Employer investments in occupational health and safety: establishing benchmarks for Ontario

Reasons for the study

In Ontario, no information on employer expenditures and investments on occupational health and safety (OHS) is currently available. This study addressed this gap by collecting detailed estimates of firm-level spending on health and safety from Ontario employers. Data was collected on five dimensions of health and safety spending: (1) management and supervision, (2) training, (3) personal protective equipment, (4) external consulting services, and (5) health and safety improvements attributed to investments in facilities, vehicles and equipment.

Objectives of the study

  • To obtain detailed estimates of firm-level expenditures and investments in OHS for a representative sample of employers in the province on Ontario
  • To provide participating employers with a benchmarking report comparing their OHS expenditures to peer organizations in their economic sector

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Project status

Completed 2017

Research team

  • Cameron Mustard, Institute for Work & Health (PI)
  • Sabrina Imam, Institute for Work & Health
  • Morgan Lay, Institute for Work & Health
  • Kay Nasir, Institute for Work & Health
  • Emile Tompa, Institute for Work & Health

Collaborators and partners

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Association
Public Services Health and Safety Association
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

Funded by

Ontario Ministry of Labour Research Opportunities Program