The Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) of Ontario launched the Health and Safety Excellence Program (HSEp) in 2019 to help Ontario employers improve their management of workplace health and safety. In 2021, to increase the participation of small businesses, the WSIB and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development adjusted several program features and launched the HSEp Small Business Program.
This report summarizes the results from a study aimed at: i) understanding the needs, motivations, and experiences of the selected cohort of small businesses in the Small Business Program, ii) identifying effective approaches to improve the delivery of occupational health and safety (OHS) services to small businesses and iii) suggesting strategies to support small businesses in improving their health and safety programs and building strong health and safety cultures. The study was based on qualitative interviews, conducted with representatives of small businesses in the HSEp Small Business Program, and with service providers who provided direct consulting support to program participants.
Published: September 2024