The workers’ compensation system is very complex for businesses to understand. In particular, it is difficult to understand the new experimental experience rating (NEER) program and how to read related statements.

Our plan

Through its rate framework modernization initiative, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has proposed eliminating the NEER and CAD-7 experience rating programs. The WSIB is targeting implementation for January 2019 at the earliest.

The initiative will simplify classification and rate setting processes, address the complexity that currently exists in the existing experience rating programs (e.g. NEER).

The WSIB is in the process of developing a tool for employers that will allow them to track their own claim experience record, the impact on their premiums and an ability to forecast their future premiums.

Improve health and safety inspections and audits

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

There are a number of issues related to occupational health and safety inspections and audits.

Our plan

The Ministry of Labour will make all its health and safety inspections transparent, risk-based and proactive.

Annual blitzes and initiatives are planned based on issues and hazards identified in various ways, including stakeholder feedback.

The ministry will also work to ensure its agencies adopt a risk-based approach to inspections.

Sector plans outlining the ministry’s proactive enforcement plan for each sector are published on the ministry’s website.

In April 2016, the ministry developed a Health and Safety checklist to help small businesses assess their occupational health and safety practices.

Harmonize Occupational health and safety requirements across Canada

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

Having so many different occupational health and safety requirements to comply with is difficult and confusing for businesses.

Our plan

The Ministry of Labour will continue to identify opportunities to harmonize occupational health and safety requirements across jurisdictions and sectors in Canada. It regularly reviews of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Minister of Labour has agreed to participate, along with other Canadian jurisdictions, in a national action plan to identify concrete areas for harmonization.

Incorporate industry-specific safety issues into health and safety requirements

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

Health and safety requirements appear to be more concerned with the right paperwork/processes than incorporating industry specific issues, and how they are dealt with, which could improve safety.

Our plan

In 2016-17, the Ministry of Labour will conduct province-wide risk-based inspection blitzes that focus on industry-specific issues. A schedule of the blitzes and targeted sectors is available on the Ministry of Labour website. Blitz results are normally posted approximately 90 days after completion of the blitz.

Modernize communication with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

All submissions to the Technical Standards and Safety Authority are paper-based, adding time and burden for stakeholders.

Our plan

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is implementing an enterprise-wide IT project, TSSA 20/20, which includes electronic submissions.

The first stage was completed in February 2016. Industry will be able to use the self-serve portal as a one-stop location for services/customer interactions with TSSA by 2019.

Review liquid fuels handling code requirements

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

Under the liquid fuels handling code, each auto manufacturing facility, even those within the same company must apply for a variance, which increases the engineering time and expenses associated with these applications.

Our plan

The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services is working with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority to explore the legal and operational implications of blanket variances for these types of situations. The ministry plans to resolve this issue by the end of 2016.

Harmonize propane handling requirements

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

There are discrepancies between the Ontario Fire Code and propane handling regulations.

Our plan

Discrepancies between the Ontario Fire Code and propane handling regulations will be resolved in the next edition of the Ontario Fire Code, which is expected in 2020. The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) are working to identify gaps, overlaps and conflicts between Ontario’s propane handling regulations and the Ontario Fire Code.

In the interim, there is flexibility in the Ontario Fire Code to permit alternative protection measures that may better align with TSSA regulations and that continue to provide for the protection of life safety thereby minimizing potential impacts.

Improve access to pressure vessel inspectors

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

There are other organizations which employ individuals qualified to inspect pressure vessels for international sales; however, current regulations prohibit anyone other than Technical Safety and Standards Authority inspectors from conducting these inspections.

Our plan

The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services is working with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority to explore changing rules for pressure vessels, including those related to inspections, in order to reduce burden on businesses. Final decisions are anticipated by mid-2018.

Harmonize Canadian registration numbers for boilers and pressure vessels

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

Before a pressure vessel can be used across Canada, it must have a Canadian registration number approved by all 13 provinces and territories.

Our plan

The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services will recommend that all provinces explore the use of a single Canadian registration number for approved designs of boilers and pressure vessels at the next national public safety advisory committee meeting in November 2016.

Review hazardous material labelling requirements for duplication

Status: Action in progress

What we heard

Ontario is in the process of adopting the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals, but in the meantime, businesses still have to comply with duplicative requirements related to workplace hazardous materials information systems.

Our plan

The Government of Ontario has adopted the globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals which will replace Ontario’s workplace hazardous materials information system by December 1, 2018. The government established a three-year implementation period to ease the transition and reduce burdens.

Improve clearance certificate administration

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

Clearance certificates expire every 90 days. In order for a contractor to prove that they have Workplace Safety and Insurance Board coverage, they must have a valid certificate and the process for obtaining one is rather complex.

