This small business eLearning training program provides information on the powers, functions and duties of the workplace health and safety representative. 

A Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is required in most Ontario workplaces employing 6-19 workers.  The role of the HSR is to support health and safety in the workplace.

Effective July 15, 2021, the Ontario government, through the Small Business Health and Safety Training Program, will reimburse small businesses in Ontario for the $25 course registration fee for an appointed health and safety representative and $150 towards the representative's training time for training completed between July 15, 2021 to March 31, 2024.

Reimbursement Details

To qualify for the reimbursement, a business must:

• Regularly employ 6-19 employees or have a health and safety representative in other circumstances
• Have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) number
• Keep a copy of the HSR training certificate of completion

Businesses can apply up to two times, with a second allowance permitted for staff turnover. Franchises of the same corporation with unique business numbers are also eligible for funding. 

Please obtain a certificate of completion from the Health and Safety Representative upon completion of the course. Employers will need the certificate to claim reimbursements.

For more information about Health and Safety Representatives and the Small Business Health and Safety Training Program, please click here.

To apply for reimbursement, the employer must fill out and submit the Small Business Health and Safety Training Program form.  To access the form, click here.

For further information, please click here to visit the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) site.

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Course Description

The topics covered in this course include:

• Occupational health and safety law;
• Rights, duties and responsibilities of the workplace parties;
• Duties and responsibilities of the HSR under the OHSA;
• Common workplace hazards;
• Hazard recognition, assessment, control, and evaluation (RACE methodology) of hazard controls;
• Applying the RACE methodology (recognize, assess, control and evaluate) to a workplace hazard; and
• Health and safety resources available to the workplace parties.

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

• Describe the organization and content of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations.
• Describe the general duties and responsibilities of workplace parties.
• Describe the powers, functions and duties of a health and safety representative (HSR) under the Act.
• Identify common workplace health and safety hazards.
• Describe the legal requirements of workplace inspections.
• Identify the principles for conducting effective workplace inspections.
• Identify the legal requirements for investigating accidents by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD).
• Describe the steps for conducting an effective accident investigation.

Course Duration: Approximately 8 hours

Course Material:  Ontario Specific

Certificate of Completion: Upon successful completion of this online course, a certificate of completion will be available for download and printing

Voiceover: Yes