Ontario Worker Health and Safety Awareness Quiz 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   What is the main job of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in workplace safety?

   • ATo pay workers' wages when an employer cannot pay
   • BTo set, communicate and enforce health and safety standards
   • CTo sell safety equipment to employers at low prices
   • DTo run each workplace's daily operations, shifts and work schedules
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   Answer: B. To set, communicate and enforce health and safety standards

   The ministry is an external party. It sets, communicates and enforces standards while encouraging workplaces to be self-reliant.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Who is a supervisor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act?

   • AOnly the business owner
   • BA person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker
   • CAny worker with more than 5 years of experience at the same workplace
   • DOnly a person with the job title of manager
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   Answer: B. A person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker

   The Act defines a supervisor by authority, not by title. A lead hand who directs other workers can be a supervisor.

3. Question 3 of 25

   You notice a broken guard on a machine. What is your duty as a worker?

   • AWait until the end of the month
   • BFix it yourself quickly without telling anyone about it
   • CReport it to your supervisor or employer
   • DIgnore it if the machine still works
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   Answer: C. Report it to your supervisor or employer

   Section 28 of the Act requires workers to report known hazards and missing or defective equipment to their employer or supervisor.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which behaviour does s. 28 of the Act forbid at work?

   • ATaking a scheduled break away from the work area during a shift
   • BAsking questions about safety during a shift
   • CReporting a hazard to the supervisor in writing
   • DPranks, contests, feats of strength or rough conduct
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   Answer: D. Pranks, contests, feats of strength or rough conduct

   Workers must not engage in pranks, contests, feats of strength, unnecessary running or rough conduct, because these cause injuries.

5. Question 5 of 25

   When may a worker remove a required protective device from a machine?

   • ANever, not even for repairs, even when another adequate device is put in place
   • BWhenever a co-worker or lead hand says it is okay
   • COnly with an adequate temporary device, and the original goes back promptly
   • DWhenever the device slows down the work too much
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   Answer: C. Only with an adequate temporary device, and the original goes back promptly

   The Act says a worker must not remove or disable a required device unless an adequate temporary device is used, and must restore it promptly.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Your employer requires safety glasses for a task. What must you do?

   • AWear them only when the supervisor is watching
   • BWear them only on your first day
   • CDecide for yourself if they are needed
   • DWear them as required
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   Answer: D. Wear them as required

   Workers must use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing that the employer requires.

7. Question 7 of 25

   You have a close call at work, but nobody is hurt. What should you do?

   • AKeep it to yourself
   • BReport it to your supervisor or employer right away
   • CReport it only if the same close call happens three times
   • DPost about it online instead
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   Answer: B. Report it to your supervisor or employer right away

   The workbook says to report any hazard, injury, incident or close call right away. Close calls show where the next injury could happen.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Which is a duty of a supervisor under s. 27 of the Act?

   • APay workers' medical bills personally after any injury at work
   • BWrite the province's safety laws and regulations
   • CInspect workers' homes for hazards once a year
   • DTell workers about any known potential or actual danger
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   Answer: D. Tell workers about any known potential or actual danger

   Section 27 requires supervisors to advise workers of known dangers and to take every reasonable precaution to protect them.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which general duty does s. 25(2)(h) of the Act place on the employer?

   • AHire only workers who have past experience in the same job
   • BTake every precaution reasonable in the circumstances
   • CGive every worker a company car and phone
   • DLet workers set all of their own safety rules
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   Answer: B. Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances

   This general duty applies even where no specific regulation covers a hazard. It is one of the most important employer duties.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Who may an employer appoint as a supervisor?

    • AA competent person
    • BOnly a family member
    • COnly a worker under 18
    • DAnyone, with no training
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    Answer: A. A competent person

    Section 25(2)(c) requires employers to appoint competent persons as supervisors, so the people directing work know the law and the dangers.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What makes a person competent under the Act?

    • ABeing the oldest or longest-serving worker on site
    • BHolding a valid driver's licence, a first aid card and a high school diploma
    • CKnowledge, training and experience, and knowing the law and the dangers
    • DOwning the business or a share of the company
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    Answer: C. Knowledge, training and experience, and knowing the law and the dangers

    A competent person is qualified by knowledge, training and experience, knows the Act and regulations, and knows the potential or actual dangers.

12. Question 12 of 25

    An employer regularly has more than 5 workers. What must it have under s. 25(2)(j)?

    • AA swimming pool or gym for workers to use on breaks
    • BNo policy at all, because only large firms need one
    • CA full-time doctor and nurse on site during every single shift, including weekends
    • DA written policy, reviewed at least yearly, and a program to carry it out
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    Answer: D. A written policy, reviewed at least yearly, and a program to carry it out

    Employers with more than 5 regular workers must prepare a written policy, review it at least yearly and keep a program to put it into practice.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What must an employer post about the Act, or make available electronically?

