Workplace Health & Safety Training: 2025 Employer Compliance Checklist

Every Canadian employer has a responsibility to protect workers and maintain a safe environment. Investing in workplace health and safety training is not just a legal requirement. It also lowers risks and builds a strong safety culture. This shows that you are compliant, invest in your workforce to increase employee retention, and demonstrate care in ensuring your most important assets, your people, get home safe.

According to the Government of Canada’s 2022 report on occupational injuries, there were 67 workplace fatalities and over 18,000 disabling injuries in a single year. Many of these incidents could have been prevented with proper training and compliance planning.

As 2025 begins, here’s a practical compliance checklist to ensure your team has the right training in place.

2025 Employer Safety Training Checklist

Hazardous Materials & Chemical Safety

Workers who handle or are exposed to hazardous products must complete training under WHMIS, and with the deadline to transition compliance to the 7th edition of the Hazardous Products Regulations update nearing on December 14, 2025, this is an opportune time to prepare your workers for the updates.

If your workforce is expected to handle, offer for transport or transport dangerous goods, they also require their Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certification. Employers are also responsible for keeping training records and ensuring certifications are renewed.

Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC)

Every workplace in Canada with 20 or more workers requires a JHSC, and JHSC members need training to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. The requirements for JHSC training will differ based on your location.

In Ontario specifically, workplaces must have at least two certified JHSC members with CPO-approved certification. Certification requires completion of both Part 1 and Part 2, plus refresher training every three years. These programs help committees fulfill their duty to inspect workplaces, investigate incidents, and recommend improvements.

Mandated JHSC Training for Ontario Workplaces:

Recommended JHSC Training for other Provinces:

Respectful & Compliant Workplace Conduct

Bill C-65 of the Canada Labour Code makes workplace violence and harassment training a mandatory requirement for federally regulated employers. Harassment and violence prevention training is also mandatory in most provinces. Employers must provide employees with awareness and procedures to address inappropriate behaviour, substance use, and other risks to a respectful workplace. Additionally, employers and employees both need to understand their responsibilities in regards to alcohol and cannabis policies.

We have a thorough suite of training to strengthen your workplace’s culture, inclusiveness, and safety.

The benefits of these programs go beyond compliance. Training protects your people, your culture, and your bottom line.

PPE & Equipment Safety

Legislation requires employers to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure employees know how to use it properly. Training is also essential for ladders, scaffolds, and other workplace equipment.

Driver & Transportation Safety

Employers with workers who drive as part of their job must provide defensive driving training. This reduces collisions, improves driver confidence, and supports compliance with occupational health and safety obligations.

Through our partnership with Fleet Safety International (FSI), Danatec’s courses teach the SAFER System—Space, Attitude, Foresight, Eyesight, and Responsibility—a proven framework that helps drivers anticipate hazards, maintain safe distances, and take accountability on the road.

Class 5 training (Class G in Ontario) covers defensive driving, winter driving, and trailer safety for standard vehicle operators. This driver training helps new and experienced drivers. Class 1-4 training (Class A-D in Ontario) equips commercial drivers with skills in areas like inspections, cargo securement, hours of service compliance, and professional driving behaviour. This driver training helps transportation professionals, fleet operators, and bus drivers.

Working at Heights

Falls are consistently one of the top causes of workplace injuries in Canada. Any employee working above ground level must have accredited fall protection training.

Outdoors & Remote Work Awareness

For crews working outside or in remote locations, environmental training protects workers from unique risks such as wildlife or tick-borne illnesses.

Why an Annual Compliance Review Matters

Training is not a one-and-done exercise. Certifications expire, regulations change, and workplace risks evolve. Conducting an annual training review ensures your workforce stays compliant and ready for the year ahead.

Benefits of an annual review include:

Meeting OH&S compliance requirements.
Refreshing employee knowledge and building confidence.
Reinforcing a workplace safety culture where everyone plays a role.
Building a safer workplace and improve your team’s operations

Protect Your Team with Danatec

Danatec has been Canada’s trusted safety training partner for 40 years. Our workplace health and safety training catalogue includes WHMIS, fall protection, JHSC certification, violence and harassment prevention, and PPE awareness.

With instant digital certification, flexible delivery (online, blended, and instructor-led), and bulk pricing for employers, Danatec makes compliance simple and effective.

Please reach out to our team with any questions—we’re here to provide the expert support you need.