Topics and Publications: Health and Safety
- Content last reviewed: May 2013
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Health and safety publications are also available from ServiceOntario Centres (not all titles are available) and ServiceOntario Publications
The OHSA and its regulations are available from: ServiceOntario Publications and e-Laws (Legislation | Regulations).
Alternate accessible formats available on request.
Resources by Topic
Certification
Does the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) require your workplace to have a Joint Health and Safety Committee? If so, the OHSA generally requires that at least two members — one representing the employer and one representing workers - be “certified” members of the committee.
Chemical Hazards / Dangerous Substances / WHMIS
- Anhydrous Ammonia - Engineering Data Sheet
- Asbestos Hazard in Vehicle Brake Repairs – Alert
- Garage Ventilation Engineering Data Sheet
- Abrasive Blaster Dies of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Alert
- Workplace Beryllium Exposure - Alert
- You and Chemicals in the Workplace - Alert
- Explosion Hazards in Dispensing Products Containing Toluene – Alert
- Hazards in Hardwood Floor Installation and Finishing – Alert
- Flammable Vapours from Polyethylene (Packing) Foam – Alert
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS): A Guide to the Legislation – Guide
- Solvent Recovery Equipment – Engineering Data Sheet
Construction
Construction projects should be safe workplaces. Workers, supervisors and employers are all responsible for safety. Construction site safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Diving
- Delta P Hazards (ΔP) in Diving Operations– Fact Sheet
- Diving – Alert
- Diver Critically Injured When Suit Over Inflates – Alert
- Commercial Diving Safety – Fact Sheet
- Commercial Diving Safety – Poster
Electrical Hazards
- Photovoltaic Systems – Alert
- Transformer Grounding – Alert
- High Gear Switchgear Repairs – Alert
Explosion and Fire Hazards
- Tire Machines - Alert
- Explosion Hazards in Dispensing Products Containing Toluene - Alert
- Explosion – Sewer Construction Using a Laser Device - Alert
- Flammable Vapours from Polyethylene (Packing) Foam - Alert
- Gasoline Tank Removal - Alert
- Hazards in Hardwood Floor Installation and Finishing - Alert
- Welding on Containers - Alert
- Anhydrous Ammonia - Engineering Data Sheet
- Solvent Recovery Equipment - Engineering Data Sheet
Fall Hazards
Falls from heights and same-level falls result in a significant number of worker injuries.
Workers are at risk of falling in any workplace.
Firefighters
Flu
- Flu and Your Workplace – Information Bulletin
- Just Clean Your Hands – Hand Hygiene Program
- I want to wash my hands
– Brant Community Healthcare System
Guarding / Lockout
- Dough Mixers - Alert
- Equipment Blocking - Alert
- Guard Against Conveyor Injuries!
[132 Kb] – Poster
See also: Accessible HTML Version - Machine Shop Lathes: Entanglement Hazards During High-Speed Polishing - Alert
- Loading Dock Safety Practices [223 Kb] – Poster
See also: accessible HTML version - Vine Pulling Machines on Farms – Alert
- Wood Splitters – Alert
Health and Community Care
Health and Community Care includes workplaces such as hospitals, long-term care homes, homes for residential care, nursing services, supported group living residences and independent support residences (group homes), treatment clinics and specialized services, laboratories, and professional offices and agencies.
Heat Stress
Heat stress can happen when hot, humid conditions and physical activity overcomes your body’s natural cooling system. You might suffer cramps and fainting, or even serious heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke can kill quickly.
Internal Responsibility System
Joint Health and Safety Committees
Lifting Equipment
Workplaces that operate lifting devices, including forklifts and personnel lifts, may expose workers to potentially serious physical hazards.
Logging/Forestry
Musculoskeletal Disorders / Ergonomics
Every day we use our muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints to lift, carry, sit, stand, walk, move and work in a variety of ways. However, sometimes these tasks or the way we do them can put too much demand on our bodies, causing pain and discomfort. In addition, it may lead to a more serious injury called a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).
