Work as an occupational health and safety inspector

Learn how to become an occupational health and safety inspector for the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and what to expect on the job.

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Entering the workforce for the first time or making a career change along the way presents individuals with unique challenges and concerns.

If you’re considering working as an inspector for the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, this page can help you understand the:

knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the job responsibilities
working environment and conditions
recruitment process and training

It may also help you complete the mandatory application form.

We are looking for motivated, skilled and knowledgeable candidates who are able to adapt to the demands of the work and work environment. It is our goal to provide a balanced overview of the job of an Inspector. We believe that a candidate, equipped with all the information regarding the position and the organization, can make an informed decision. This in turn helps us to hire the person who understands, accepts and is motivated and prepared to perform all aspects of the job.

Overview of the ministry and the Fair, Safe and Healthy Workplaces Division

Health and Safety

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) sets out the rights, duties and responsibilities of all workplace parties. Its main purpose is to protect workers by creating safe and healthy workplaces. The OHSA sets out the minimum requirements that workplaces must follow in order to establish and maintain the internal responsibility system. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development through its Occupational Health and Safety Act program:

enforces the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations
provides information and education to employers and employees, making it easier for people to understand and comply voluntarily
investigates complaints and addresses possible violations in a progressive enforcement approach
conducts proactive inspections of workplaces for compliance with the OHSA and regulations
investigates worker injuries and fatalities in the workplace

Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act

The Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act came into effect on January 1, 2022, replacing skilled trades and apprenticeship legislation and establishing Skilled Trades Ontario, a crown agency responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification in Ontario. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has oversight of the legislation and regulations, and is responsible for compliance and enforcement, including:

enforcing authorization requirements for individuals practicing a compulsory trade and for persons who may be engaging or otherwise employing them
providing information and education to employers and employees, making it easier for people to understand and comply voluntarily
investigating complaints and addressing possible violations in with a progressive enforcement approach

Employment Standards

Employment standards are enforced under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) which sets out the minimum standards that employers and employees must follow. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development through its Employment Standards Program:

enforces the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and its regulations
provides information and education to employers and employees, making it easier for people to understand and comply voluntarily
investigates possible violations
resolves complaints
conducts proactive inspections of payroll records and workplace practices

Regulators Code of Practice

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has a long history of demonstrating its commitment to resource stewardship, ethics and values. A foundation of core values governs how we manage ourselves and how we interact or relate to our fellow employees, clients, partners and the citizens of Ontario. This has been documented in the Regulator’s Code of Practice (July 2011). The Code is a formalization of the high level of professionalism already practiced by MLITSD Fair, Safe and Healthy Workplaces Division staff. It will form part of your training with us should you be successful in the job.

Offices and regions served

Find a list of offices and the regions they serve

Eligibility and qualifications for an inspector

Eligibility

minimum 18 years of age
legally eligible to work in Canada

Mandatory qualifications

valid Class G Ontario Driver’s Licence
for designated bilingual positions, French language oral communication skills
ability to travel extensively, respond to after-hour calls and work evenings and weekends as part of regularly scheduled work
oral and written proficiency in English

For mining electrical/mechanical positions, applicants must have Journeyman Electrician status (construction and maintenance).

For mining surface and underground and mining electrical/mechanical positions, applicants must have:

underground hard rock common core, or basic underground soft rock common core (one of the following applicable underground common core programs P770010, P770130, P770121, P770225, P770131 and P770141)

For mining surface and plant position, applicants must have:

applicable surface common core program (P770210)

Other qualifications

In addition to the mandatory requirements outlined above, you must possess certain experience, knowledge, skills and abilities. The key qualifications for the occupational health and safety inspector are:

Technical knowledge

Working knowledge and practical experience in a broad range of workplaces/processes/equipment, depending on the sector that you are applying for (see below for a detailed list of sectors).
Working knowledge of a broad range of health and safety hazards and controls associated with chemical, biological and physical agents.
Working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Building Opportunities for the Skilled Trades Act and relevant regulations.
Knowledge of other standards and legislation relevant to the appropriate sector, for example, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Designated Substances.

Communication and interpersonal skills

Well-developed listening and communication skills to promote compliance, provide advice and consult with a client.
Ability to accurately document and convey confidential and sensitive information.
Demonstrated experience in report writing.
Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with clients and direct them to a logical or appropriate course of action.
Ability to deal with contentious, adversarial and emotionally-charged work situations, including respect for differing interests and conflicting priorities.

