Ministry campaigns and compliance initiatives

April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

From April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, the MLITSD will conduct a health and safety campaign focused on the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) for health and community care sectors.

Learn more about the campaign on this webinar facilitated by the MLITSD and PSHSA on May 7, 2026.

Focus & priorities

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) establishes legal requirements that provide a foundation for the internal responsibility system (IRS). The IRS is a system within an organization in which everyone has a responsibility for workplace health and safety that is appropriate to one’s role and function within the organization.

This campaign includes education, awareness, and enforcement. Online resources are available to assist workplaces to set up or improve their IRS. Among the health and safety associations, the Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA) works with Ontario’s health and community care sector to provide training, consulting, and resources to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses.

Ministry inspectors will look for evidence of a strong IRS and a properly functioning Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or Health and Safety Representative (HSR) where required.

Phase 1: Compliance assistance
April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027

The ministry will partner with PSHSA to host webinar(s) on the campaign and provide compliance assistance resources.

Phase 2: Focused inspections
April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027

Rationale for campaign

The IRS helps support a safe and healthy workplace. In addition to the workplace parties’ compliance with their legal duties, the IRS is further supported by well-defined health and safety policies and programs.

IRS issues have been raised by stakeholders. In addition, in recent years:

• the ministry has received complaints from health care workplaces related to IRS concerns
• inspectors have written orders for IRS issues such as:
  • awareness training for both workers and supervisors under O. Reg. 297/13
  • orders for measures and procedures for workplaces that are covered under

An IRS focused initiative was last done in health care settings in 2018-2019.

Campaign focus

This campaign aims to:

• increase compliance with Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and related regulations, including:
  • Reg. 297/13: Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training
  • Reg. 67/93: Health Care and Residential Facilities, where applicable
  • Reg. 420/21: Notices and Reports Under Sections 51 to 53.1 of the Act – Fatalities, Critical Injuries, Occupational Illnesses and Other Incidents 
• promote resources and raise awareness about the IRS in health care workplaces
• facilitate a strong IRS in workplaces, one of the primary purposes of the OHSA

Ministry inspectors will look for evidence of a strong IRS relating to:

• the duties and responsibilities of workplace parties
• training, including Awareness Training
• notices and reports

In addition, inspector will look to ensure the internal check on the IRS by reviewing the functioning of the HSR/JHSC.

Health care sector inspections will take place at a variety of health and community care workplaces, including:

• hospitals
• long-term care homes
• group homes
• retirement homes
• treatment clinics and specialized services
• professional offices and agencies
• home health care

At workplaces where the Health Care and Residential Facilities regulation applies, inspectors will check that the employer has:

• established written measures and procedures in consultation with the JHSC or HSR
• reviewed the measures and procedures at least annually, and revised these as required considering current knowledge and practice
• provided training to workers

Resources

• What is the Occupational Health and Safety Act?
• Mandatory Compliance
• Caught in the middle: the supervisor and occupational health and safety
• Physicians’ occupational health and safety roles and responsibilities
• Effective ways to Communicate Health and Safety Information
• What is a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)? 
• An introduction to the joint health and safety committee
• Roles and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Board Members – Know Your Liabilities
• Occupational Illness Reporting
• Roles and Responsibilities (ONA Webinar)
• Prevention in Practice: Strategies to Create Safer, Healthier Workplaces (Nov 2025)
• Compliance Made Simple: Navigating Mandatory Health & Safety Requirements in Ontario
• What are the Workplace Health and Safety Requirements for Volunteers?

Training

• Worker Health and Safety Awareness Training
• Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness Training
• Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Training Part 1
• Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Training Healthcare Part 2
• Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Refresher Training
• Health and Safety Representative Basic Training 
• Health and Safety for Leaders
• Health and Safety for Board Members

Small Business resources

• Small Business Resource Material
• Small Business Policy and Procedure Templates

New and Vulnerable workers resources

• New & Vulnerable Workers 

April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, Ontario’s MLITSD will conduct a province‑wide health and safety campaign focused on the most common hazards in the education sector.