Our plan

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) made improvements to the clearance certificate application process in 2011, including the creation of an online service for generating clearance certificates.

The Ministry of Labour could explore the option to extend certificate terms beyond 90 days with the WSIB.

Improve communication with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

Communication with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) can be challenging.

Our plan

The WSIB is in the process of exploring alternative pathways and protocols for business to share information and transact with the WSIB, including chat capability and secure channels for uploading forms, paying premiums, emailing and texting.

The WSIB is in the process of developing a tool for employers that will allow them to track their own claim experience record, the impact on their premiums and to forecast their future premiums based on their claims experience and user-adjusted variables.

Educate users about mandated safety equipment under the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

Improve communication to stakeholders about the positive benefits of wearing safety equipment in a number of scenarios that could potentially lead to injury (e.g. the benefits of wearing a harness on top of a tanker truck).

Our plan

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) is committed to continuing to identify opportunities to increase awareness of health and safety requirements, including the use of personal protective equipment. We will be using a variety of communication methods specifically geared to the hazards of working at heights including radio ads, posters on transit, and enhanced website materials.

The ministry works with/supports our health and safety associations, specifically Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) for the automotive sector and the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) for the construction sector to make available materials, resources, and training that build awareness about safety equipment required to be used in the workplace. WSPS and IHSA have a host of electronic resources on their websites. Where there are gaps, MOL, WSPS and IHSA will work with our stakeholders to respond to the needs of the industry. This work is ongoing this year and will continue next year as well.

Increase awareness on occupational health and safety requirements

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

Several government organizations oversee occupational health and safety requirements including the Ministry of Labour and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Each body has its own requirements and businesses have to look to both organizations to understand the requirements.

Our plan

The Ministry of Labour will identify opportunities to increase awareness of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, improve communication and ensure information is accurate on Ontario.ca. This work is ongoing and continuous as we work to better address the needs of our stakeholders.

In addition, the Ministry of Labour, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and the Health and Safety Associations now do integrated planning in order to reduce duplication and to improve communication, clarity and support to our stakeholders. This integrated planning is ongoing and continuous.

Streamline occupational health and safety requirements

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

Occupational health and safety requirements are very complex.

Our plan

The Ministry of Labour has created tools such as the health and safety checklist to help small businesses understand and follow the rules. The Ministry of Labour will also continue to identify opportunities to harmonize and simplify requirements through its regular ongoing reviews of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations.

Simplify Fire Code inspections through the use of technology

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

Fire Code inspections/audits are time consuming, create unnecessary regulatory burden on businesses, and are also difficult to access.

Our plan

In Ontario, the responsibilities for fire safety are shared between the provincial government and municipal fire services. The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services will raise this issue and identify any opportunities to simplify Fire Code inspections at the joint fire safety technical table planned for the fall of 2016.

Integrate all health and safety inspections

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

There is a lack of consolidation and integration for different types of inspections, including Fire Code, labour, and environmental inspections.

Our plan

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services will explore options to harmonize inspection requirements at the fire safety technical table planned for the fall of 2016.

Update fuel industry requirements and certification

Status: Action tracking

What we heard

Outdated fuel industry regulatory requirements and certificates create undue risks in handling fuels.

Our plan

The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services will assess the gaps and risks in the fuels industry certificate regulation and its priority through an internal review process anticipated in 2018.

Provide options for workers’ compensation coverage in the construction sector

Status: No action recommended

What we heard

Owners, directors, and independent operators in the construction sector must carry mandatory Workplace Safety and Insurance Board coverage.

Our plan

The government has recognized the issue and is mindful of the concerns of small businesses. That is why an exemption is provided for independent operators, sole proprietors and partners in a partnership who work exclusively on home renovations.

Review occupational health and safety training certifications and consider coordinating expiry dates

Status: No action recommended

What we heard

There is confusion about how long mandated occupational health and safety training certifications are valid for.

Our plan

The Ministry of Labour has reviewed this suggestion. Given the variety of certifications under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, harmonization of all expiration dates would be impractical and may increase burdens on businesses. Therefore, no action will be taken at this time.

Implement risk and safety management plans for fuels other than propane

Status: No action recommended

What we heard

The government has not yet adopted risk and safety management plans for fuels other than propane.

Our plan

The Ontario Propane Safety Review Report recommended that the government consider implementing risk and safety management plans for other types of fuel. The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services has concluded that these additional requirements could increase burdens on businesses in Ontario, and that at this time, there are no significant safety issues in other fuel areas that call for the additional safety requirements. The ministry continues to assess the necessity of these requirements in other fuel areas as it moves through its internal regulatory review process.

Updated: March 02, 2023

Published: February 16, 2017