Overview

Each year, we strategically schedule sector-focused compliance campaigns to:

We provide advance notice of these campaigns to affected sectors. Each campaign begins with an education, outreach and compliance support phase led by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and Health and Safety Associations, helping workplaces prepare for potential inspections. Individual workplaces are not notified in advance of an inspection.

We post the results from provincial campaigns online. The campaigns are intended to raise awareness of workplace hazards and promote compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations.

Focus of campaigns

Our inspectors are responsible for enforcing the OHSA and its regulations at workplaces across the province. We decide on the focus of campaigns using a risk-based process. This process considers:

  • injury, illness and fatality rates
  • compliance history
  • the nature of the work (for example, hazards that come with the job)
  • current events
  • the vulnerability of the workers
  • emerging strategic priorities
  • advice from stakeholders and field intelligence

The focus of campaigns can be on specific sectors, hazards, issues or topics.

Inspectors are not limited to inspecting only the topics identified in the campaigns. They can apply the OHSA and its regulations to the situations they find at each workplace they inspect.

Inspectors’ findings may influence how often individual workplaces are inspected in the future. Inspectors may also refer employers to health and safety associations for assistance and training.

Health and Safety Representative (HSR) and Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)

HSRs and JHSCs are essential components of Ontario’s occupational health and safety system. They play a key role in creating and maintaining safe workplaces by:

  • conducting monthly inspections
  • making recommendations to improve health and safety conditions
  • holding regular meetings (JHSC only)
  • obtaining information about tests conducted for the purpose of occupational health and safety
  • being consulted and having a designated member present at the beginning of tests conducted for the purpose of occupational health and safety

These activities support the Internal Responsibility System (IRS), which emphasizes shared responsibility among workplace parties for health and safety.

What inspectors look for

During proactive workplace visits, ministry inspectors will verify the presence and effectiveness of a HSR or JHSC. As appropriate, inspectors may:

  • verify that a HSR or JHSC is in place where required, confirm that members understand their roles and that the appropriate number of members are certified
  • review the JHSC composition, meeting frequency, and workplace inspection schedules
  • examine meeting minutes and follow up on any unresolved or recurring issues
  • ensure compliance with posting requirements for mandatory health and safety documents
  • confirm the establishment of a worker’s trade committee (WTC) where required
  • assess the number of trades participating in the WTC relative to the total number of trades at a project, and verify that the WTC meets independently of the JHSC
  • confirm that effective communication exists between the WTC and the JHSC to raise and address any health and safety concerns

Requirements by workplace size and type

  • 1–5 workers: No HSR is required. No JHSC is required unless a designated substance regulation applies.
  • 6–19 workers: One HSR is required, selected by workers. If a designated substance regulation applies, a JHSC is required.
  • 20–49 workers: JHSC is required and must have at least 2 members (at least half must have no managerial function).
  • 50+ workers: JHSC is required and must have at least 4 members (at least half must have no managerial function).
  • Farming operations: A JHSC is required if 20 or more workers are regularly employed and have duties related to mushroom, greenhouse, dairy, hog, cattle or poultry farming.
  • Construction projects: JHSC is required if 20 or more workers are regularly employed and the project lasts 3 months or longer.

If there are 50 or more workers and the project lasts 3 months or longer, a Worker Trades Committee must also be established. A Worker Trades Committee represents workers in each trade, with members selected by the workers themselves or by their union. Their primary role is to communicate the health and safety concerns of trade workers to the JHSC.

Employer/constructor responsibilities

Employers, or constructors at construction projects, must ensure that all required documentation, training, and committee activities comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

For detailed guidance, visit the ministry’s Guide for health and safety committees and representatives.

Vulnerable workers

Some workers may face greater exposure to occupational hazards depending on the type of work they do and the conditions they work in. Protecting vulnerable workers is a priority within Ontario’s health and safety prevention system.

“Vulnerability” in a workplace depends on many individual factors, including:

  • age
  • literacy level
  • physical and mental ability
  • job experience

Workplace factors, such as hours of work, employment stability and hazards also play a role.

According to an Institute for Work & Health (IWH) Study, workers with one or more vulnerabilities are at a greater risk of injury and tend to receive far less occupational health and safety training.

