The occupational health and safety (OHS) system took many important steps forward in 2021–2022, this report emphasizes the efforts that have taken place to limit injuries, illnesses and fatalities across Ontario. While what we achieved is important, so is the way we worked together to reach our goals.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (the Ministry) is committed to the health and safety of all Ontario workers. We want to help ensure that each worker arrives home safely each day. Throughout the 2021–2022 fiscal year, the ministry worked across the OHS system to take effective and meaningful actions. Our top priorities included awareness, training, compliance support and enforcement.

In July 2021, Ontario released the province’s second Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Strategy, called Prevention Works. Prevention Works is a five-year strategy and vision for the OHS system. It aims to address priority and high-risk areas using an evidence-informed and outcomes-based approach.

In the fall of 2021, the ministry introduced a series of Steering Committees under the CPO’s leadership. These committees play a key role in implementing the strategy’s objectives and across two key areas of systems focus, which are:

Goals of Prevention Works

Objective 1: Build and use the best evidence to target initiatives, measure performance and increase system oversight.

Objective 2: Improve OHS knowledge and practices.

Objective 3: Support workplace parties to fulfil their OHS roles and responsibilities and achieve excellence.

Objective 4: Make OHS easier for small businesses.

Areas of Systems Focus: Work with OHS partners to reduce occupational illnesses and improve work-related mental health and workplace violence and harassment.