Why Is Safety Training Required for New Employees in Ontario?
- Jefferson Fowler
- Jul 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 23
Starting a new job can be exciting, but it also comes with new responsibilities and potential workplace hazards. That’s why safety training for new employees is such an important part of the onboarding process.
Whether someone is working in an office, warehouse, manufacturing facility, or on a construction site, proper safety training helps employees understand workplace hazards, perform their jobs safely, and know what to do in an emergency.
In this guide, we’ll explain why safety training matters, discuss some common types of workplace training, and help Ontario employers better understand their responsibilities.
Is Safety Training Required for New Employees in Ontario?
Yes! Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers are responsible for providing workers with the information, instruction and supervision they need to perform their work safely.
However, there isn’t a single safety training program that applies to every employee. The training required depends on factors such as…
The employee’s job duties
The industry they work in
The equipment they use
The hazards they present in the workplace
Applicable Ontario legislation
Because every workplace is different, employers should ensure that workers receive training that is appropriate for their specific role and responsibilities.
You can learn more about employer responsibilities through Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Why Is Safety Training Important for New Employees?
Employees are often most vulnerable during their first few weeks on the job. They’re still learning workplace procedures, becoming familiar with equipment, and understanding company policies.
Proper safety training helps new employees:
Identify workplace hazards
Learn safe work procedures
Understand emergency response plans
Use equipment correctly
Know how to report hazards or incidents
Understand their health and safety responsibilities
When employees receive appropriate training from the start, they’re generally more confident, productive and prepared to work safely.
What Can Happen If Employees Don’t Receive Proper Safety Training?
Without proper training, employees may not recognize hazards or understand safe work procedures. This can increase the risk of…
Workplace injuries
Equipment damage
Lost productivity
Missed work time
Higher workers’ compensation costs
Workplace investigations
Damage to a company’s reputation
While accidents can’t always be prevented, providing thorough onboarding and ongoing training helps reduce unnecessary risks and demonstrates a commitment to workplace safety.
What Should Be Included During New Employee Safety Orientation?
Safety orientation is one of the first training sessions a new employee receives. Although every workplace is different, orientation may include topics such as:
Emergency exits and evacuation procedures
First aid locations
Hazard reporting procedures
Workplace violence and harassment policies
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Safe work procedures
Incident reporting
Who to contact with health and safety questions
Providing this information early helps employees feel more comfortable and ensures they know who to turn to if concerns arise.
What Safety Training Might Office Employees Need?
Office environments are often viewed as low-risk workplaces, but employees can still experience injuries from slips, trips, falls, poor ergonomics or emergency situations.
Examples of training may include:
Worker Health and Safety Awareness Training
Workplace Violence and Harassment Training
Office ergonomics
Emergency response procedures
Fire safety
Some employers may also choose to provide additional workplace-specific training depending on the nature of their business.
What Safety Training Might Construction Workers Need?
Construction sites often present a wide range of hazards, making proper training especially important. Depending on the work being performed, employees may require training such as…
Fall protection
Health & Safety Training
Some construction workers are legally required to complete a Chief Prevention Officer (CPO)- approved Working at Heights training program before performing certain work involving fall protection. These exact requirements depend on the work being performed and the applicable regulations.
You can also read our article “What’s the Differnce Between Working at Heights and Fall Protection?” for more information.
What Safety Training Might Warehouse Employees Need?
Warehouses and distribution centres often involve powered equipment, moving vehicles and manual material handling. Examples of training may include:
Material Handling Equipment (MHE) Training
Forklift operator training
Manual material handling
Hazard awareness
Health & Safety Training
Employees who operate forklifts or other powered equipment should receive both theoretical and practical instruction before operating equipment independently.
If you’re new to material handling equipment, read our guide on “What Is MHE Certification?”
What Safety Training Might Manufacturing Employees Need?
Manufacturing environments can involve machinery, production equipment, conveyors and a variety of workplace hazards. Depending on the workplace, training may include:
Machine safety
Material Handling Equipment (MHE) Training
Elevated Work Platform Training
Hazard awareness
Lockout/tagout procedures
Health & Safety Training
Employers should ensure workers understand the hazards associated with the equipment they use and the processes they will be performing each day.
Do All Employees Need the Same Safety Training?
No! Every workplace is unique, and different positions often require different types of safety training. For example…
An office administrator typically won’t require Working at Heights training.
A forklift operator may require Material Handling Equipment (MHE) Training.
A construction worker may require Working at Heights or Elevated Work Platform training.
A supervisor may require additional health and safety education beyond what frontline workers receive.
For this reason, employers should avoid using a “one-size-fits-all” approach to employee training.
How Often Should Safety Training Be Updated?
Safety training isn’t something that should only happen during an employee’s first week. Refresher training may be appropriate when:
New equipment is introduced
Job duties change
Workplace hazards change
New procedures are implemented
Regulations are updated
An employee requires additional instruction
Some training programs also have specific renewal requirements or recommended refresher intervals. Employers should keep accurate training records and ensure employees remain competent to perform their work safely.
How Can Employers Determine What Training Is Required?
Determining the right training begins with evaluating the workplace and identifying potential hazards. Employers should consider:
The work their employees perform
Equipment employees operate
Industry-specific hazards
Applicable Ontario legislation
Company policies and procedures
Because training requirements can vary significantly between workplaces, it’s important to assess each position individually rather than assuming the same training applies to every employee.
The examples in this article are provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or a complete list of training requirements. Every workplace is different, and employees should determine the training that is appropriate for their specific operations.
Additional workplace health and safety resources are available through organizations such as the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) and the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA).
Build a Safer Workplace with Proper Employee Training
Providing safety training for new employees is one of the best ways to help workers start their new role with confidence. Proper training not only helps employees understand workplace hazards but also contributes to a stronger safety culture, improved productivity and better overall workplace compliance.
Whether your employees work in construction, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, or an office environment, providing appropriate safety training helps set them up for success from Day One.
Get Safety Training for New Employees with Correct Compliance
At Correct Compliance, we offer a wide variety of workplace safety training programs for businesses across Ontario. Whether you’re looking for Working at Heights, Material Handling Equipment (MHE), Elevated Work Platform (EWP), Health & Safety Training, Train the Trainer programs, or access to hundreds of online safety courses, our team can help you find the training that fits your workplace.
Because every business is different, there isn’t a single checklist that applies to every employer. If you’re unsure which training your employees may require, we’re happy to help you identify training options based on your industry, workplace hazards, and operational needs.
Contact Correct Compliance today to learn more about our workplace safety training programs.
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