Find out what health and safety laws apply to you
Question & Answer
What laws apply to me as a worker?The rules about workplace health and safety that you and your employer must follow are set out in:
- the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and
- the Canada Labour Code.
These laws give workers the right to:
- know about health and safety hazards in the workplace
- refuse to do work that's not safe
They also give employers duties. For example, employers must protect workers from workplace and train workers on how to do their job safely.
Occupational Health and Safety Act
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) applies to most workplaces in Ontario.
To see if it applies to you, check out the Ministry of Labour’s Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Or call the Ministry's Health & Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008. For TTY, call 1-855-653-9260.
The OHSA does not apply to:
- people who are covered by the Canada Labour Code,
- people working at home, or
- people working in their employer's home.
For example, the OHSA might not apply to a personal support worker or a gardener.
Canada Labour Code
Some workplaces are covered by the Canada Labour Code. For example, banks, airlines, some trucking businesses, and broadcasting.
If you work in one of these places, you also have the right to a healthy and safe workplace. The rules you and your employer must follow are in the Canada Labour Code. Learn more about your rights on the Government of Canada’s website.
