Ontario Worker Health and Safety Awareness Quiz 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   What share of a joint health and safety committee must be workers who do not do managerial work?

   • ANone
   • BAt least half
   • CAt most a quarter
   • DExactly one member
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   Answer: B. At least half

   At least half the members must be non-managerial workers chosen by the workers or their union. The employer chooses the rest.

2. Question 2 of 25

   How often must a worker member of the committee, or the health and safety representative, inspect the workplace?

   • AOnce every 10 years, before the policy review
   • BNever, because only ministry inspectors inspect
   • COnly after a death or critical injury happens
   • DMonthly, or part monthly so all of it is covered yearly
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   Answer: D. Monthly, or part monthly so all of it is covered yearly

   Monthly inspections are required. If that is not practical, part of the workplace is inspected each month and all of it at least once a year.

3. Question 3 of 25

   The committee sends the employer written recommendations. How soon must the employer reply in writing?

   • AWithin 2 hours
   • BThere is no time limit
   • CWithin 21 days
   • DWithin 1 year
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   Answer: C. Within 21 days

   The employer must respond in writing within 21 days, with a timetable if it agrees or reasons if it disagrees.

4. Question 4 of 25

   A workplace has 4 workers and no special order applies. Does it need a representative or committee?

   • AYes, a full-time safety officer
   • BYes, a representative and a committee
   • CYes, a committee with 4 members
   • DNo, neither is required
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   Answer: D. No, neither is required

   Workplaces with 5 or fewer workers need neither a committee nor a representative, unless a designated substance regulation or an order applies.

5. Question 5 of 25

   When may a worker refuse work under s. 43 of the Act?

   • AWhen they would rather do a different task that day
   • BWhen they have reason to believe the work is likely to endanger them or another worker
   • CWhen the work is boring or not part of their usual job
   • DWhen it is close to the end of their shift and they are tired
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   Answer: B. When they have reason to believe the work is likely to endanger them or another worker

   A worker may refuse if equipment, the workplace condition or workplace violence is likely to endanger them, or if a contravention creates that danger.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What is the first thing a worker does when refusing unsafe work?

   • ATell the supervisor or employer right away and explain why
   • BPost a complaint about the job on social media
   • CLeave the workplace and go home until called back
   • DCall a lawyer before speaking to anyone at work
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   Answer: A. Tell the supervisor or employer right away and explain why

   Under s. 43(4), the worker must promptly report the refusal and the reason to the supervisor or employer.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Where does the worker stay during the first stage of a work refusal investigation?

   • AAt the dangerous machine, so they can keep an eye on it
   • BAt home, until the employer calls them back to work
   • CIn a safe place near their workstation, available to help
   • DIn the parking lot, away from all co-workers
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   Answer: C. In a safe place near their workstation, available to help

   During the investigation, the worker stays in a safe place near the workstation and remains available, unless given other reasonable work.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Who must be present when the employer or supervisor investigates a work refusal?

   • ANobody, because the employer investigates alone
   • BThe worker and a worker representative, such as a committee member
   • COnly the employer's lawyer and the business owner
   • DA police officer and the local fire chief
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   Answer: B. The worker and a worker representative, such as a committee member

   The investigation is done with the worker and a worker member of the committee, the representative, or a worker chosen by the workers or union.

9. Question 9 of 25

   The problem is not fixed and the worker still believes the work is unsafe. What happens next?

   • AThe worker is fired for refusing a second time
   • BThe refusal ends on its own after one hour
   • CThe worker may keep refusing, and a ministry inspector is notified
   • DThe worker must go back to the work right away
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   Answer: C. The worker may keep refusing, and a ministry inspector is notified

   At stage two, the worker can continue to refuse. The worker, employer or a representative calls an inspector, who investigates.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How does the inspector give a decision after investigating a work refusal?

    • AInspectors never make a decision on refusals
    • BIn writing, to the worker, the employer and the worker representative
    • CBy a notice published in a local newspaper
    • DBy a text message sent only to the worker
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    Answer: B. In writing, to the worker, the employer and the worker representative

    The inspector gives a written decision. If the work is likely to endanger someone, the inspector will usually order the hazard fixed.

11. Question 11 of 25

    The employer asks another worker to do the work that was refused. What must that worker be told?

    • AThat the work was refused and why, in the presence of a worker representative
    • BThat the work now pays double because it is risky
    • CNothing at all, to avoid delaying the work
    • DOnly that the first worker went home sick today
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    Answer: A. That the work was refused and why, in the presence of a worker representative

    Under s. 43(11), the second worker must be told about the refusal and the reasons. That worker also has the right to refuse.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which workers have limits on their right to refuse?

    • AAll part-time and seasonal workers in Ontario
    • BSome, such as police and firefighters, when danger is part of the job
    • CAll workers who are under 18 years of age
    • DAll workers in retail stores and restaurants
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    Answer: B. Some, such as police and firefighters, when danger is part of the job

    Some workers, including police, firefighters and certain health care workers, cannot refuse when the danger is inherent in the work or refusing would endanger someone.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What is a reprisal under the Act?

