Accreditation is finally here.

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development unveiled some of the details about its new accreditation standard for health and safety management programs at an event on November 22.

The program, Supporting Ontario's Safe Employers, will formally recognize employers who successfully implement health and safety programs in their workplaces. The financial rewards—as much as $140 million—will come in the form of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) rebates over a three-year period. It is the first program of its kind in the country.

"We know that good health and safety practices save lives," said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. "But they also save money. This program is a reflection of that fact. Our government wants to do everything it can to make workers safer and help businesses save money."

Research has shown that organized, systematic approaches to health and safety increase worker participation in health and safety practices, encourage ongoing improvement and help reduce workplace injuries and illness. Similar programs in Europe and Japan have resulted in a decline in workplace accidents.

"This is a big step for Ontario's health and safety community as we continue to move forward in protecting workers," said Chief Prevention Officer Ron Kelusky. "We're adopting innovative approaches to become a modern regulator. Industry has long asked for rewards for employers who successfully promote health and safety in their workplace."

"We have supported the concept of accreditation and recognizing good employers for the past 10 years and are pleased that the current government is moving forward with this important health and safety initiative," said Ian Cunningham, President, Ontario Council of Construction Associations.

The program is open to any employer in Ontario, regardless of size or sector. It is made up of two parts:

• accreditation of an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS), and
• recognition of employers who have implemented an accredited OHSMS and met other criteria set by the CPO, including third-party audit, Occupational Health and Safety Act compliance, and worker participation.

Employers who have received CPO recognition may be eligible to receive WSIB premium rebates. The board will invest an estimated $140 million in rebates over the next three years.

In addition, the names of recognized employers will be posted on the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development's website. These employers will be able to brand themselves as CPO-recognized.

Dovetailing with HSEP
Supporting Ontario's Safe Employers runs in parallel with the Health and Safety Excellence program, which WSIB announced earlier this month. Where the government program recognizes employers who have already implemented health and safety management systems, the WSIB's encourages those employers without programs to develop one.

"We know that businesses across the province strive to make their workplaces as healthy and safe as possible for their employees," said Elizabeth Witmer, WSIB Chair. "Our new Health and Safety Excellence program gives them a roadmap to improve health and safety, whether they're just getting started or want to optimize processes they already have in place."

“A lot of wisdom has gone into the design of these programs,” says Cunningham. “There is a high degree of cooperation and collaboration that has gone into encouraging employers to implement health and safety management systems. And with good reason: evidence shows that those who use these systems have much better health and safety performance.”

Applying for accreditation
The province has set out a standard to guide employers in the development and implementation of an OHSMS for workplaces in Ontario. This standard is available on the Ontario government website. The CPO will accredit an OHSMS or an OHSMS standard if it meets the published requirements.

Organizations can implement their OHSMS based on an existing standard that has been accredited by the CPO, or develop their own system and apply to have it accredited. National and international standards already accredited by the CPO include:

• ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational health and safety management systems
• CSA Z45001-19 – Occupational health and safety management systems
• BS OHSAS 18001:2007 – Occupational health and safety management system
• COR 2020 – updated standard to be available to implement in January 2020

If an employer fully implements one of these standards, they do not need to apply for accreditation. If an employer has an OHSMS in place that is not yet accredited, they can apply for accreditation beginning in January 2020.

Applying for employer recognition
Those companies wishing to obtain formal CPO recognition for their OHSMSs must first complete the accreditation program. They can then apply for CPO employer recognition. To be eligible, they must:

• provide the CPO with verification of successful OHSMS implementation through a third-party audit,
• meet performance criteria demonstrating compliance with Ontario's workplace health and safety legislation, and
  demonstrate a commitment to worker participation and the internal responsibility system at the workplace.

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development says more information about Supporting Ontario's Safe Employers will be available soon. The program will be formally launched in the new year.