Posting and Training Requirements

The Ontario government is committed to protecting workers' rights, and their health and safety in the workplace. To ensure that workers are aware of their rights, employers are required, by law, to post certain documents. Some employers may also be required to conduct an annual review of their Workplace Hazardous Material Information System operations.

What workplaces are affected?

The Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) apply to most workplaces in Ontario. Learn more about what workplaces are not covered:

• by the ESA
• by the OHSA
• by the WSIA

The provincial Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) regulation under the OHSA does not apply to federally regulated workplaces such as banks, post offices and airports. Instead, certain sections of the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations implement WHMIS in these workplaces. For more information about how WHMIS is enforced see the WHMIS guide.

What has to be posted in the workplace?

Posters sold by private companies DO NOT COMPLY with the requirements of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) or the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) or the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA). Read the Employer Alert ...

What You Should Know About The Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000

Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), employers are required to display the most recent version of the Minister of Labour's poster,"What You Should Know About The Ontario Employment Standards Act", in at least one conspicuous location in the workplace.

The poster outlines employees' rights and employers' responsibilities at work. It is available online for free and can be printed on legal-size paper for posting in the workplace. Publications Ontario will also provide copies of the poster, charging only for shipping and handling.

More about employment rights and responsibilities...

Occupational Health and Safety Act

Under to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Employers are required to post a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act in their workplaces. 

The act is available online for free. It is also available from Publications Ontario for a cost of $8, plus GST (the online ordering search code is 111759).

Health and Safety Policy

The OHSA also requires employers to prepare and review, at least once a year, a written occupational health and safety policy, and to develop and maintain a program to implement that policy. The policy must be posted in the workplace.

The Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act has detailed information about how to prepare a health and safety policy.

More about health and safety...

In Case of Injury--1234

Under a regulation of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), employers are required to prominently display the poster entitled "In Case of Injury--1234" in their workplace. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) issued a news release [ 49kb / 1 page ] about the poster.

This poster is provided free of charge to employers directly by the WSIB. Employers can get the poster online or by calling the WSIB at 416-344-1016 or 1-800-663-6639.

More about workplace safety and injuries...

What about training?

The Ministry of Labour does not provide recommendations for specific training providers. Read the Employer Alert...

You may wish to consult one of the sector-specific safe workplace associations (SWAs) designated by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

What is the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System?

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is a Canada-wide system designed to give employers and workers information about hazardous materials used in the workplace. The provinces and territories have incorporated the national standards into their occupational health and safety legislation and regulations, and are responsible for enforcement.

Under WHMIS, employers in workplaces with hazardous materials, are required to identify those materials, ensure that proper data sheets on the materials are readily available and containers are properly labelled, and to make sure that employees are properly trained in handling and use of the materials.

Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act and the WHMIS regulation under the act set out requirements. The act and regulation are enforced by Health Canada designated provincial Ministry of Labour inspectors at provincially regulated workplaces. For federally regulated workplaces such as banks, post offices and airports, inspectors of Human Resources and Social Development Canada will enforce the WHMIS requirements.

Learn more about WHMIS and find out how it is enforced by the Ministry of Labour.

What about WHMIS training and review?

Training in the WHMIS is not required every year. However, certain employers are required to conduct an annual review to determine whether worker re-training is required.  Re-training may be required if new materials have been introduced into the workplace, or if workplace conditions have changed or new information on a hazardous material is available.

The review must be done in consultation with the joint health and safety committee (if the workplace has one), or with the health and safety representative.  These reviews are designed to highlight the need for training at the appropriate time. There is no prescribed "schedule" for such training.