The industrial program

The Industrial Health and Safety Program (IHSP) is the largest and most diverse of five MOL occupational health and safety programs. This program is responsible for enforcing the OHSA  and applicable regulations in 29 complex sectors. Most workers in Ontario at provincially regulated workplaces are covered by the IHSP.

Most of these workplaces are covered by specific regulatory requirements made under the OHSA , such as the Regulation for Industrial Establishments.

In general, hazards that are not covered by a regulation and hazards in workplaces not covered by a sector-specific regulation are addressed through the application of the general duty clause 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

Employers are required to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers from workplace hazards.

Farming is covered by the Regulation for Farming Operations (O. Reg. 414/05 made under the OHSA). These regulations set out which OHSA provisions and other regulations apply to farming operations.

In some cases, certain activities may be covered by other sector-specific regulations such as Ontario’s Regulation for Construction Projects (O. Reg. 213/91) or Regulation for Mines and Mining Plants (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 854).

Workplace parties are also reminded that there are several hazard-based regulations that may also apply at workplaces. These regulations may impose requirements beyond the sector-specific regulations.

The IHSP’s 29 sectors are listed below.

Industrial program

  • Agriculture Services
  • Automotive
  • Ceramics, Glass and Stone
  • Chemical, Rubber and Plastics
  • Construction Premises
  • Education
  • Electrical and Electronics
  • Farming Operations
  • Film and TV
  • Fire Service
  • Fisheries
  • Food, Beverage and Tobacco
  • Government
  • Industrial Services
  • Live Performance
  • Logging and Sawmills
  • Office and Related Services
  • Police Service
  • Primary Metals
  • Pulp and Paper
  • Restaurants
  • Retail
  • Textiles and Printing
  • Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation
  • Transportation
  • Utilities
  • Vehicle Sales and Service
  • Wholesale
  • Wood and Metal Fabrication