Occupational Health and Safety Act
Definitions updated or added are:
- Industrial Establishment was clarified to exclude an office located in a private residence.
- Workplace Harassment and Workplace Sexual Harassment now include that communications technology is a prohibited means of engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct.
- Washroom Facility was added and will come into force at a date to be named later.
Section 3 of the OHSA is updated to apply the Act to telework performed in or about a private residence.
Electronic Posting of Information
There is now an option to post information electronically. This is allowed when the employer provides a worker with direction on where and how to access the information. The information must be in an electronic format that can be readily accessed by workers at the workplace. The information allowed to be posted with these conditions are:
- The Occupational Health and Safety Act and any explanatory material prepared by the Ministry
- The Joint Heath and Safety Committee members and their work locations
- A Workplace Safety and Insurance Board annual summary if one is supplied to the company
- The company’s Occupational Heath and Safety Policy
- The company’s policies for workplace violence and workplace harassment
Joint Heath and Safety Committee (JHSC)
The JHSC now has the option to meet remotely by electronic means. Section 9 (33) has had the requirement to meet “at the workplace” removed.
Constructor and Employer Duties
Constructor Duties in Section 23.1 and Employer Duties in Section 25.3 of the OHSA have been updated to include they ensure washroom facilities are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and records of these cleanings are kept and maintained and becomes law at a later date.
Part X Regulations of the OHSA has been amended so the Lieutenant Governor in Council could modify or supplement Regulations, or establish new requirements, for the employer and constructor to maintain washroom facilities in the future and becomes law at a later date.
As of January 1, 2026, is a new Regulation, 480/24 – Washroom Facilities – Records of Cleaning. The Regulation requires an employer or constructor to keep, maintain and make available records of the cleaning of washroom facilities. The record can be posted in a conspicuous place in or near the washroom facility or electronically where it can be accessed by workers, and workers are given direction on where and how to access the record. The record must have at least the date and time of the two most recent cleanings of the facility.
As of January 1, 2026, the Farming Regulation, 414/05, must follow new Regulation 480/24.
As of January 1, 2026, the Construction Projects Regulation, 213/91, will have to follow new Regulation 480/24. A constructor will have to maintain records of servicing and any associated cleaning and sanitizing. The record will have to include the date of services for the preceding six months or the duration of the project, whichever is shorter. The record will be kept for the duration of the project.
