Lone Worker Regulations in Ontario

Ontario companies: Application of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)

Is lone work allowed in Ontario?

Ontario companies are subject to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The OHSA in Ontario does not generally prohibit lone work. However, this is prohibited in some cases, such as for work in confined spaces for example.

Can employees refuse dangerous work?

‍Article 43 of the OHSA allows a worker to “refuse to work or do particular work where he or she has reason to believe that:

• any equipment, machine, device or thing the worker is to use or operate is likely to endanger himself, herself or another worker;
• the physical condition of the workplace or the part thereof in which he or she works or is to work is likely to endanger himself or herself […]”.

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Is it compulsory for Ontarian companies to equip their workers with Lone worker protection and Lone worker warning device?

Unlike most other provinces, Ontario does not have specific regulations regarding lone work. However, the OHSA states that employers must “take every precaution reasonable” to protect workers. It is up to the employer to take measures they consider reasonable to ensure the safety of employees working in isolated environments.