Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers Program
Learn how to be recognized as one of Ontario’s safe employers.
Overview
Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers (SOSE) is a voluntary Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development program run by the Chief Prevention Officer (CPO). It promotes health and safety in the workplace and helps reduce injuries and illness.
The program is made up of two parts:
- accreditation of an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS)
- recognition of employers who have successfully implemented an accredited OHSMS and meet other criteria set by the CPO
If your organization is recognized by the CPO, you may also be eligible for financial incentives from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
The Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers Program does not affect Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) enforcement by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development at workplaces of recognized employers. Ministry inspectors will continue to perform proactive inspections based on risk. Inspectors will continue to apply and enforce the OHSA, and its regulations.
Find a recognized employer
The Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) has recognized a number of employers across the province who have successfully implemented an accredited occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) and meet other criteria set by the CPO.
Select the name of the accredited OHSMS to see scope.
Who can be recognized
To be eligible for recognition, you must:
- successfully implement an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) accredited by the CPO
- be audited by a third party to verify you’ve successfully implemented your OHSMS
- meet compliance criteria that demonstrates compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act
- demonstrate a commitment to worker participation and the internal responsibility system at the workplace
Use an accredited occupational health and safety management system standard
There are two ways for your OHSMS to qualify for the Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers Program:
Base it on an existing standard
You can base your OHSMS on one of the existing standards accredited by the CPO. If your OHSMS meets one of the accredited standards, you do not need to apply to have it individually accredited.
Get accredited
If you created your own OHSMS that is not based on a CPO-accredited standard, you may apply to have your own OHSMS accredited by the CPO by sending an email request for the application form to SOSE@ontario.ca.
Please indicate “Application request for SOSE Accreditation” in the subject line of the email.
A SOSE Team member will contact you with the appropriate details.
To apply for accreditation, you must:
- ensure your OHSMS meets the requirements in the CPO accreditation standard
- review the OHSMS accreditation application guidelines
- complete the OHSMS accreditation application
Apply for employer recognition
Once you have an accredited OHSMS in place, you can apply for CPO recognition by sending an email request for the application form to SOSE@ontario.ca.
Please indicate “Application request for SOSE Employer Recognition” in the subject line of the email.
A SOSE Team member will contact you with the appropriate details.
To apply for recognition:
- make sure you meet all of the CPO Employer Recognition Criteria
- review the employer recognition application guidelines
- complete the employer recognition application
Once recognized, you must report annually to the CPO to maintain your status. This means you must:
- verify you have completed internal, and when required, third-party audits of your OHSMS
- attest you are continually improving your OHSMS
- maintain all other CPO-required employer recognition criteria
CPO-accredited occupational health and safety management systems
As of November 2019, the CPO has accredited the following standards:
- ISO 45001:2018: Occupational health and safety management systems—Requirements with guidance for use
- CSA Z45001-19: Occupational health and safety management systems—Requirements with guidance for use
- BS OHSAS 18001: 2007: Occupational health and safety management system—Requirements
- IHSA COR™ 2020—IHSA Certificate of Recognition 2020-Health and Safety Management System-Standard
- Responsible Care®—RC14001:2015 - Health, Safety and Environmental Management System
- Responsible Care®—RCMS:2019 - Health, Safety and Environmental Management System
Contact us
Please contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for more information at