    • AScheduling a safety meeting during paid hours
    • BTraining a worker on a new piece of equipment
    • CPunishing or threatening a worker for following the Act
    • DGiving a worker a raise for good safety work
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    Answer: C. Punishing or threatening a worker for following the Act

    Employers and supervisors must not punish, fire or threaten a worker for acting under the Act or seeking its enforcement.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Where can a worker file a complaint about a reprisal?

    • AThe Ontario Medical Association
    • BThe local library
    • CThe Canada Revenue Agency
    • DThe Ontario Labour Relations Board
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    Answer: D. The Ontario Labour Relations Board

    The workbook says a worker who faces a reprisal can file a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board, or a union member can go through the union.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which office gives free advice to non-union workers about reprisals?

    • AThe Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
    • BThe Ministry of Transportation
    • CThe Office of the Worker Adviser
    • DThe Office of the Premier
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    Answer: C. The Office of the Worker Adviser

    The Office of the Worker Adviser offers free advice and representation to non-unionized workers who face a reprisal.

16. Question 16 of 25

    You want to report a serious workplace hazard to the ministry. What can you do?

    • ACall the ministry's Health and Safety Contact Centre
    • BWait for the workplace's yearly inspection
    • COnly write a letter to the Premier of Ontario
    • DNothing, because workers cannot contact the ministry
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    Answer: A. Call the ministry's Health and Safety Contact Centre

    The workbook lists the Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008. Critical injuries, deaths and work refusals can be reported at any time, and you may call anonymously.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) provide?

    • ADriver's licences for workers who drive
    • BFree vacations for workers after a busy season
    • CBuilding permits for new workplaces
    • DNo-fault workplace insurance for employers and workers
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    Answer: D. No-fault workplace insurance for employers and workers

    The WSIB provides no-fault workplace insurance. It is one of the external partners in Ontario's health and safety system.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which group gives sector-specific health and safety training and advice, such as for construction?

    • AA parent-teacher association
    • BA tenants' association
    • CA sports association
    • DA sector health and safety association
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    Answer: D. A sector health and safety association

    Ontario has four health and safety associations. Each serves certain sectors with consulting, training and products.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Which poster must be displayed in Ontario workplaces?

    • AHealth and Safety at Work: Prevention Starts Here
    • BA poster of the week's lunch menu
    • CA poster of the company's sales targets
    • DA poster listing workers' wages
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    Answer: A. Health and Safety at Work: Prevention Starts Here

    The workbook lists this ministry poster among the items that must be posted, along with the Act and the names of representatives or committee members.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What is workplace harassment under the Act?

    • AAny disagreement about a work schedule
    • BA single polite request to finish a task
    • CUnwelcome vexatious comments or conduct against a worker
    • DA supervisor giving normal work instructions
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    Answer: C. Unwelcome vexatious comments or conduct against a worker

    Workplace harassment is a course of vexatious comment or conduct known or reasonably known to be unwelcome. It includes workplace sexual harassment.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Your supervisor gives you reasonable directions about how to do your job. Is that harassment?

    • AOnly if the direction is given to you in writing
    • BYes, if you disagree with how the work is assigned
    • CYes, any direction from a supervisor is harassment
    • DNo, reasonable action to manage and direct workers is not harassment
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    Answer: D. No, reasonable action to manage and direct workers is not harassment

    Section 1(4) of the Act says reasonable action by an employer or supervisor about managing and directing workers is not workplace harassment.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which of these counts as workplace violence under the Act?

    • AA respectful complaint about pay or hours
    • BA request for a day off to see a doctor
    • CA statement that is reasonably seen as a threat of force
    • DA training session on WHMIS labels
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    Answer: C. A statement that is reasonably seen as a threat of force

    Workplace violence includes physical force, attempted force, and statements or behaviour a worker could reasonably see as a threat of force.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What must an employer do if it knows domestic violence is likely to expose a worker to physical injury at work?

    • AFire the worker to remove the risk from the site
    • BOnly tell the worker to stay home until it stops
    • CNothing, because it is a private family matter
    • DTake every reasonable precaution to protect the worker
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    Answer: D. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the worker

    Section 32.0.4 requires the employer to take every reasonable precaution when domestic violence may expose a worker to injury in the workplace.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A worker is critically injured at work. Whom must the employer notify immediately?

    • AOnly the company's insurance company
    • BAn inspector, the committee or representative, and the union
    • CNobody until the start of the next business day
    • DOnly the worker's family and the family doctor
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    Answer: B. An inspector, the committee or representative, and the union

    Section 51 requires immediate notice of a death or critical injury to an inspector, the committee or representative, and the trade union.

25. Question 25 of 25

    After a death or critical injury at work, how soon must the employer send a written report to a ministry Director?

    • AWithin 1 year
    • BNo written report is needed
    • CWithin 48 hours
    • DWithin 30 days
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Within 48 hours

    Section 51 requires immediate notice by phone or other direct means, and then a written report to a Director within 48 hours.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: No official exam or pass mark. The requirement is to complete an awareness program that covers the content set by O. Reg. 297/13, and the employer keeps the record.