Analytical and organizational skills

Reasoning, evaluative and analytical skills to interpret information, assess compliance with legislation, regulations, policies and standards and determine strategies/actions(s) to be taken.
Ability to interpret, apply, explain and enforce legislation.
Ability to conduct inspections and investigations, including interviewing and handling evidence.
Sound planning and organizational skills to coordinate your workload.
Knowledge of or experience with legal, court, or quasi-judicial procedures.

Other important skills

Knowledge of computer information technology, computer databases and software packages.
Blueprint reading skills (especially for construction)
Ability to work evenings and weekends as part of regularly scheduled work.
Ability to work after hours and on holidays as part of regularly scheduled work.

List of sectors

Industrial sector (type of workplace in this sector)

agriculture
automotive
ceramics, glass and stone
chemical, rubber and plastics
construction premises
correctional institutions
education
electrical and electronics
farming
film and TV
fire
fishing
food, beverage and tobacco
government
industrial services
live performance
logging and sawmills
offices and related services
police
primary metals
pulp and paper
restaurants
retail
textiles and printing
tourism, hospitality and recreational services
transportation
utilities
vehicle sales and service
wholesalers
wood and metal fabrication
long-term care homes
homes for residential care (for example, retirement homes)
hospitals
nursing services
group homes
treatment clinics and specialized services
professional offices and agencies
emergency medical services

Mining sector (type of workplace in this sector)

assay laboratories
diamond drilling
mills
oil and natural gas
open pit mines
quarries
sand and gravel pits
refineries
smelters
surface plants
underground mines

Construction sector (type of workplace in this sector)

asbestos operations
industrial, commercial and institutional
residential
roads
underground
utilities
window cleaning
other construction

Health care sector (type of workplace in this sector)

health care long-term care homes
homes for residential care (for example, retirement homes)
hospitals
nursing services
group homes
treatment clinics and specialized services
professional offices and agencies
emergency medical services
medical manufacturing and labs

Electrical/mechanical sector (type of workplace in this sector)

aggregate and hard-rock mining operations
underground hoisting plants and lifts
surface and underground mining
electrical and mechanical operations
mining equipment and machinery
Ontario Electrical Code

Employment Information

Benefits

As an employee of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the occupational health and safety inspector is entitled to the full range of benefits provided to classified Ontario Government employees. This benefits package includes:

supplementary health and hospital insurance (covers many expenses not covered by OHIP, including prescription drugs, etc.)
vision care and hearing aid plan
dental coverage
short term and long term sickness plans
basic life insurance and supplementary life insurance (optional)

Employees are also entitled to vacation and leaves of absence and are enrolled in the Public Service Pension Plan and the Canada Pension Plan.

In addition to the general benefits package, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development also has a contract with an outside Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers a wide range of confidential, short-term counselling, advisory and information services to employees and their eligible family members. Employee Assistance Programs are designed to assist individuals with personal problems that can affect their work life, family life and general wellbeing. Included in the Ministry’s EAP service is post-traumatic stress counselling, which can be particularly beneficial for employees who have handled a difficult fatality or critical injury investigation.

Salary progression

New employees are hired at the minimum of the wage scale and eligibility for salary progression is based on performance in the position and is subject to salary administration provisions in the collective agreement. Review the job ad for wage scale for this position.

Probationary period

There will be a nine-month probationary period during which there will be ongoing tests and monitoring of performance to determine suitability for continued employment.

Transportation

As indicated in the mandatory qualifications section candidates are required to have a valid Ontario driver’s licence. Generally employees assigned to fieldwork drive a government-owned or leased vehicle. It should be noted that employees who drive Ministry vehicles must comply with Revenue Canada’s rules with respect to taxable benefits.

Demands and challenges of the job

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has conducted a task-specific functional evaluation for the job of occupational health and safety inspector. This functional evaluation addresses the physical environment, the psychological environment and the hours of work.

Accommodation for applicants with disabilities will be in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

The physical environment

Occupational health and safety inspectors visit a wide variety of workplaces and deal with many different activities. In the process, they sometimes traverse rough, ungraded, icy, wet, slippery terrain, access obstructed and confined spaces, scale stairs or fixed, vertical ladders and access large, bulky machinery via widely spaced foot and handholds, the use of which requires physical strength, coordination and agility. Inspectors may be exposed to seasonal weather conditions, extreme heat and dust from furnaces, radiance from coke ovens, nauseating smells, noise and mechanical vibrations. They may also be required to visit the head office of a company where the work environment will be business-like and professional. Finally, inspectors may also spend considerable time in a courtroom or formal hearing room environment.