Factors that contribute to worker vulnerability

A vulnerable worker may be a recent immigrant, young worker, new worker, temporary foreign worker, precariously employed worker or temporary help agency worker, among others. The following factors increase a worker’s vulnerability:

Low socioeconomic status

Individuals with financial instability or precarious employment, such as those performing temporary or freelance work, often have limited bargaining power or representation and may be more prone to exploitation.

Low literacy and limited training

People with low literacy levels or those who lack specialized skills may have fewer employment options and may be more susceptible to unscrupulous employers.

Language barriers

Workers who have limited proficiency in the dominant language spoken in their workplace may have less awareness of their rights and/or ability to communicate their health and safety concerns.

Immigration status

Undocumented workers or those with temporary immigration status may be hesitant to report workplace violations due to fear of reprisal or deportation.

People facing discrimination

Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, or people with disabilities may face discriminatory practices and/or harassment that make them vulnerable to exploitation.

Labour trafficking

It is important to note that workers with vulnerabilities may be particularly susceptible to labour trafficking. Ministry inspectors have been trained to identify labour trafficking practices in workplaces during their inspections.

Learn more about labour trafficking and how to get help.

Addressing vulnerable workers during campaigns

During campaigns, inspectors will ensure employers are providing all workers with information, instruction and supervision in occupational health and safety.

Inspectors will ensure that the training:

  • is provided in a way that workers can understand, given language and other barriers
  • sets clear expectations for how workers are to carry out tasks
  • teaches workers how to use equipment available to them

Some campaigns and initiatives include specific resources to help support vulnerable workers.

Construction sector campaign

From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, we will conduct a health and safety campaign focused on single-family residential and multi-family residential construction projects.

Single-family residential and multi-family residential

Phase 1: Compliance assistance

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

The ministry will partner with the IHSA, as well as industry experts, to produce a series of resource materials for common activities, associated hazards, and control measures on a residential project.

Phase 2: Focused inspections

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Rationale for campaign

The construction sector in Ontario is a driver of economic growth. This campaign is focused on single-family residential construction, including residential re-roofing, and multi-family residential, which represents the largest percentage of construction work in the province.

Campaign focus

The ministry’s Construction Health and Safety Program (CHSP), along with Prevention Division and the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA), will continue to collaborate to address the hazards and control measures associated with the common activities on single-family and multi-family residential projects.

The data has identified there are often contributing factors that lead to a hazard or event. This focus will look at the overall activities and addressing all issues instead of looking at a single task in isolation.

Inspections

Inspectors will focus on all activities of the residential project, particularly focusing on the issues that lead to higher sources of events and injuries, such as, but not limited to:

  • working at heights
  • movement of equipment and material around site
  • set up and use of scaffolding
  • installation of stairs and handrails
  • set up and use of ladders
  • excavation and trench protections
  • housekeeping
  • adequate information, instruction and supervision

Inspectors will have a secondary focus on supervision and complacency on residential projects during this campaign.

Resources and compliance assistance

Small businesses

Small businesses, defined as ones with less than 50 workers, represent 97% of all construction businesses reported in December 2025 by Statistics Canada. 63% of construction businesses reported having less than 5 workers.

Small business owners have limited time and resources to:

  • know and understand the OHSA requirements and responsibilities
  • identify hazards and how to control them
  • find resources that they can use to develop and implement a health and safety program to keep their workers safe

Health care sector campaign

From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, we will conduct a health and safety campaign focused on the Internal Responsibility System (IRS).

Internal Responsibility System campaign

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) establishes legal requirements that provide a foundation for the internal responsibility system (IRS). The IRS is a system within an organization in which everyone has a responsibility for workplace health and safety that is appropriate to one’s role and function within the organization.

This campaign includes education, awareness, and enforcement. Online resources are available to assist workplaces to set up or improve their IRS. Among the health and safety associations, the Public Services Health and Safety Association works with Ontario’s health and community care sector to provide training, consulting, and resources to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses.

Ministry inspectors will look for evidence of a strong IRS and a properly functioning Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or Health and Safety Representative (HSR) where required.