The campaign is designed to strengthen compliance with the OHSA, reduce workplace injuries and illnesses, and reinforce shared responsibility for health and safety across Ontario’s education workplaces.

Learn more about the campaign on this webinar that will be facilitated by the MLITSD and PSHSA on June 5, 2026.

Campaign Objectives

The 2026–2027 MLITSD Education Campaign aims to:

• Increase compliance with the OHSA and its regulations
• Prevent injuries and occupational illnesses arising from unsafe work practices
• Raise awareness of key hazards specific to the education sector
• Promote the Internal Responsibility System (IRS)
• Ensure workplace parties understand and meet their legal duties
• Connect employers to PSHSA supports to help meet legislative requirements

Why This Focus?

Inspection data from 2024 shows that MLITSD inspectors in the education sector most frequently addressed concerns related to:

• Slips, trips, and falls
• Equipment maintenance and condition
• Worker and supervisor training
• Chemical and biological hazards
• Floor safety
• Administrative compliance under the OHSA

These recurring issues directly inform the focus of the 2026–2027 campaign. By targeting hazards and compliance gaps most often identified in previous inspections, the ministry aims to proactively improve health and safety performance across the sector.

Inspectors have also been asked to give particular attention to workplaces employing new and young workers and temporary help agency workers. As a result, the campaign will prioritize smaller organizations and settings where vulnerable workers may be present, ensuring a targeted and risk‑informed approach.

How the Campaign Will Be Implemented

Phase 1: Compliance Assistance

April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027

During this phase, MLITSD will partner with the Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) to support the sector through:

• Education‑focused webinar(s) outlining campaign priorities
• Practical compliance assistance resources aligned with inspection focus areas

The goal is to help workplaces understand expectations and address compliance gaps before inspections occur.

Phase 2: Focused Inspections

April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027

MLITSD inspectors will conduct focused inspections in education workplaces, with particular attention to administrative compliance and supervisory responsibilities under the OHSA.

Key Focus Areas for Employers

Administrative Requirements

Employers in the education sector should ensure compliance with the following commonly reviewed requirements:

• Maintaining equipment in good condition (OHSA s.25(1)(b))
• Providing required training and orientation, including worker and supervisor awareness training (O. Reg. 297/13, ss. 1(1), 2(1))
• Posting a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA s.25(2)(i))
• Preparing and reviewing a written health and safety policy at least annually (OHSA s.25(2)(j))
• Complying with OHSA requirements for worker representatives and Joint Health and Safety Committees (ss. 8 and 9)
• Meeting legislative duties related to workplace violence and workplace harassment (OHSA ss. 32.0.1–32.0.8)

Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors must be competent and able to communicate effectively with workers. Inspectors will review supervisors’ ability to meet their duties, including:

• Ensuring workers follow required protective measures and procedures (OHSA s.27(1)(a))
• Ensuring required equipment, protective devices, and protective clothing are used or worn (OHSA s.27(1)(b))
• Advising workers of known or potential health and safety hazards (OHSA s.27(2)(a))
• Taking every reasonable precaution to protect workers (OHSA s.27(2)(c))

Helpful Resources

Provincial Guidance and Tools

• Manual materials handling
• Preventing slips, trips and falls in the workplace
• Health and safety for small businesses
• Temporary help workers, agencies and host employers
• Licensing for temporary help agencies and recruiters
• Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Guide for health and safety committees and representatives
• Workplace Violence in School Boards: A Guide to the Law
• Posters required in the workplace
• Understand the law on workplace violence and harassment
• Health and Safety Checklist

PSHSA Resources and Training

• Tools, Training & Resources for Education and Culture Sectors in Ontario
• Hazard Management Tool (HMT)
• How to Investigate an Incident
• Slips, Trips and Falls – Factors, Root Cause Analysis and Use of PEMEP Tool
• Compliance First
• Health & Safety Excellence Program
• Supervisor Health & Safety Awareness
• Worker Health & Safety Awareness
• Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Basic Training
• JHSC Certification Part 1

Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) Resources

• OHCOW’s Resources