The psychological environment

Occupational health and safety inspectors work autonomously, under general supervision. The work is self-paced, with a moderate but steady level of urgency. In a situation of a serious injury, fatality, work refusal, or other investigation, the degree of urgency may increase substantially. While conducting investigations or resolving disputes, the inspector may need to deal with irate, distraught or hostile people, but has the option to withdraw from situations with potential physical violence. Inspectors will also experience competing demands for their time and information. Inspectors will need to balance the need to focus on the job at hand in the field with the need to keep their manager and senior management informed about serious and high-profile events.

Hours of work

Hours of work are governed by the collective agreement. The normal hours of work for this position are 36.25 hours per week with a requirement to be available for 7.25 hour work periods during days, evenings and some weekends. When an event occurs (for example, a work refusal, serious injury or fatality), or when workplace conditions change (such as in logging operations), inspectors may be required to complete the investigation and therefore extend the workday past the regular 7.25 hours, with appropriate compensation.

Inspectors are expected to participate in a local after hours rotation to respond to any urgent situation, such as a serious accident or work refusal under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Inspectors may also be required to participate on special inspection and investigation initiatives that may involve evening or weekend work on a periodic basis and may require travel outside of their normally assigned territory.

In the normal course of their duties, the occupational health and safety inspector does the following:

stands
walks
sits
drives a car
picks up a briefcase and carries it
ascends and descends stairs
reads, writes and converses in English (and French for bilingual positions)
climbs ladders or steps up and down off machinery and equipment
bends and crouches
lifts items to be used as evidence and carries same short distances
pushes or pulls to test structures
lifts notebook computer and uses to type reports, etc.
handles documents and files
uses a telephone
answers questions and makes oral presentations

Not all the above functional demands occur every day, but inspectors may meet any combination of these demands on any given day.

Recruitment process

Interviews may be held virtually and in person. If virtual, we will be using Teams or other technology. If in person, we will attempt to schedule the interview at the location of preference or at a local ministry office.

Candidates will be required to attend the ministry office to complete security clearance documents, provide personal identification or for onboarding documentation. This will be done in the safest of manners.

For any questions, please contact us.

There are six main steps in the recruitment process for occupational health and safety inspectors which can take up to 4 months to complete. At each step of the process, applicants will be notified as to whether they have passed or not passed that step.

Step 1: Application

Applicants are required to submit an application form. Applicants should review and follow all instructions outlined in the application form for completing and submitting applications.

As part of the application process, applicants are asked to select and rank up to two locations for which they would be willing to accept employment if offered. If there is only one location available for the competition, please indicate that location as an acknowledgement of where you agree to work. If you are offered a position, depending on the distance between your residence and the office area, you may be required to relocate to the office area.

If you are re-applying for the position of occupational health and safety inspector, please indicate this on your application. There are no exemptions from the processes of this recruitment if you have applied in the past due to changes in our recruitment tools.

If you are applying for more than one program please indicate on your application so we may process your application accordingly.

Step 2: Screening

Application forms that are correctly completed and submitted before the deadline are reviewed and screened, and those applicants whose experience, skills, knowledge and abilities best meet the job qualifications and requirements are selected for the next phase of the recruitment process.

Step 3: Performance-oriented structured interview

Applicants who pass the screening criteria will be invited to the behavioural interview to determine if they possess the required behavioural competencies needed to perform the role of the occupational health and safety inspector. This interview is approximately 75 minutes in length and is conducted by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development managers.

Step 4: Technical interview and written assignment

Applicants who pass the performance-oriented structured interview will be invited for a technical interview with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Skills Development managers. The interview will focus on relevant technical knowledge and skills. Following the technical interview, applicants will complete a written assignment.

Step 5: Security clearance

In accordance with the Ontario Public Service Employment Screening Checks Policy, the top candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced security screening, which includes a criminal record check, and a driver’s record check (at the time of hire).

You will be responsible for obtaining the criminal record check at your own expense and providing it, along with your written consent, to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), HR Service Delivery Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional screening checks as indicated in the Additional Information/Address section that were not obtained directly by you. (Note: If a Vulnerable Sector Screening/Check is required, it must also be obtained in person at your local police service.)

A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual’s screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Screening check records will be maintained by the Transition and Security Office and kept strictly confidential.

For candidates who currently work within the OPS, we will review the security clearance requirements as they relate to the individuals current and this position to determine what process is required.

Step 6: Reference checks

At the technical stage, you will be asked to submit the names of three referees from current and past employment. When selecting your referees, make sure that you choose people who have supervised your work and can speak knowledgeably about your work performance. If the Ministry is considering you for a position, up to three referees will be contacted.

