Employers in Canada have clear legal duties when it comes to workplace health and safety training. These obligations exist under both federal and provincial legislation, and they apply to every industry and every workplace. Understanding what training is required, who must receive it, and how to document compliance is essential for meeting your legal responsibilities. This article outlines the core training obligations that employers must meet across Canada, with special attention to the federal jurisdiction and Ontario’s requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
The General Duty to Train Workers
Across Canada, every jurisdiction requires employers to ensure that employees have the necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision to perform their jobs safely. This general duty is the foundation of workplace health and safety legislation. Whether your workplace is federally regulated or falls under provincial law, you must provide the training needed to protect workers from known hazards and to help them carry out their tasks without risk to themselves or others.
This basic obligation means that training is not optional. It is a legal requirement that employers must meet, and it applies from the first day an employee starts work. The content of the training will vary depending on the nature of the work, the hazards present, and the worker’s specific role. But the duty itself is universal.
Federal and Provincial Training Requirements
Federally Regulated Workplaces
Under the Canada Labour Code, employers in federally regulated sectors – such as banking, telecommunications, interprovincial transportation, and federal Crown corporations – must establish and maintain health and safety committees or cause workers to select at least one health and safety representative. These committees help identify hazards and make recommendations for training. The Code also requires employers to provide workers with the information, instruction, and training necessary to ensure their health and safety.
Federally regulated employers must also provide training on workplace harassment and violence. Every jurisdiction in Canada requires employers to provide training on workplace harassment and/or violence to all workers. In the federal jurisdiction, this obligation is set out under Part II of the Canada Labour Code. Workers must receive this training, and employers must document that it has been provided.
Provincial and Territorial Requirements
Each province and territory has its own occupational health and safety legislation. While the specifics differ, the core training obligations are similar. For example, in Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires employers to provide basic occupational health and safety awareness training to all workers and supervisors. This training is mandated under Regulation 297/13.
Regulation 297/13 under the OHSA requires an employer to ensure that all workers complete basic occupational health and safety awareness training. This training covers topics such as workers’ rights and responsibilities, the role of health and safety committees, hazard recognition, and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). Supervisors also need separate awareness training that covers their specific duties under the Act.
Beyond basic awareness, workplaces in Ontario covered under the OHSA must also provide training specific to the hazards present in that workplace. This includes WHMIS training for workers who handle or may be exposed to hazardous materials, as well as training on workplace violence and harassment. The OHSA requires every employer to provide information and instruction to workers about the risks of violence and how to prevent and respond to it.
Mandatory Training Topics Across Canada
Although the exact list of required training varies by jurisdiction, several topics are mandatory in nearly every Canadian workplace. Employers should be aware of these common training requirements:
- Worker and Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness: Basic awareness training that covers rights, responsibilities, hazard identification, and the internal responsibility system.
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS): Training on the classification of hazardous materials, labeling requirements, and safety data sheets. This is required wherever hazardous products are present.
- Workplace Violence and Harassment: Every jurisdiction in Canada requires employers to provide training on workplace harassment and/or violence to all workers. This includes information about policies, reporting procedures, and prevention.
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA): In Ontario, nearly all workplaces must provide AODA training to employees on accessibility standards and how to serve people with disabilities.
- Job-Specific Hazard Training: Employers must provide training on the specific hazards that workers will encounter in their daily tasks. This might include lockout/tagout, confined space entry, fall protection, or equipment operation.
Employers should also note that mandatory employee training in Canada often includes health and safety training as a fundamental component. It is not enough to simply hand a worker a handbook. The training must be effective and must be refreshed as needed.
Employer Responsibilities for Delivering Training
Employers have a general obligation or duty to ensure that the health and safety of every person employed by the employer is protected while they are working. This duty extends to making sure training is provided, that workers attend and complete it, and that they apply the knowledge gained in their daily tasks. Upskilling your workforce is part of ongoing compliance.
Employers must also maintain records of the training provided. If an inspector from the Ministry of Labour (or the equivalent provincial authority) visits your workplace, they will ask to see evidence that workers have received the required training. Keeping clear records of training dates, topics, and attendee names is a critical part of meeting your obligations.
Another important responsibility is to ensure that supervisors have the training they need to fulfill their duties. Supervisors play a key role in enforcing safety procedures and in providing on-the-job instruction. Under the OHSA, supervisors must complete specific awareness training that outlines their legal duties.
Consequences of Not Meeting Training Obligations
Failing to provide the required health and safety training can have serious consequences. Under the OHSA, employers can face fines, orders to stop work, and even prosecution. In the federal jurisdiction, penalties can be equally severe. Beyond legal penalties, a lack of training can lead to workplace injuries, increased workers’ compensation claims, and reduced productivity.
Employers should view training not just as a legal obligation but as a key part of building a strong safety culture. Workers who understand the hazards they face and how to control them are more likely to work safely and to report concerns before an incident occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What training is mandatory for employees in Canada?
Mandatory training varies by province and territory, but nearly every jurisdiction requires basic health and safety awareness training, WHMIS training (where hazardous materials are present), and workplace violence and harassment training. Employers must also provide training specific to the hazards present in their workplace, such as fall protection or confined space entry.
Can my employer make me do training in my own time in Canada?
Employers have a duty to ensure that workers receive necessary training, and generally, this training must be provided during paid working hours. Workers should not be required to complete mandatory health and safety training on their own time without compensation. Check your provincial employment standards for specific rules about paid training time.
Does OHSA set training requirements?
Yes, the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario sets specific training requirements for workers and supervisors. Regulation 297/13 requires both groups to complete basic occupational health and safety awareness training. The Act also requires employers to provide information and instruction on specific hazards and on workplace violence and harassment.
Does your workplace have to pay you for mandatory training?
Yes, in most cases, employers must pay workers for time spent in mandatory health and safety training. This is considered work time. If the training is required by law, the employer cannot deduct pay or require the worker to attend outside of paid hours. Always verify with your provincial employment standards office for the rules that apply to your situation.
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