    • AEach worker's pay rate and hours for the coming month
    • BThe Act and explanatory material in English and the majority language
    • CA list of every worker's home address and phone number
    • DThe employer's tax return and yearly financial report for the past three years
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    Answer: B. The Act and explanatory material in English and the majority language

    Section 25(2)(i) requires a copy of the Act and explanatory material in English and the majority language of the workplace.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does the right to know mean?

    • AYou must be told about hazards in your work and how to work safely
    • BYou may read your co-workers' medical files whenever you want to check them
    • CYou may know the owner's home address and phone number
    • DYou may see the employer's bank and financial records
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    Answer: A. You must be told about hazards in your work and how to work safely

    The right to know means your employer and supervisor must tell you about hazards and instruct you on how to do the work safely.

15. Question 15 of 25

    When are new and young workers in Ontario most likely to be injured, according to the ministry workbook?

    • AIn their first month on the job
    • BIn their fifth year, once they are comfortable
    • COnly after a holiday
    • DOnly on weekends
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    Answer: A. In their first month on the job

    The workbook says new and young workers are about three times more likely to be injured in their first month than at any other time.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does WHMIS require for workers who use hazardous materials?

    • AA university degree in chemistry before handling products
    • BNothing for workers, because WHMIS rules apply only to suppliers and importers
    • CA complete ban on all chemicals in every workplace
    • DInformation and instruction on using, storing and disposing of them safely
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    Answer: D. Information and instruction on using, storing and disposing of them safely

    The WHMIS rules require every worker to get information and instruction on hazardous materials, found on labels and information sheets.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Which of these is a hazard that may be hard to see?

    • AA closed door
    • BA clearly marked staircase
    • CA well-lit hallway
    • DFumes or toxic dust in the air
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    Answer: D. Fumes or toxic dust in the air

    The workbook warns that chemicals, fumes and toxic dust are less visible hazards, and their effects may appear only months or years later.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which of these is a common workplace hazard named in the workbook?

    • ADrinking water from the staff room tap during breaks
    • BRepetitive movements and awkward positions
    • CReading the notice board on a break
    • DWearing a clean company uniform
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    Answer: B. Repetitive movements and awkward positions

    Repetitive movements, awkward positions and forceful lifting can cause injuries. They are among the common hazards the workbook lists.

19. Question 19 of 25

    In the hierarchy of control, what is the best way to deal with a hazard?

    • AGive everyone gloves and safety glasses
    • BPost a warning sign near the hazard
    • CEliminate it, such as by replacing a toxic chemical
    • DTell workers to be careful around it
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    Answer: C. Eliminate it, such as by replacing a toxic chemical

    Elimination removes the hazard completely, so it is the most effective control. Protective equipment comes last.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Better ventilation is an example of which type of control?

    • AAn administrative control
    • BPersonal protective equipment
    • CElimination
    • DAn engineering control
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    Answer: D. An engineering control

    Engineering controls reduce exposure through physical changes to the workplace, such as ventilation or barriers around equipment.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Rotating workers so each spends less time on a noisy task is an example of which control?

    • AAn engineering control, like a barrier
    • BPersonal protective equipment
    • CAn administrative or work practice control
    • DElimination of the noise hazard
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    Answer: C. An administrative or work practice control

    Administrative controls change how work is arranged to reduce how long or how often workers are exposed to a hazard.

22. Question 22 of 25

    When is protective equipment such as a hard hat used in the hierarchy of control?

    • AWhen the hazard still exists after the other controls are used
    • BNever, because it is not allowed in Ontario
    • COnly in office jobs where hazards are low
    • DAlways first, before any other control is tried
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    Answer: A. When the hazard still exists after the other controls are used

    Protective equipment is the last step because it does not remove the hazard. It is used when other controls cannot fully protect workers.

23. Question 23 of 25

    A workplace regularly has 12 workers and no committee is required. What must it have?

    • AA joint health and safety committee with 10 members
    • BNothing at all
    • CA full-time inspector
    • DA health and safety representative
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    Answer: D. A health and safety representative

    A health and safety representative is required where more than 5 workers are regularly employed and no committee is required.

24. Question 24 of 25

    How many workers must a workplace regularly have before a joint health and safety committee is generally required?

    • A20 or more
    • B2 or more
    • C100 or more
    • D500 or more
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    Answer: A. 20 or more

    Most workplaces that regularly employ 20 or more workers must have a joint health and safety committee.

25. Question 25 of 25

    A workplace has 60 workers. What is the minimum number of members on its joint health and safety committee?

    • A1 member
    • B4 members
    • C2 members
    • D20 members
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    Answer: B. 4 members

    A committee needs at least 2 members if fewer than 50 workers, and at least 4 members if there are 50 or more workers.

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.