STARTING YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM
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100-CAG-01-IGDO © 2025, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | WSPS.CA
Health Care Program
Provide first aid facilities, including a staff person trained in first aid, in accordance with the Ontario
First Aid Regulation 1101 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. Also consider pre-placement
medical and regular medical tests when required by regulations under OHSA (s.26(1)(h)(i)).
Communications
Management's involvement, interest, concern and belief in the workplace health and safety program
must be demonstrated and clearly communicated to everyone. It must be quite clear to your supervisors
that operation cannot compromise safety. Employees must not be placed in a situation where there
is conflict between safety and production. Use personal contacts, toolbox talks, group meetings, job
training and positive behaviour reinforcement to encourage safe operations.
Training
Under OHSA, you have a legal responsibility to provide information, instruction and supervision to
protect the health and safety of workers (s.26 (1)(l)).
Train all workers so that they know and understand:
How to recognize hazards and associated risks
The safety procedures and precautions they have to follow
Their legal responsibilities
Studies indicate that workers in the first months of their employment are involved in a disproportionate
number of accidents. It is also safe to assume that damaged goods, lost time, rework and other loss-
producing incidents occur with higher frequency during the early months of employment. This is a clear
indication of the need for adequate health and safety orientation of new employees.
You must also ensure that supervisors are competent when appointed, that is, that they have knowledge
of the work, of OHSA and the regulations that apply to the work, and of potential and actual dangers to
health and safety in the workplace (s.1(1)). Training for supervisors is equally important.
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