Phase 1: Compliance assistance

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

The ministry will partner with Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA) to host webinar(s) on the campaign and provide compliance assistance resources.

Phase 2: Focused inspections

Dates: April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027

Rationale for campaign

The IRS helps support a safe and healthy workplace. In addition to the workplace parties' compliance with their legal duties, the IRS is further supported by well-defined health and safety policies and programs.

Campaign focus

This campaign aims to:

Ministry inspectors will look for evidence of a strong IRS relating to:

  • the duties and responsibilities of workplace parties
  • training, including Awareness Training
  • notices and reports

In addition, inspector will look to ensure the internal check on the IRS by reviewing the functioning of the HSR/JHSC.

Health care sector inspections will take place at a variety of health and community care workplaces, including:

  • hospitals
  • long-term care homes
  • group homes
  • retirement homes
  • treatment clinics and specialized services
  • professional offices and agencies
  • home health care

At workplaces where the Health Care and Residential Facilities regulation applies, inspectors will check that the employer has:

  • established written measures and procedures in consultation with the JHSC or HSR
  • reviewed the measures and procedures at least annually, and revised these as required considering current knowledge and practice
  • provided training to workers

Small business

There are close to 50,000 businesses in Ontario’s health and community care sector as reported in December 2025 by Statistics Canada. From that total, 95% are small businesses with fewer than 50 workers. Almost all health practitioner offices and medical and diagnostic laboratories are small businesses, and these businesses are the majority of small businesses in the health and community care sector.

In companies with fewer than 50 workers, owners may have limited time and financial and human resources to develop and implement a health and safety program. The following links provide various tools to assist small businesses in setting up their prevention programs and keeping their workers safe:

Ministry inspectors may provide other awareness and compliance assistance resources during their workplace visits.

Addressing vulnerable workers

According to a Government of Canada Job Market report (2025), the health care and social assistance sector continues to face a higher demand for skilled workers, reflecting both growing service needs and evolving workforce pressures. As new workers enter the field, it is important they are supported with the right training, mentorship and resources to succeed, helping them build rewarding careers while delivering high quality care in communities across Ontario.

Some resources to help keep all workers, including vulnerable workers, safe in the workplace include the following:

Resources and compliance assistance

Use these resources to learn more about the IRS and assist workplaces to set up or improve the IRS.

Ministry resources

Public Services Health and Safety Association resources

Health Care Section 21 Committee

Industrial sector campaign

From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, we will conduct 3 health and safety campaigns concurrently in the retail, farming and agriculture, and education sectors.

Retail

Phase 1: Compliance assistance

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

The ministry will partner with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) to host webinars on the campaign and provide compliance assistance resources.

Phase 2: Focused inspections

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Rationale for Campaign

The retail sector is a key driver of Ontario’s economy, supporting jobs, communities, and supply chains across the province. Retail workers perform diverse tasks—from customer service to stocking and logistics—often in fast-paced environments.

Campaign focus and priorities

Inspectors will focus on the following key priorities:

  • ensuring that employers maintain equipment in good condition
  • material handling concerns including manual material handling
  • keeping floors free of hazards
  • IRS (for example, joint health and safety committee/health and safety representative)
  • training and orientation provided by the employer (for example, supervisor and worker awareness training)

Addressing vulnerable workers

Many workers in the retail sector are young or early in their careers, bringing fresh perspectives as they begin building their skills and experience. As they enter the workforce, providing clear training, supportive supervision and working conditions is key to helping them succeed and work safely. Resources are available to support all workers to promote safe and healthy workplaces:

Resources and compliance assistance

Use these resources to help keep workers safe.

Ministry resources

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services resources

Small businesses

According to Statistics Canada in December 2025, there are over 52,600 businesses in the retail trade sector, over 93% of which are small businesses

Small business owners may lack awareness of the OHSA and hazard identification. They also may have limited financial and human resources to develop and implement a health and safety program which keeps workers safe. Here are some resources to assist small businesses in keeping their workers safe:

Farming and Agriculture

Phase 1: Compliance assistance

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Partners for this campaign are:

  • Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS)

The ministry will partner with WSPS to host webinars on the campaign and provide compliance assistance resources.

