In Ontario, 95% of businesses have fewer than 50 employees and 40% of workers are employed by small businesses.footnote 21 The OHS system knows that small businesses are the engine that keeps Ontario’s economy moving. In 2022-2023, the OHS system delivered prevention initiatives to small businesses that provided information and resources specific to their needs. These efforts led to higher small business participation in OHS incentive programs that provide rebates and other awards.

Objective 4 key performance indicator: % of HSEp members that are small businesses (fewer than 50 workers)

Starting at: 36% (2021)

Target: 50% by 2024

The WSIB’s Health and Safety Excellence program (HSEp) helps employers make their workplaces healthier and safer. The KPIs for Prevention Works Objective 4 measures the degree to which small employers are successfully participating in HSEp. This in turn indicates small employer interest in and capacity to achieve HSEp program standards.

System Small Business Study

This three-year study is led by the WSIB, the Institute for Work and Health and Ontario’s SWAs. The study seeks to understand the needs, motivations and experiences of small businesses. The goal is to identify effective approaches to deliver OHS services and improve OHS culture.

Study participants receive:

  • free access to tailored health and safety services, training and support from system partners through HSEp WSIB premium rebates
  • non-financial recognition for their workplace health and safety improvements each year they participate in the program

As of March 31, 2023, almost 200 employers were enrolled in the study.

The Smaller Business Initiative

Smaller employers (1-99 full-time equivalent) represent 53% of WSIB-registered employers. They have a disproportionately higher number of fatalities and lost-time injuries compared to larger employers. The WSIB recognized that smaller employers could benefit from additional financial support to help them invest in health and safety. This led to the launch of the Smaller Business Initiative in May 2022.

Program summary as of March 31, 2023

  • 868 smaller employers have enrolled in the program.
  • In addition to regular rebates, smaller businesses earned an additional $5.1 million in rebates between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
  • The WSIB has extended the Smaller Business Initiative until the end of 2024.

Small Business Health and Safety Training Program

Ontario’s Small Business Health and Safety Training Program launched in 2021. It continues through to the end of March 31, 2024. As of March 2023, 3,255 learners registered for training and 2,300 learners have completed the Health and Safety Representative eLearning course. The ministry granted $27,000 in reimbursements that have been distributed to participating employers.

As of March 2023, the training was delivered by four participating health and safety associations. Work is underway to expand delivery mode and provider options to increase access to the program. Employers will be able to seek reimbursements until July 15, 2024.

Please see Appendix C for additional information related to supporting OHS in small employers in 2022-2023.

Footnotes