About Us
Welcome to Safety First Training!
Safety First Training is operated by a team of Canadian Safety Professionals with many years of experience in health & safety training and course development. Since 1989, we have been a trusted provider of Workplace Health & Safety Training Services for thousands of companies and government organizations. With our Onsite Safety Training, Online Safety Training and Train the Trainer Programs, we have been a valued provider to our clients by ensuring their workplaces are healthier, safer and more productive.
For over 30 years we have been entrusted by companies to help keep their employees safe at work. Our training programs meet all CSA & OHSA standards and we are constantly updating our resources to provide the best workplace health and safety training possible. We are proud to work closely with all of our clients, who trust us as their training provider and we work hard to protect that trust everyday, we guarantee it!
Our Clients
Associations and Partners
Proud Patron Member of the League of Champions
We are honored to be a Patron Member of the League of Champions (LOC), a cross-sectoral organization dedicated to health and safety excellence through collaboration and information sharing on real-world health and safety situations. The LOC's mission is to be advocates for safety by inspiring and influencing leaders to commit, collaborate, and take action to improve health and safety culture through awareness, education, promotion, and recognition.
As part of the LOC, we join an elite team of industry leaders committed to developing and implementing industry-leading best practices with a solutions-oriented focus on actual experiences. The LOC's vision of "Inspiring leaders at every level to be health and safety champions" aligns perfectly with our own commitment to workplace safety excellence.
"Guidelines for Safety should come down from the top of an organization to the team on the front line, but it does not become a cultural shift until everyone on the front line owns their actions and the ensuing results. Be a leader in establishing a culture of safety excellence in your workplace."
2025 Compliance Checklist for Ontario Employers
Download PDFLegislative requirements for employers is constantly changing, and staying current can be a challenge. Safety First Training has prepared this HR and Safety Compliance Checklist to support Ontario businesses.
Mandatory Workplace Policies
Employers must have the following written policies in place:
Health & Safety Policy
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers must annually prepare and review a written workplace health & safety policy—even workplaces with five or fewer employees must follow this unless an inspector orders otherwise.
Workplace Violence & Harassment Policy
OHSA requires employers to create and annually review policies and programs on workplace violence and harassment. For workplaces with six or more regularly employed staff, written, posted versions are mandatory.
Accessibility Policy (AODA)
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requires organizations to establish accessibility policies that include organizational commitment. Employers with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from writing the policy down, but must still comply.
Disconnecting from Work Policy (ESA Part VII.0.1)
Employers with 25+ staff must adopt a written "right to disconnect" policy before March 1 each year, distributing it to all employees within 30 days. It defines "disconnecting" as refraining from work-related communications like emails or calls Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021.
Electronic Monitoring Policy
The ESA (Part XI.1) mandates written policies on workplace electronic monitoring for employers with 25+ employees.
Privacy Policy (PIPEDA)
All businesses handling personal data must document and implement privacy policies in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.
Pay Equity Plan
Required for all public sector employers and private-sector employers with 10+ staff, under the Pay Equity Act.
Don't know where to start? Contact us for assistance.
Mandatory Workplace Postings & Documents
Employment Standards Act (ESA):
- "Employment Standards in Ontario" poster — must be provided to employees within 30 days of hire. Free download or order from Service Ontario.
- Additional Information Sheets required for:
- Excess hours of work agreements
- Temporary-help agency agreements
- Foreign national employees hired without recruiter use
- These must accompany the relevant agreements if available in other languages if needed
Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA):
- "Health & Safety at Work: Prevention Starts Here" poster — must be displayed visibly in English and the workplace's majority language. Free download orderable from Service Ontario.
- OHSA Act and explanatory material (Green Book) — must be posted or provided electronically. Electronic Version Laws
- Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) — required if your workplace has more than 20 regularly employed workers. One certified management member and one non-management member is required. Check out our NEW JHSC Part I and Part II Training
- Current health and safety, violence, and harassment policies — to be updated and posted yearly for workplaces with five or more employees.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB):
- "In Case of Injury" (Form 82) poster — mailed upon WSIB registration; replacements available from WSIB directly.
Additional postings (as applicable):
- Orders from MLTSD inspectors
- Airborne contaminant monitoring results
Required Training
Health & Safety Awareness (OHSA Reg. 297/13)
Mandatory for employees and supervisors, including site-specific hazard training.
WHMIS 2015 (OHSA Reg. 860)
Required for workers handling or exposed to hazardous products. WHMIS Online Training Click Here!
Violence & Harassment Prevention
Under OHSA, employers need training on workplace violence and harassment policies. Violence & Harassment Training Click Here!
AODA & Ontario Human Rights Code
Training on accessibility obligations and rights of people with disabilities. AODA Training Click Here!
Specialized Safety Training
Depends on your site specific hazards i.e. using ladders, fall protection, confined spaces, electrical, traffic control, equipment, first aid, JHSC etc. Needs to be assessed to be determined. Specialized Safety Training Click Here!
Recommended (Optional) Policies
Optional but beneficial policies include:
- Anti-Spam (CASL) Policy – Ensures compliance with Canada's anti-commercial email laws.
- Social Media Policy – Clarifies expectations for online conduct.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Policy – Supports inclusive workplace culture.
- Drug & Alcohol Policy – Addresses impairment and workplace safety.
- Flexible Work Policy – Defines remote work arrangements fairly.
Legislative Highlights
Working for Workers Five Act (Bill 190)
Received Royal Assent on October 28, 2024 and introduced:
- Virtual harassment added under OHSA.
- Telework included under OHSA; "industrial establishment" excludes home offices but protections apply. Violence Act.
- "Right to disconnect" policy requirement reinforced.
- Employers may no longer request a medical certificate for the first three ESA sick days.
- ESA fine limits doubled to $100,000.
- Enhanced rights around publicly advertised job postings and washroom facilities.
What's Happened in 2025 and What's Coming in 2026
Working for Workers Six Act (effective December 19, 2024) introduced:
- Mandatory property-fitting PPE in all sectors.
- Minimum $50,000 corporate fine for repeat OHSA offences causing death/serious injury.
- New unpaid parental leave for adoptive/surrogate parents and long-term illness leave; effective dates pending.
Effective July 1, 2025:
- Mandatory pre-work information for new employees at 25+ staff employers (legal name, wages, hours, contact info, work location).
Effective January 1, 2026:
- Job postings must disclose vacancy status, compensation, AI use, and remove "Canadian experience" requirement; records to be retained for 3 years.
- Regular washroom cleaning records; posting to begin January 1, 2026.
Final Takeaways for Ontario Employers
- Update all core policies and training programs to align with recent legal changes.
- Ensure written disconnecting policy by March 1 annually, or as soon as you reach 25 employees.
- Prepare medical certificate requirements for the first three ESA sick days.
- Review job postings and employee onboarding materials ahead of 2026 changes and reflect 2025 requirements.
- Maintain documentation of washroom cleaning, AODA and harassment training, and all postings/policies.
- Conduct a full safety audit of your program. Do you require assistance contact us.
- Ensure site-specific staff training is conducted and documented to be able to prove due diligence.
Staying ahead ensures your organization meets evolving compliance standards and promotes a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace in 2025 and beyond.
Our Team
We’re a team of passionate Canadian Safety Professionals.
