OCA Construction Safety Checklist

This OCA checklist is intended as a quick overview of your safety obligations. The Ontario Occupational H & S Act along with the construction regulations is the ultimate authority. 

1. Establish a Written Health & Safety Policy & Program where required

The Occupational Health & Safety Act requires employers with more than 5 employees to prepare and review annually a written Occupational H & S policy and develop and maintain a program to implement that policy.(Reference S. 25 2(j) – OHS Act)

2. Ensure that Mandatory Legislated Training is Provided

The Occupational H & S Act – Construction Regulations requires employers to undertake worker training in several areas: i.e. workers exposed to a fall, asbestos, confined space, WHMIS, chainsaws, compressed air, propane, electrical hazards, explosives, traffic control, etc.

To determine required training, go to the Training Requirements Chart (Appendix B) of the IHSA Construction Health & Safety Manual.

3. Submit “Notice of Project” to the Ministry of Labour, Training & Skills Development (MLTSD) for certain projects

Constructors are required to notify the MLTSD before construction begins on any project meeting any of the requirements listed in section 6 of the Regulation for Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91).

Click on the MLTSD website image below to go to their Notice of Project webpage to determine whether your project requires a notice as well as to apply on-line.

4. Registration of Constructors & Employers Engaged in Construction

Each constructor and employer engaged in a construction project in Ontario must complete registration Form 1000. This form must be at the project while the employer is working there. (Reference S. 5 – OHS Construction Regs)

Click on the Ontario Central Forms Repository website image to access the fillable Form 1000 pdf.

5. Provide First Aid Training and First Aid Kits

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB Ontario) requires all businesses covered by the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act to have first aid equipment, facilities and trained personnel in all workplaces.

For more information, visit https://www.wsib.ca/en/firstaid

By law, the WSIB’s “In Case of Injury” poster must be prominently displayed in every workplace. Click on image below to either order or download a poster.

6. Post the Occupational H & S Act and Regulations on site

The Occupational H & S Act and your company H & S policy must be posted in a prominent place at the workplace or in a readily accessible electronic format. (Reference S. 25 2 (i) & (k)  – OHS Act)

A good complementary resource is a Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act published by Ontario.

Copies of the Act are available for purchase at the OCA Offices as well as from IHSA and Publications Ontario.

7. Establish & Post Emergency Response Procedures

Constructors are required to establish an emergency plan before work begins so that everyone is prepared in case of an emergency.

These emergency procedures must be posted in a conspicuous place at the project. (Reference S. 17 – OHS Construction Regulations)

8. In Case of Workplace Injury or Illness

•Make sure first aid is given immediately.

•Make sure there is a record of the first aid treatment given/advice given to the worker.

•Complete WSIB Form 7 “Employer’s Report of Injury/Disease” if the worker gets health care or if the injury causes the worker to be absent from work or requires modified duties. WSIB must receive Form 7 within 3 days of after an employer learns of their reporting obligation.

Supply a Functional Abilities Form 2647 to the health professional treating the worker. Ensure the worker’s signed consent to the release of the form is included.

9. Notice of Death or Illness

Where a person is killed or critically injured from any cause at a workplace, the constructor, if any, and the employer shall notify a MLTSD inspector and/or H & S rep or Committee if any, immediately of the occurrence by telephone or other direct means and the employer shall within 48 hours after the occurrence, send to a MLTSD Director a written report of the circumstances of the occurrence. (Ref S. 51 – OHS Act)

10. Display Signs to Warn Workers of Hazards on Site

Constructors are required to post DANGER signs in prominent locations and in sufficient numbers to warn workers of a hazard on a project. (Reference S. 44 – OHS Construction Regulations)

11. Other

WSIB Registration – Construction firms must register with WSIB for workplace insurance within 10 calendar days from the day you hire your first employee.  Go to WSIB ONTARIO.

IHSA Resources & Local Consultants – Infrastructure Health & Safety Association offers to all WSIB registered construction firms a wealth of services including training and consulting. To learn more, go to IHSA website or contact one of the area IHSA Consultants:

• Luc Lafrance  llafrance@ihsa.ca
• Adam Carruthers acarruthers@ihsa.ca
• Steve Toth   stoth@ihsa.ca