Workplace Safety in Ontario
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Canadian workers have three fundamental safety rights:
- The right to know about workplace hazards.
- The right to participate in health and safety decisions.
- The right to refuse dangerous work (section 128) if you have reasonable cause to believe the work is a danger to you or another worker.
Employers must keep the workplace safe. Workplaces with 20 or more employees are required to have a joint health and safety committee. Your employer cannot punish you for exercising any of your safety rights.
When does it apply?
- All federally regulated workplaces.
- Exception: The right to refuse dangerous work does not apply if the danger is a normal condition of your job (for example, a firefighter facing fire).
What to Do If Your Canadian Workplace Is Unsafe
- Report the danger to your supervisor right away.
- If it's not fixed, escalate to the joint health and safety committee.
- Call the Labour Program at 1-800-641-4049 to report unsafe conditions.
- If you're punished for raising a safety concern, file a reprisal complaint within 90 days under section 147.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't walk off the job without reporting the hazard first — follow the proper refusal process.
- Don't assume someone else will report it. If you see a danger, speak up.
- Don't sign safety waivers — you cannot waive your legal right to a safe workplace.
How Ontario differs from federal law
Ontario's workplace health and safety is governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, which is enforced by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- Every Ontario worker has three fundamental rights: the right to know about hazards, the right to participate in keeping the workplace safe, and the right to refuse unsafe work (section 43, OHSA).
- Workplaces with 20 or more workers must have a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). Workplaces with 6 to 19 workers must have a health and safety representative.
- Employers must report critical injuries or fatalities to the Ministry of Labour immediately (by phone) and in writing within 48 hours.
- The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) provides no-fault workplace injury insurance. Injured workers receive benefits regardless of who was at fault. Most Ontario employers must have WSIB coverage.
- If you are hurt at work, you must report the injury to your employer and file a WSIB claim within 6 months of the injury (or learning of the illness).
Additional Steps in Ontario
To report unsafe work conditions, call the Ministry of Labour's Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008. If you are injured, report to your employer immediately and file a WSIB Form 6 (Worker's Report of Injury/Disease). You can also file a work refusal under section 43 of the OHSA — your employer cannot penalize you for exercising this right (section 50, OHSA).
Relevant Law: Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1; Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 16, Sched. A
Common Questions
When does workplace safety apply?
All federally regulated workplaces.Exception: The right to refuse dangerous work does not apply if the danger is a normal condition of your job (for example, a firefighter facing fire).
What should I do if my workplace in Canada is dangerous or unsafe?
Report the danger to your supervisor right away.If it's not fixed, escalate to the joint health and safety committee.Call the Labour Program at 1-800-641-4049 to report unsafe conditions.If you're punished for raising a safety concern, file a reprisal complaint within 90 days under section 147.
What mistakes should I avoid with workplace safety?
Don't walk off the job without reporting the hazard first — follow the proper refusal process.Don't assume someone else will report it. If you see a danger, speak up.Don't sign safety waivers — you cannot waive your legal right to a safe workplace.
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