When you’re starting to drown between employee concerns, payroll duties and helping your CEO -- HR Insider is there to help get the logistical work out of the way.
Need a policy because of a recent regulatory change? We’ve got it for you. Need some quick training on a specific HR topic? We’ve got it for you. HR Insider provides the resources you need to craft, implement and monitor policies with confidence. Our team of experts (which includes lawyers, analysts and HR professionals) keep track of complex legislation, pending changes, new interpretations and evolving case law to provide you with the policies and procedures to keep you ahead of problems. FIND OUT MORE...
Ask The Expert: How Long Must You Retain Your Monthly Workplace Inspection Records in Ontario?

QUESTION

How long does an employer in Ontario have to retain its monthly workplace inspection sheets’

 

ANSWER

Ontario doesn’t specify a retention time but best practices dictate hanging onto inspection records for at least a year.

 

EXPLANATION

Ontario OHS laws require employers and safety committees to do monthly workplace inspections but don’t say anything about inspection records and how long to keep them. The only retention requirements pertain to specific types of inspections, such as cranes at construction project sites. The basic rule is that the employer must make the inspection records available to MOL inspectors and the workplace safety committee or representative for at least one year. And based on the OHS requirements outside Ontario, I think the one-year minimum is also advisable in Ontario (and other jurisdictions) that don’t have an express retention requirement for general workplace inspection records.