Course Description:

The Health and Safety Representative (HSR) training program supports health and safety culture in the workplace by ensuring Representatives are carrying out their legislative and company duties.

Employers or constructors are required to have an select an HSR in workplaces where:

• The number of workers regularly employed is between 6 and 19
• No Joint Health and Safety Committee is required

The HSR must be selected by either:

• Fellow workers who are not in managerial positions
• The union, if the workplace is unionized

Topics Covered:

In the HSR online training program, the following topics are covered:

• Occupational health and safety law
• Rights, duties, and responsibilities of the workplace parties
• Duties and responsibilities of the HSR under the OHSA
• Common workplace hazards
• Hazard recognition, assessment, control, and evaluation (race methodology) of hazard controls
• Applying the race methodology (recognize, assess, control, and evaluate) to a workplace hazard
• Health and safety resources available to the workplace parties

Reimbursement for basic HSR training:

Small businesses can apply to be reimbursed for HSR training through Ontario’s Small Business Health and Safety Training Program. The program will reimburse eligible employers a total of:

• $175 for the one-day eLearning training (covers $ 25-course registration fee and $150 HSRs training time)
• $350 for the two-day in-person or virtual classroom training (covers $ 50-course registration fee and $300 HSR’s training time)

To be eligible for reimbursement through the Small Business Health and Safety Training Program, small businesses must:

• Regularly employ 6–19 workers in an Ontario workplace or be required to have an HSR in other circumstances
• Have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) number
• Have an appointed HSR complete the basic HSR training course from a participating training
• provider between July 15, 2021, and March 31, 2024
• Keep a copy of the certificate of completion
• Apply for reimbursement

Employers can take the following steps to be reimbursed:

• Register your appointed HSR for basic HSR training through a participating training provider
• Have the HSR complete the training and get the certificate of completion
• Apply for reimbursement through the Small Business Health and Safety Training Program application form. Applications can be submitted until July 15, 2024
• Upon review and approval of your application, you should receive reimbursement for the cost of training within 6–8 weeks

To apply for reimbursement, visit Ontario’s Small Business Health and Safety Training Program (SBHSTP) at https://www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/sbhstp/#/.

Privacy Notice:

For the purpose of processing and validating an application for reimbursement under the Small Business Health & Safety Training Program the name of the individual taking the health and safety representative training and their email will be disclosed to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

By proceeding with purchasing or registering for this course, you hereby consent to the collection and processing of information, as applicable, by the Ministry and its third-party service providers for the purposes set out above.

Any questions about the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for the Small Business Health and Safety Training Program can be directed to Training and Awareness Branch, Prevention Division, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development by email at
PreventionFeedback@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-416-212-9871.