Evaluating the impact of mandatory awareness training on occupational health and safety vulnerability in Ontario

Reasons for the study

On July 2014, the province of Ontario introduced new regulations making occupational health and safety (OHS) awareness training mandatory for all employees and supervisors. The required training included instruction on duties and rights of workers, supervisors and employers, an overview of other health and safety actors such as joint health and safety committees and the Ministry of Labour, and a review of common workplace hazards and occupational illness. The change was designed to increase worker and supervisor knowledge of basic OHS rights and responsibilities and improve the health and safety of Ontario’s most vulnerable workers. The Institute for Work & Health evaluated the impact of the regulatory change on OHS vulnerability in Ontario.

Objectives of the study