Additional steps

If you are being considered for a bilingual position, you will be required to demonstrate that you have advanced oral French language skills by providing a valid certificate or passing testing. We will provide the testing when required.

Please note that if you are successful and are an Ontario Public Service (OPS) employee, an employee corporate file review will be completed.

If you are successful

If you are a successful candidate, we will contact you with a verbal offer of employment. If you accept, we will send you an appointment letter that will include information such as your start date, position classification and starting salary. Job offers are conditional upon successful enhanced security screening checks.

Orientation and mandatory training for new employees

The newly hired Occupational health and safety inspector is provided with an orientation to the Ministry to become familiar with the Ministry’s goals, policies and objectives. The intent of the Orientation process is to help new employees get a good start, settle into the job more quickly and efficiently and feel part of the team from the very first day.

Following orientation, new hires undergo an intensive mandatory 5-6 month training program that is both virtual and in class. New hires will not be excused from any part of mandatory training. The formal training will be held virtually with periods of field experience where the new Inspector will work alongside an experienced Coach Inspector. New Inspectors are tested and reviewed on their knowledge and newly acquired skill sets as they progress through their probationary period. The probationary period is nine (9) months in duration.

Courses include but are not limited to the following:

Occupational Health and Safety Act
Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act
policy and procedures
order writing and investigation skills
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
prosecution policy and methods
Provincial Offences Act

Additional sector-specific training depends on the position for which you are hired and will specifically include one of the following:

industrial regulations training
construction regulations training
mining regulations training

Questions about the job answered by inspectors

What are the most interesting aspects of the job? What do you like the best about the job of an occupational health and safety inspector?

I enjoy the variety of workplaces and processes that I get the chance to see. Every day you’re in a unique environment. One day it might be a pop manufacturer or a shipbuilder, the next day it could be the steel industry, a cigarette factory, or be a worksite involved in diving, demolitions or explosives.

You get a great opportunity to learn about many different industries and types of work. We get to see work environments that most of the general public will never see unless they work in one of them. It’s a great job for inquisitive people who like to learn about a lot of things.

I enjoy the flexibility and the autonomy. We get to plan our own work and set our own priorities. There isn’t a rigid structure. You set your own schedule to make sure you get the job done.

Sometimes it’s hard to change attitudes about health and safety, but by doing your job as an Inspector well, you know the workplace is safer for employees.

I really enjoy the investigative aspect of the job. It’s always a challenge piecing things together. Sometimes you need to look at seemingly unrelated circumstances and events to reach a conclusion and then write up your report with recommendations.

I enjoy the aspect of the job that allows me to interact with other agencies, like the police, the Coroner’s Office, engineers, fire officials and other specialists.

What are some of the challenges of an occupational health and safety inspector’s job?

A fatality in the workplace is a stressful aspect of the job. We’re never the first there, but if it’s an obvious fatality, the body will still be there when we arrive. You can’t be squeamish in this job. We’re not like the police, we don’t see that many fatalities therefore, you never get used to it.

Some work environments can be pretty bad. We have to go into dirty, smelly and noisy plants and factories. We also do inspections on slaughterhouses which can be pretty awful, especially if you’re at all squeamish.

There are situations where you will be dealing with employers or workers who can be quite rude or hostile. You need to be able to be polite and patient with these people while they vent.

If you are a new Inspector, employers and the Health and Safety Officers in some workplaces will test you and put you through your paces. Some are hostile and will try to challenge you but there are also some who try to be very cooperative.

We don’t enforce the Occupational Health and Safety Act. There are at least twelve pieces of legislation we need to be familiar with. It’s hard to know it all and sometimes you won’t have needed to use a piece of legislation for weeks or months. You need to read up on legislation all the time.

This is a job which can be very lonely at times as we have laptops and virtually conduct most of our work from our vehicles and there is very little reason to visit the office. This removes an obvious opportunity for interaction with other inspectors with whom you can share ideas or problem-solve.

What will help a new employee be successful in this job?

Credibility and earning respect is everything in this job. Many of the workplaces we go into are still male-dominated and they will challenge you and put you through your paces to see what you know about their type of work. For example, if you’re going onto a construction site you’d better know something about construction, and the industries can be even tougher since there are so many different types. Employers expect you to be able to ‘walk the walk, and talk the talk’.

The most important thing for this job is ‘good people skills’. You need to be able to get people to talk to you. You need to be fair but firm, and tell them that you’re not going away until you’ve been able to do your job. It’s important to be able to explain the legislation and explain the ramifications to them if they don’t comply with you.

