Preparing for a Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Inspection

Inspectors may ask to see required health and safety documentation, such as policies, postings, and training records. They may also ask questions to confirm roles, responsibilities, and awareness of health and safety procedures in your workplace.

Keeping documents up to date and easy to locate—whether stored electronically or on paper—helps inspections move more efficiently and can reduce follow‑up questions or requests.

Inspectors may observe work being performed and ask questions about routine tasks. Regularly reviewing how work is done helps ensure safe practices are understood and followed.

Supervisors, health and safety representatives, and Joint Health and Safety Committee members may be asked questions during an inspection. Clear roles and responsibilities help ensure consistent and confident responses.

Identifying and correcting hazards or gaps early demonstrates due diligence and shows an ongoing commitment to health and safety in your workplace.

Between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027, inspectors will conduct focused visits to farming and agricultural workplaces. This campaign is intended to raise awareness of high‑risk activities and support safer work practices in a sector where serious injuries continue to occur.

During inspections, inspectors may pay closer attention to:

• Safe use and maintenance of farming equipment, including tractors and forklifts
• Machine guarding
• Falls from heights, including falls from equipment and structures
• Electrical hazards and lock‑out/tag‑out practices
• High‑risk activities, such as tree removal and logging on farms
• Heat stress prevention
• Worker training and awareness

Prepare for Farming & Agriculture Inspections

Find tools and resources to help address common risks and improve workplace health and safety. Explore now.

From April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, MLITSD ergonomists will focus on reducing musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks in retail workplaces. This campaign looks at how materials are handled and moved throughout everyday retail activities, such as receiving, stocking, customer assistance, and delivery.

Inspectors may focus on:

• MSD prevention
• Falls from ladders related to manual storage and retrieval

Prevent MSDs in Retail Workplaces

Access practical tools, resources, and training to help reduce strain injuries, improve ergonomics, and protect retail workers from musculoskeletal disorders. Discover resources here.

Between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027, inspectors will focus on noise‑related hazards in workplaces where exposure may be a concern. The goal is to help prevent noise‑induced hearing loss and ensure appropriate controls are in place.

Inspectors may look at how workplaces identify, assess, and manage noise hazards.

Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Access practical tools, training, and resources to assess noise hazards, protect workers, and build an effective hearing loss prevention program. Get started.

From April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, focused inspections will take place in retail workplaces to raise awareness of common health and safety hazards and promote safe work practices.

This campaign aims to:

• Improve understanding of OHSA requirements
• Help prevent injuries and illnesses related to everyday work activities
• Raise awareness of common retail hazards
• Support workplace parties in meeting their health and safety responsibilities
• Connect employers with health and safety partners for additional support

Explore Retail Health and Safety Resources

Access practical information to help prevent injuries, support compliance, and keep workers safe. Get started.

Timing: May 1 – October 31, 2026

This regional initiative focuses on marina operations throughout Eastern Ontario, including the 401 corridor from the Quebec border to Northumberland, as well as Peterborough, Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes and Muskoka.

Inspectors may review:

• Slips, trips and falls
• Working around water
• Electrical safety
• Material handling
• Worker training and supervision
• General workplace health and safety requirements

Listen to a Recorded Webinar on the Ministry Initiative for Marinas in Eastern Ontario to help get prepared.

Timing: May 1, 2026 – October 31, 2027

This initiative targets remote hunting and fishing camps across Northern and Central Ontario, as well as other isolated regions. Inspections will focus on helping employers manage the unique health and safety challenges associated with operating in remote workplaces.

Inspectors may review:

• Emergency preparedness and response
• Workplace hazards specific to remote operations
• Worker orientation, training and supervision
• Safe work procedures
• General compliance with the OHSA and applicable regulations

Explore resources to help keep workers safe in remote workplaces.

Timing: May 1 – October 31, 2026 (anticipated)

This regional initiative will focus on greenhouse operations using vine-pulling machines. Inspectors will verify that employers have identified machine related hazards and implemented appropriate controls to protect workers.

Inspectors may review:

• Machine guarding and safeguarding
• Lockout/tagout procedures during maintenance and repairs
• Safe operating procedures
• Worker training and supervision
• Hazard identification and risk assessments

Learn more about machine safety resources available from WSPS.

Timing: April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027

The MLITSD will conduct inspections of veterinary clinics across Ontario to assess compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), the X-ray Safety Regulation (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 861), and other applicable health and safety requirements.

Inspectors may:

• Verify compliance with health and safety policy, program, training, and posting requirements.
• Assess the management of ergonomic, chemical, biological, housekeeping, and psychosocial hazards.
• Evaluate infection prevention and control measures.
• Review radiation safety practices and controls for compliance with applicable requirements.

Prepare for Veterinary Clinic Inspections