New Worker Orientation: What Ontario Employers Are Required to Cover
4 min read
Statistics consistently show that new workers — those in their first month on the job — face a significantly higher risk of workplace injury than experienced employees. Under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers are required to provide workers with information and instruction on workplace hazards before they begin work. While the OHSA does not prescribe a specific orientation checklist, the employer's duty to take every reasonable precaution creates a clear legal expectation. A documented, thorough new worker orientation is one of the most cost-effective safety investments any employer can make.
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Orientation must happen before the worker begins work — not after their first day or first incident
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Cover the basics: rights and responsibilities under OHSA, how to report a hazard, who the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) representative is
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Review workplace-specific hazards, emergency procedures, and the location of first aid and fire extinguishers
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Provide WHMIS training for any worker who may work with or near hazardous products
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Assign a buddy or mentor for the first few weeks — informal supervision dramatically reduces new worker injuries
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Document the orientation with a sign-off sheet and keep it on file — it is your proof of compliance in a Ministry of Labour inspection
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