Phase 2: Focused inspections

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Rationale for campaign

Ontario’s farming and agriculture sectors are essential to our economy, and this campaign will help protect workers by promoting safe work practices and compliance in one of the province’s most complex and high-risk industries.

Campaign focus and priorities

This campaign aims to:

  • increase knowledge and understanding the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and how it applies to farming operations
  • increase compliance with the OHSA and applicable regulations
  • raise awareness of high hazard activities on farm operations
  • refer employers to WSPS for assistance in complying with legislation
  • refer employers to OHCOW resources (including mental health and heat stress tools)
  • promote a strong internal responsibility system (IRS)

Inspectors will focus on the following key priorities based on data from the last 3 years:

  • ensuring equipment is maintained in good condition
  • ensuring moving parts on equipment that could injure a worker are adequately guarded
  • verifying the safe operation of farming equipment (i.e., tractors, forklifts) and worker training
  • addressing electrical hazards and lock out/tag out
  • controlling the hazard of falling from heights including falls from equipment
  • managing heat stress
  • promoting the IRS
  • training and orientation provided to new workers

Addressing vulnerable workers

Ontario’s agriculture sector is strengthened by a diverse and experienced workforce. With nearly one-third of workers being foreign workers and 44% over the age of 55, the sector benefits from a wealth of global expertise. At the same time, the seasonal nature of work and evolving workforce demographics present an opportunity to further enhance targeted health and safety supports for all workers.

Resources to promote worker safety and well-being:

Resources and compliance assistance

Use these resources to help keep workers safe.

Ministry resources

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS)
Occupational Health Clinic for Ontario Workers (OHCOW)
  • Heat Stress Toolkit

Small businesses

According to Statistics Canada in December 2025, there are approximately 8,000 businesses in agriculture and farming, over 96% of which are small businesses.

Small business owners may lack awareness of the OHSA and hazard identification. They also may have limited financial and human resources to develop and implement a health and safety program which keeps workers safe. Here are some resources to assist small businesses in keeping their workers safe:

Ministry inspectors may offer more resources during the visits.

Education

Phase 1: Compliance assistance

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Partners for this campaign are:

  • Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS)
  • Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA)

The ministry will partner with WSPS and PSHSA to host webinars on the campaign and provide compliance assistance resources.

Phase 2: Focused inspections

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Rationale for campaign

The education sector plays a vital role in preparing Ontario’s future workforce, and this campaign will promote safer workplaces by raising awareness and encouraging compliance with occupational health and safety requirements.

Campaign focus and priorities

Inspectors will focus on the following key priorities:

  • administrative requirements
  • workplace violence and harassment program and policies
  • slips, trips and falls
  • training and orientation of workers
  • joint health and safety committees
  • WHMIS
  • equipment (maintenance, guarding)

Resources and compliance assistance

Small businesses

According to Statistics Canada in December 2025, there are close to 6,300 businesses in the educational service sector, 91% of which are small businesses

  • Small business owners may lack awareness of the OHSA and hazard identification. They also may have limited financial and human resources to develop and implement a health and safety program which keeps workers safe. Here are some resources to assist small businesses in keeping their workers safe:

Ministry inspectors may offer more resources during the visits.

Mining sector campaign

From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, we will conduct a health and safety campaign to focus on energy isolation: lock out tag out in mines and mining plants to ensure that equipment is properly shut down, locked, and tagged to prevent the release of hazardous energy during maintenance or repair work.

Energy isolation: lock out tag out in mines and mining plants

Phase 1: Compliance assistance

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Partners for this campaign are

The ministry will partner with these health and safety associations to:

  • deliver sector-specific webinars before the focused inspections phase starts
  • publish compliance assistance resources and packages

Phase 2: Focused inspections

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Rationale for campaign

The mines, minerals, and aggregates sectors play a critical role in Ontario’s economy. These industries rely on a wide range of energized equipment, including electrical systems, conveyors, and machinery such as prime movers and transmission equipment. Proper lockout and tagging of this equipment is essential to control hazardous energy and prevent its accidental release, which can result in serious injury to workers.

