Ontario releases its first integrated health and safety strategy

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour has developed the province’s first integrated strategy to prevent injuries and improve the delivery of workplace health and safety.
“This strategy calls on the health and safety leadership to move forward with exceptional resolve. It sets out a cohesive vision, goals and priorities for the next five years that will help us collectively maximize the resources available to prevent tragedies by addressing areas of greatest need,” said George Gritziotis, chief prevention officer.

The Ministry of Labour is working closely with health and safety associations to ensure “consistent, clear and integrated delivery service delivery,” he said.

Developed in consultation with business, labour groups, health and safety associations and everyday Ontarians, the strategy will help guide the Ministry of Labour in setting priorities to prevent injuries and create a culture where health and safety is at the centre of every workplace, the provincial government said.

The Ontario government heard from more than 1,150 consultation participants and received 217 responses to the consultation paper.

The strategy includes actions to:

• support small businesses with new resources to keep workers safe
• ensure that all workers, especially those most at risk, receive the help they need
• make the delivery of health and safety services more effective and efficient
• raise awareness among Ontarians about ways to stay safe and healthy at work
• foster compliance with workplace health and safety regulations.

Preventing injuries and keeping workers’ safe is part of the government’s plan to invest in "people and in safer workplaces as the building blocks of a strong economy, strong communities and a stronger Ontario," it said.