In collaboration with public health partners, the ministry played a key role in developing workplace health and safety / infection prevention and control guidance to support the reopening of Ontario’s businesses through COVID‑19. In addition, through the Open for Business initiative, the ministry is committed to supporting the growth of Ontario’s economy and creating workplaces that are healthy and safe.footnote 77[77] Prevention Works supports the government’s Open for Business efforts in several key ways, including by providing the option for businesses to use industry standards when seeking accreditation and recognition through the ministry’s Supporting our Safe Employers program (SOSEfootnote 78[78]), applying a small business lens to OHS through Objective 4 activities, and going digital (for example, through providing e-learning options) where appropriate. The OHS system will also continue to support Ontario’s businesses by making it easier to access OHS services and resources, strengthening our focus on customer service and providing compliance assistance so businesses can better adhere to requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