Campaign focus

Inspectors will check that:

  • employers in all mines and mining plants are meeting the requirements set out in sections 158, 159, 185, and 196 of Regulation 854 Mines and Mining Plants which requires energy sources be de-energized, locked out, and tagged before working on equipment
  • workers are trained in lockout tagout procedures and that lockout devices are installed and being used
  • workplaces have measures and procedures or other effective precautions when workers are required to undertake live work

Small businesses

According to Statistics Canada in December 2025, almost 88% of Ontario businesses from mining and quarrying sectors are small businesses.

From a health and safety perspective, small businesses are in a more vulnerable position than larger businesses with more workers. Small business owners often face limited time and resources when it comes to identifying workplace hazards, and often face barriers when implementing effective health and safety measures to keep their workers safe.

Here are some resources to assist small businesses in keeping their workers safe:

Addressing vulnerable workers

Ontario’s mining industry is experiencing an aging workforce, which brings age-related physical demands and raises concerns about labour shortages as experienced workers retire, creating a generational skills gap.

Some resources to help keep all workers, including vulnerable workers, safe in the workplace include the following:

Resources and compliance assistance

Specialized Professional Services campaign

Ergonomists and occupational hygienists of the Specialized Professional Services will support the sector-specific campaigns mentioned above and conduct their own campaigns from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

Occupational hygiene campaign: noise

Prolonged exposures to hazardous sound levels in the workplace may cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL is a preventable occupational illness. Controlling workplace exposures to noise will help lower the risk of workers developing NIHL.

Employers have a duty to take all measures reasonably necessary in the circumstances to protect workers from exposure to hazardous sound levels. The protective measures include the provision and use of engineering controls, work practices, and under certain conditions, hearing protection devices.

Phase 1: Compliance assistance

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Partners for this campaign are:

Phase 2: Focused inspections

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Rationale for the campaign

Noise is a very common hazard found in construction, industrial, mining, health care, and other sectors. Protecting workers from exposure to noise prevents irreversible hearing loss, reduces injuries and accidents, and protects the overall physical and mental health of the workers.

Campaign focus

MLITSD occupational hygienists will conduct proactive inspections to determine compliance with O. Reg. 381/15: Noise in all workplaces where workers are exposed to noise. This includes, but is not limited to, workplaces in the industrial, construction, mining and health care sectors.

More specifically, the inspections will involve:

  • assessing worker exposure to noise and ensuring that no worker is exposed to a sound level greater than the limit in O. Reg. 381/15
  • emphasizing the hierarchy of controls, specifically engineering controls and work practices, in protecting workers from hazardous sound levels
  • evaluating the selection, care, and use of hearing protection devices and ensuring that workers receive appropriate training on the devices
  • ensuring posting of warning signs at every approach to an area where sound levels regularly exceed 85 dBA

Resources and compliance support

Ergonomics campaign: musculoskeletal disorder prevention within the retail sector

From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, MLITSD ergonomic consultants will conduct a health and safety campaign focused on musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention in the retail sector. Inspections will examine for hazards related to the handling, movement and storage of materials within the retail workplace.

Many retail work tasks, such as receiving shipments, un-packing, processing returns, stocking, as well as point of sale, require workers to manually handle loads. This material handling can involve using carts or other transporting equipment, as well as using ladders to access storage.

The goals of the campaign are to:

  • prevent injuries that could arise from the handling and movement of loads in the workplace
  • raise awareness of storage practices and ladder use during material handling that can increase a risk of a fall or musculoskeletal disorder
  • ensure workers have been provided with information and instruction on musculoskeletal disorder hazards specific to retail work activities
  • enhance the internal responsibility system (IRS), especially regarding internal workplace inspections to identify musculoskeletal disorder hazards,
  • ensure workplace parties are complying with the law

Phase 1: Compliance assistance

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Partners for this campaign are:

The ministry will partner with WSPS and CRE-MSD to:

  • promote MSD prevention within retail workplaces
  • deliver a sector-specific webinar to support workplaces in their efforts to prevent MSDs
  • provide MSD prevention resources, including delivering training and sharing tools that can be used in the workplace

Phase 2: Focused inspections

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Rationale for the campaign

The retail sector is important to Ontario, with both small and large employers supporting a large workforce of retail workers. These workers manually handle goods at every step in a product’s journey in the workplace from receiving and unpacking, to stocking, check out and customer delivery.