You need to be reasonable so people can talk to you.

Work experience in a variety of different work environments is a plus.

You need to develop professional, positive working relationships with clients. This is especially true in the Industrial Sector because you are in and out of the same workplaces all the time, dealing with the same people.

You need self-confidence. There are some employers and workers who will try to manipulate you. You need to be able to stand your ground and do your job.

What things could cause problems for a new employee?

Poor people skills or if you are a ‘know it all’. The thing about this job is you don’t know what you don’t know until you’re on the job trying to do it. We interpret and apply the legislation, but we’re not ‘experts’ in every type of workplace or process. If we need assistance we can call a subject expert, like an engineer, a hygienist, or a lawyer.

Some people thrive on confrontation. 25% of visits will be confrontational, but if the Inspector becomes confrontational it just creates problems for everyone.

You won’t be successful in this job if you are closed minded and not objective.

People who lack diplomacy or who let power go to their head will only escalate situations. We are authority figures and must exercise this responsibility properly.

We need to be neutral, not biased for the employer or the employees. You can’t go in and take sides or help with one party’s agenda.

You need to be able to listen to suggestions and take criticism and you must be a team player.

What are some of the differences between the sectors (i.e., industrial, construction and mining)?

Technology is changing very rapidly in the Mining sector. Therefore, it is important to keep up to date on potential hazards associated with new technology.

In the Construction sector, inspectors tend to spend more time in court. Issues are generally resolved more quickly and we tend to give more tickets. It’s the nature of the work that goes on. If there is a problem, it’s identified and fixed so the work can continue.

In the Construction sector the people we deal with appear gruff upfront, but they are under a lot of pressure to get the work done. They tend to be less aware of or knowledgeable about the Act so we have to work with them to increase their understanding.

The workers in the Mining sector are very knowledgeable in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, so you need to be prepared to be challenged by both sides in the workplace regarding your decisions and interpretation of the Act.

In the Industrial sector, particularly in larger plants, workers tend to be quite knowledgeable about the Act and Regulations and will challenge you at times on your interpretation of the legislation.

What advice would you give someone who was applying for an occupational health and safety inspector position?

Inspectors are Government officials so it’s important to remember to be sensitive and choose your words carefully. A sense of humour can help establish rapport with clients but you must be careful that what you say isn’t misinterpreted. You must also be politically correct at all times.

It is important to listen to all sides of an issue before making any decision.

When you are on-call, which is voluntary, you need to be prepared to respond to all situations. This could mean that you get called out to industrial, construction and mining situations even though your key role is in just one of these sectors. (Note: On-call in some areas is mandatory.)

Credibility is really important in this job. If you don’t have a background in construction, industry or mining, it can be really difficult and you will be challenged by employers in the workplace.

Don’t take the job home with you. Do a good job when you’re on the job and then let it go. The job can be stressful so you need a break.

Do your job properly and remember that you will need to be able to justify and defend both what you do and don’t do, after you leave the workplace.

Are there any other things a prospective new employee should know?

They need to understand the physical environments we work in. There are times we have to climb ladders, be up on a roof, a crane or a bridge. I’m glad I’m not afraid of heights.

They should know that some of the workplaces we go into are very dirty, noisy and have offensive smells. Sometimes we’re required to crawl around and under equipment to do a proper inspection or investigation.

It’s not unusual to have to walk a fair distance through mud to get to a worksite so you can’t be afraid to get a bit dirty.

We are exposed to the environment — rain, mud, heat and cold. We go into hot factories and are exposed to welding fumes, paint and other manufacturing smells.

I wouldn’t want to be claustrophobic because sometimes you need to go into a furnace that has been shut down for your inspection.

All inspectors are expected to adhere to the elements of the Regulator’s Code of Practice that include:

Service standards

On initial contact with a client, an inspector, investigator or auditor will:

introduce themselves and the ministry they represent
identify the statutory authority for the inspection, investigation or audit
provide general information regarding the inspection, audit or enforcement process
provide a contact number should further information or feedback be required

1. Honesty and integrity

Conduct duties in such a manner as to inspire confidence and respect for the position of public trust held by Fair, Safe and Healthy Workplaces Division staff.

Intent: Staff will not engage in activities that are, or could appear to be, incompatible with their responsibilities and duties, or call into question their objectivity, integrity and impartiality. They will conform to the OPS Conflict of Interest Guidelines and identify situations of potential, actual or perceived conflict of interest.