Backgrounder
Document d'information

05-30
For Immediate Release
March 22, 2005

ONTARIO'S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM

TORONTO--Ontario's occupational health and safety prevention system is a partnership of the Ministry of Labour, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and health and safety associations. This partnership works to create healthy and safe workplaces, with the ultimate goal of preventing all workplace injuries and fatalities. The partners have distinct roles within the system.

Ministry of Labour

The Ministry of Labour is responsible for overseeing and enforcing provincial legislation and regulations with respect to occupational health and safety.

Specifically, the ministry's role is to:

Set, communicate and enforce occupational health and safety standards
Motivate and influence workplaces to reduce or eliminate injury or illness
Create an environment in workplaces where safety, productivity and competitiveness are inter-connected.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

The WSIB oversees Ontario's workplace safety education and training system. It also administers the province's no-fault workplace insurance system for employers and their workers.

As part of this system, the WSIB provides disability benefits, monitors the quality of health care, and assists in the early and safe return to work for workers who are injured on the job or contract an occupational disease.

The WSIB is paid for entirely by employer premiums and receives no funding from the Ontario government. The WSIB's vision is to eliminate all workplace injuries and illnesses in Ontario.

The WSIB is also responsible for promoting, educating and fostering workplace health and safety, and for funding health and safety associations.

In addition, the WSIB:

Develops prevention plans and works with the health and safety associations to set prevention targets and objectives
Motivates and influences workplaces to implement good health and safety programs and practices
Raises awareness of the importance of health and safety, in workplaces and the community
Provides information that will help workplaces achieve successful health and safety programs
Conducts research, analysis, and policy work to support strategic and operational functions
Administers legislated training programs (e.g. First Aid, Certification).

Health and safety associations

Health and safety associations are designated under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, as a safe workplace association, medical clinic, or training centre specializing in occupational health and safety matters.

These associations work to improve health and safety performance of their clients and communities with the aim of making Ontario workplaces the safest in the world. They are funded by the WSIB and also charge for programs delivered to clients. In 2004, the WSIB provided approximately $83 million to 14 associations.

Health and safety associations establish prevention strategies for their sectors, pursuant to standards set by the WSIB. As well, they:

Lead in the development and delivery of injury and illness prevention education, training programs, products and services
Provide audit, consultation and technical services
Raise awareness and provide prevention information
Sponsor conferences and organize seminars
Provide operational expertise to customers
Identify, motivate and influence workplaces to implement good health and safety programs and practices

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Media Contacts:

Belinda Sutton
Ministry of Labour
416-326-7405

Backgrounder Document d'information