Campaign focus

Ministry ergonomic consultants will visit retail workplaces and check that workers are protected from MSD hazards. This includes ensuring that workers are familiar with MSD hazards in their workplace and have been instructed on safe material handling practices, including safe ladder use specifically as it relates to the handling of loads. The ergonomic consultants will review the employer’s MSD prevention efforts to ensure the employer has taken every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers, including the employer’s actions to identify and control hazards that can contribute to MSDs in their workplace.

Resources and compliance support

Ministry resources:

Health and safety partners resources:

Related documents:

Small businesses

In Ontario, 95% of businesses recorded by Statistics Canada, as of December 2025, are small businesses with fewer than 50 workers. Over half of total businesses (60%) reported having less than 5 workers.

Small business owners may have limited time, financial and human resources to dedicate to legislative requirements under the OHSA, to identify hazards in the workplace, and to implement measures which protect workers.

The following links provide various tools to assist small businesses in setting up their prevention programs and keeping their workers safe:

Ministry inspectors may provide other awareness and compliance assistance resources during their workplace visits.

Addressing vulnerable workers

Workers may encounter hazards related to poor ergonomics, and there are important opportunities to further support those who may benefit most, such as individuals who are new or young, experiencing age-related changes, or less familiar with these risks. By strengthening awareness and providing practical guidance, workplaces can help address factors like limited experience, evolving physical capacity, and knowledge gaps. Focusing on these areas can help reduce the risk of injuries from repetitive tasks, awkward postures, and improper lifting, while supporting safer, healthier work practices for everyone.

Some resources to help keep all workers, including vulnerable workers, safe in the workplace include the following:

Radiation Protection Services campaign

From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, we will conduct a health and safety campaign to focus on veterinary facilities.

Veterinary Facilities

This campaign focuses on workplace safety within the field of veterinary services. This is a specific area of services that usually involves small businesses and young workers. Veterinary clinics and animal hospitals that primarily deal with the practice of veterinary medicine, dentistry, or surgery for animals will be visited.

Phase 1: Compliance assistance

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Partners for this campaign are:

The ministry will partner with these organizations to host information on the campaign and provide compliance assistance resources.

Phase 2: Focused inspections

Dates: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

Rationale for campaign

Veterinary facility workers play an essential role in animal care and routinely work in dynamic environments that involve a range of occupational hazards. These workplaces account for 60% of all X-ray sources registered with the ministry in Ontario, presenting an important opportunity to support safe practices across the sector and will help expand outreach and engagement.

Campaign focus

This campaign will provide a foundational understanding of the occupational health and safety system and key compliance requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Reg. 861 X-ray Safety.

Emphasis will be placed on radiation safety, covering regulatory standards for installation of X-ray imaging systems, the application process, proper equipment use, exposure limits and protective measures to ensure a safe working environment.

Field visits will also focus on:

  • the requirements for safety and training
  • worker knowledge of safety procedures
  • personal protective equipment
  • exposure to additional hazards such as infectious agents from animal bites and scratches, contaminated medical equipment, chemicals, noise, x-rays, etc.
  • the application of health and safety best practices specific to veterinary workplaces, including strategies for injury prevention, ergonomics, chemical safety and infection control

Resources and compliance support

Small businesses

According to Statistics Canada in December 2025, almost 97% of Ontario businesses from veterinary services sector are small businesses, with less than 50 workers.

From a health and safety perspective, small businesses are in a more vulnerable position than larger businesses with more workers. Small business owners lack time, financial and human resources to be aware of the OHSA, identify hazards, and implement health and safety to keep their workers safe.

Here are some resources to assist small businesses for first steps in keeping their workers safe in the Health and safety for small businesses (MLITSD).MLITSD

Addressing vulnerable workers

According to the 2020 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association workforce study, nearly half (49%) of Ontario clinics reported open positions for veterinarians, and 55% were seeking veterinary technicians. With vacancies taking an average of six months or more to fill, new hires can face heavier workloads, and limited access to mentorship. Some resources to help keep all workers, including vulnerable workers, safe in the workplace include the following: