1. Accreditation Update
Regional Municipality of Durham
March 15, 2018

2. Background
Recommendation #23 of the Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety (2010) recommended that Ontario should have a voluntary accreditation program
The aim is to recognize workplaces, in partnership with workers, supervisors and employers, who successfully implement health and safety management systems
Labour and employer stakeholders have sought the recognition of workplaces with strong health and safety management systems and performance, beyond minimum compliance in Ontario since the 1990’s
Generally, research suggests that organizations with OHSMS experience improved safety environments, increased hazard reporting by workers, increased organizational interest in occupational health and safety, reduced rates of lost-time injuries, and a decrease in workers’ compensation premiums

3. Purpose of Voluntary OHSMS Accreditation
The objective of a voluntary accreditation and employer recognition program is to motivate Ontario employers to improve injury prevention and workplace safety through the adoption of occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) that go beyond minimum compliance with the OHSA
Purpose of an Accreditation Standard:
Outline a best practice standard for effective health and safety management systems, programs and practices;
Reinforce the cooperation of all workplace parties in the promotion of the Internal Responsibility System;
Encourage workplaces without health and safety systems to work towards adopting them;
Encourage employers who have already implemented health and safety systems to engage in the continual improvement of their systems; and
Encourage employers and workers to champion health and safety in their sector.

4. Amendments to the OHSA
Changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) received Royal Assent in December These changes provide the CPO with the authority to:
Establish standards that occupational health and safety management systems would need to meet to become accredited by the CPO;
Approve existing or new occupational health and safety management systems that meet the CPO’s standard;
Recognize employers that have been certified by an approved occupational health and safety management system and meet any additional criteria established by the CPO;
Publish the names of accredited programs and recognized employers;
Ability to allow the delegation of certain functions of the CPO relating to approvals of training programs and providers as well as accreditation and employer recognition, to a third party outside the ministry.
In addition, the following definition was added to the OHSA which defines Health and Safety Management Systems:
“health and safety management system” means a coordinated system of procedures, processes and other measures that is designed to be implemented by employers in order to promote continuous improvement in occupational health and safety

5. MOL Voluntary OHSMS Accreditation and Employer Recognition Program Model
The recent changes to the OHSA allow for the following:
Formal occupational health and safety management systems that meet the CPO Accreditation Standard can be accredited by the CPO;
A workplace specific occupational health and safety management system that meets the CPO Accreditation Standard can be accredited by the CPO;
An existing certification process incorporates missing elements in order to meet the CPO Accreditation Standard could then be accredited by the CPO
Employer recognition
An employer meets additional criteria set by the CPO in order to be recognized

6. Accreditation and Employer Recognition Process
CPO Establishes Accreditation Standard
CPO evaluates OHSMS against the CPO Standard
CPO Accredits OHSMS
Voluntary CPO OHSMS Accreditation Process
CPO establishes Employer Recognition Criteria
Employer selects and successfully implements a CPO-accredited OHSMS
Employer applies for CPO recognition
Employer assessed against employer recognition criteria
CPO recognizes employers who meet CPO criteria
Voluntary CPO Employer Recognition Process 6

7. OHSMS Accreditation Standard
MOL published a draft OHSMS accreditation standard for public consultation.
The draft standard set out 19 elements that are consistent with existing OHSMS.
An employer wishing to be recognized by the CPO would be required to implement each of the elements in consultation with workers or their representatives.
The draft standard is intended to allow employers to implement a customized management system or an existing national or internationally recognized OHSMS, so long as those systems are accredited by the CPO.
The key elements for successful implementation of an OHSMS are Leadership & Commitment, Worker Participation, Risk Assessment & Determination of Controls, and the concept of Continual Improvement using the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle.

8. Draft OHSMS Accreditation Standard Elements
The ministry consulted on the following elements in the Draft CPO OHSMS Accreditation Standard. These elements were drafted to ensure consistency with nationally and internationally recognized OHSMS standards, which include best practices for an employer implementing a standardized and systemic approach to OHS in Ontario.
The draft CPO OHSMS Accreditation Standard received significant stakeholder input from labour, employer, and subject matter experts, which validated the standard as drafted. Stakeholder feedback has been incorporated in a revised draft, where appropriate.
Elements of the Draft CPO OHSMS Accreditation Standard
Leadership and Commitment
OHS Objectives
Management of Contractors
Worker Participation
Competency and Training
Performance Measuring and Monitoring
Communication
Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Incident Investigation and Analysis
OHS Policy
Documentation, Control of Documents/Records
Non-Conformity, Preventative and Corrective Action
Identification of Hazards, Risk Assessment and Determination of Controls
Management of Change
Internal Audit
Preventative and Protective Control Measures
Procurement
Management Review
Legal and Other Requirements

9. Current Status: Consultation
10 November 2018
Current Status: Consultation
The consultation began on November 6, 2017 and closed January 26, 2018.
The consultation focused on key elements of the program (such as incentives, etc.), on the draft CPO OHSMS Accreditation Standard, and on potential employer recognition criteria.
The feedback focussed on the following areas:
Respondents were generally supportive of the draft standard and did not ask for major changes.
Some respondents noted that the draft standard aligns with those that are most internationally recognized as best practice.
Respondents generally felt that the draft standard provides sufficient flexibility for the development and implementation of OHSMS for workplaces of all sizes and for all business sectors.
Accreditation Standard
Most employers feel that financial incentives (e.g. premium reductions) are necessary to incent participation.
Other stakeholders are supportive of financial assistance, or other methods to assist in implementing an OHSMS (e.g., an excellence fund).
Lack of time/money/expertise were seen as biggest barriers to participating.
Employer Incentives
Stakeholders have generally been supportive of the idea of aligning this program with the existing WSIB prevention programs.
Alignment with Prevention Programs

10. Labour Feedback
Labour stakeholders have been generally supportive of the development of an OHSMS Accreditation and Employer Recognition Program, depending on the details of implementation. Initial feedback has included:
Worker or union involvement in the development and confirmation of an employers OHSMS
Consideration of the inclusion of workplace violence as part of an OHSMS
Concerns have been expressed regarding the potential impact on contract requirements for small and medium business, in particular in the construction industry
Would like to see support for business through a continuum for those who may not be capable of implementing an OHSMS in their workplace

11. Employer Feedback
Employer Stakeholders have indicated support for the development of an OHSMS Accreditation and Employer Recognition standard and program. Initial feedback received has indicated:
Support for the development of a standard, or standards that allow for the participation of small and medium sized businesses
Support for the development of a standard that encompasses elements from existing OHSMS standards in the system
Desire to ensure recognition requirements are ongoing and sustained in a workplace
Support for health and safety program development through supply chains to encourage organizations who are marginally invested in health and safety to enhance their programs
Suggestions that assistance for developing OHSMS in workplaces could be delivered through Health and Safety Associations
Considerations for incentives to be made available for assistance in implementing and OHSMS and to provide assistance in maintenance of programs after successful implementation, in particular with small and medium sized business
Confirmation of the importance of 3rd party audit of systems for confirmation and suggestions for the MOL to potentially develop an auditing standard
Support the development of comprehensive evaluation criteria for the potential compliance history evaluation in MOL database

12. Next Steps Continue review consultation feedback
Finalize standard and employer recognition criteria
Work out administrative details and incentives

13. Contact Information
For any additional questions:
Kristen Gamble, Policy Analyst
Shahanaz Khan, Program Manager