Noise Hazards
Occupational Exposure Limits
Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) restrict the amount and length of time a worker is exposed to airborne concentrations of hazardous biological or chemical agents.
There are OELs for over 725 substances set out in Regulation 833 Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents and O. Reg 490/09 Designated Substances under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Occupational Health Hazards and Illnesses
Occupational illness normally develops over a period of time because of workplace conditions. Such conditions might include exposure to disease-causing bacteria and viruses, for example, or to chemicals or dust.
Personal Protective Equipment
- Anhydrous Ammonia – Engineering Data Sheet
- Personal Protective Equipment: Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines for Farming Operations in Ontario – Guideline
- What are the legal requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE)? – FAQs
- Mining Sector
- Personal Protective Equipment [132 Kb] – Poster
See also: Accessible HTML Version
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Industrial and Health Care Sectors
- Personal Protective Equipment Safety – Poster
Pre-Start Reviews
Prevention
We are ALL responsible — employers, supervisors and workers — for preventing workplace illness and injury. Get involved now! Your search for workplace health and safety information starts right here...
Radiation Hazards and Protection
The Radiation Protection Service (RPS) is administered under the direction of the ministry. It is Ontario’s primary source of expertise on all matters concerning exposure to radiation, whether regarding nuclear facilities or veterinary dental X-ray machine installation.
All ministry resources on radiation – including alerts, guidelines and reports – can now be found in one convenient location.
Role of the Ministry
- The Ministry of Labour and its Role – Frequently Asked Questions
- A Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act – Part Vlll: Enforcement – Guide
- A Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act for Farming Operations – Chapter 8: Enforcement – Guide
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS): A Guide to the Legislation – Chapter 9. WHMIS and the Ontario Ministry of Labour – Guide
- Fatalities and Immediate Response (FAIR) Policy – Brochure
- Multi-workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee
- Nuclear Generating Facilities
- Occupational Health and Safety Inspections: What You Should Know
Scaffolds / Window Washing
- Access Equipment Safety – Poster
- Davit Alarm System Failure – Alert
- Elevating Work Platform Safety in Construction – Fact Sheet
- Guidelines for Multi-Point Suspended Scaffolds – Guideline
- Ladder Safety in Construction – Fact Sheet
- Suspended Equipment Safety in Construction – Fact Sheet
- Suspended Work Platform Safe Use, Maintenance & Inspection – Alert
- Safety on Swing Stages – Video
- Window Cleaning: Guideline for the Design, Installation and Use of Fall Arrest Anchor Points, Tie-Back Anchor Points and Primary Support for Suspended Equipment Systems – Guideline
Storage and Material Handling
Workplaces with racking and storage facilities may contain potentially serious hazards. The improper use, selection and installation, or maintenance of racking and storage systems may put workers at risk of injury.
Temporary Help Agencies
Temporary help agencies provide employees to client businesses that require staff on temporary assignments. This could be for short-term jobs that last for a few days or weeks, or long-term assignments that can last for several months or years.
Learn about the rights and rules that apply to assignment employees, temporary help agencies, and clients of temporary help agencies.
Ventilation
- Ventilation Inspection and Report for Health Care and Residential Facilities – Guide
- Garage Ventilation – Engineering Data Sheet
- Explosion Hazards in Dispensing Products Containing Toluene – Alert
- Hazards in Hardwood Floor Installation and Finishing – Alert
- Flammable Vapours from Polyethylene (Packing) Foam – Alert
- Solvent Recovery Equipment – Alert
- Anhydrous Ammonia – Engineering Data Sheet
- Gasoline Tank Removal – Alert
- Abrasive Blaster Dies of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Alert
- Underground Mining: Ventilation – Fact Sheet
- Mine Ventilation Safety – Poster
Workplace Violence / Workplace Harassment
Everyone should be able to work without fear of violence or harassment, in a safe and healthy workplace. Violence and harassment in the workplace are not tolerated in Ontario.
Young Workers
Every day in Ontario, an average of nearly 50 young workers under age 25 are injured or killed on the job.
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