In Ontario, there are laws that aim to ensure the right of workers to a healthful and safe workplace. These laws cover the responsibilities of both employers and workers and say when an employee can refuse to work in conditions that may be unsafe.
Employment and Work – Workplace safety
Resources: Workplace safety
Common Questions
See also:
- Employment and Work - Injured workers compensation
The Ministry of Labour has updated its Guide for Joint Health and Safety Committees and Health and Safety Representatives in the Workplace to reflect changes resulting from Bill 160. It has been prepared to help the workplace parties understand some...
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English, Français (français)The Ministry of Labour has updated its Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to reflect changes resulting from Bill 160. It has been prepared to help the workplace parties understand some of their obligations under the Occupational Health...
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English, Français (français)The resources on this page deal with domestic violence when it extends outside the home and spills over into the workplace. Although they refer to British Columbia health and safety regulations and link to B.C. organizations, these resources may be...
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EnglishThis electronic resource explains the law on hundreds of employment-related topics and provides commentary on leading decisions of courts and labour tribunals. Each heading is followed by a discussion and case summaries, with links to complete texts...
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EnglishThis is a website of information, contacts, and resources meant to assist health practitioners in providing care to migrant farm workers, primarily in Ontario. It has Frequently Asked Questions...
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EnglishPrevention is the Best Medicine is a toolkit designed for settlement agencies and others to teach newcomers to Ontario about (1) occupational health and safety (OHS), and (2) workers' compensation. Included are sample lesson plans and slide...
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EnglishIn a question-and-answer format, this article looks at topics such as who can initiate a refusal to work, what an employer should do if a worker refuses unsafe work, and the role the government plays in refusals.
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EnglishOn its home page, this website has a toll-free phone number and a "get help" form for free assistance finding information on your employment rights. You can also browse its pages on labour standards, holidays, hours of work, leaves of absence,...
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EnglishPart of the Know Your Rights series, this factsheet looks at what training and licensing you need to work as a security guard and what the eligibility requirements are for a license. It also discusses basic rights such as minimum wage, breaks,...
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English, Tamil (தமிழ்)This page on the Ministry of Labour website is for young workers (ages 15 to 24) to acquaint them with their rights at work. Topics it covers are Payday; Getting Paid; Working Time, Rest and Eating periods; Overtime; Public Holidays; and If You Lose...
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English, Français (français)This section of the Ontario Ministry of Labour web site has information in multiple languages about health and safety in the workplace. Some of the topics covered are:
Chemical Hazards / Dangerous Substances / Workplace Hazardous Materials...
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English, Français (français)This web site has links to information in a number of languages about working in Ontario, on topics such as employment rights, filing a claim, and how employees are protected. Users can search for information by topic or by language.
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English, Français (français)The Ontario Ministry of Labour has a YouTube channel with information about the Employment Standards Act (ESA). There are videos about rights under the ESA, making an employment standards complaint, fall safety and prevention, workplace violence and...
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EnglishThe Work Smart Ontario web site provides information for young and new workers about safety in the workplace and how to be treated fairly.
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English, Français (français)This webinar looks at the kinds of psychological injuries the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) recognizes. It describes how to determine the right entitlement to request at the WSIB, how to gather proof of a work-related psychological...
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EnglishThis page on the Ontario Ministry of Labour's website has a video on what workplace violence and workplace harassment are, how to prevent them, and how the law deals with them; resources, such as a brochure, fact sheet, and guidelines; links to the...
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English, Français (français)This fact sheet lists the differences between an employee and an independent contractor and explains the rights of each. It includes information on what workers can do if they are concerned about their rights.
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English, Français (français), Chinese (中文), Farsi/Persian (پارسی ), Hindi (हिन्दी ), Portuguese (português ), Somali (Afsoomaali), Spanish (español), Tamil (தமிழ்), Urdu (اردو)In this webinar, Zahra Dhanani, Legal Director for the Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC), looks at Bill 168, legislation on violence and harassment in the workplace that comes into force in June 2010. The...
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EnglishPrepared for young and new workers in the province, this introduction to employment standards covers protection for workers and worker responsibility. It explains what legislation covers young and new workers, their rights and responsibilities as...
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English, Français (français)Articles include:
Case & comment: Fraser v Attorney General Ontario
In the press
Protective eyewear
Mission statement
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English
