store window with "Yes, We're Open" sign

Running a small business takes a lot of time and work.  Knowing what to do and where to look to meet health and safety requirements can be confusing.   This Safety Starter guide simplifies everything you need to ensure worker safety and meet the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.

All Workplaces

Post a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Post a copy of Health and Safety at Work

For more information, get our Free Health and Safety Checklist

1 or More Workers

Post a copy of In Case of Injury

Have every worker complete Basic Health and Safety Awareness training

Everyone who supervises a worker must complete Basic Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness training

Provide a first aid kit and train at least 1 worker in first aid

Teach your workers about the hazards of the job and how to do it safely. Let us help with Safety Starter Plus

6 to 19 Workers

Develop and post the following (use these free templates to create your own):

Workers at the workplace must select a Worker Health and Safety Representative to carry out additional health and safety additional health and safety duties.

Develop written procedures to implement the policies. Let us help with Safety Starter Plus

Free Health and Safety Resources

We have collected free resources to help save you time and take the guesswork out of what you need for workplace health and safety.  These resources are also available for free on the Ministry of Labour Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) and Workpale Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) sites.

Mandatory Health and Safety Awareness Training for Supervisors & Workers

Ontario small business entrepreneurs must ensure supervisors and workers complete an awareness training program as soon as practicable.  The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development offers a free e-learning and a hard copy workbook.  The Safety Starter Plus program includes these requirements plus common job-specific hazards and safe work practices.

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