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Construction and tradesCompliance for Ontario construction and trades businesses
Construction has its own regulation for project sites. Prodigy Suite covers the employer side around it: certificates, subcontractors’ WSIB clearances, inspections, incidents and the policies every Ontario employer needs.
How Prodigy Suite handles it
Working at heights in the matrix
Workers upload their certificate; you approve it and see who is expiring before they’re sent to a site.
Subcontractors cleared
WSIB clearance, insurance and each worker’s certificates, uploaded by the subcontractor through a private link.
Site orientations
Your orientation for each worker at each site, repeated on the schedule you set.
Site inspections
A ready-made construction site checklist, or your own. Problems become tracked actions.
Incidents
Logged with Ontario’s reporting steps and deadlines, from the site, on a phone.
Office and yard covered
The policies, sign-offs and training your company needs as an Ontario employer.
- Working at heights: workers who may use fall protection on a construction project need training from an approved provider, valid for 3 years.
- Subcontractors: a WSIB clearance must be in place before construction work begins and for as long as it lasts. Working without one is an offence for both parties, with a maximum fine of $100,000.
- Project rules: O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) sets the rules for sites: notice of project, the constructor’s duties, and committee thresholds of its own.
- Prodigy Suite tracks the certificates, clearances, inspections and incidents, and drafts the policies every employer needs. It doesn’t replace your O. Reg. 213/91 program for each project.
WSIB clearances before work starts
In construction, the WSIB requires a clearance to be in place before any construction work begins and for the duration of the work. If work goes ahead without one, both the contractor and the business that hired it commit an offence, with a maximum fine of $100,000. Clearances are valid for up to 90 days, so a long job needs the next one. Contractor compliance keeps each subcontractor’s clearance, insurance and workers’ certificates current, and reminds them 14 days before anything runs out.
What Prodigy Suite covers, and what it doesn’t
Covered: working at heights and other certificates in a training matrix, subcontractors’ clearances and insurance, site inspections from a construction checklist, incidents with Ontario’s reporting steps, and the policies, sign-offs and training every Ontario employer needs.
Not covered: project-specific obligations under O. Reg. 213/91, such as the notice of project and the constructor’s duties, and the construction rules on hours, overtime and public holidays for some trades. The free audit covers the general rules only and says so.
What every Ontario construction employer needs
Working at heights training (construction, with fall protection)
Construction projects: workers who may use fall protection need approved training, renewed every 3 years.
O. Reg. 297/13, ss. 26–26.10 · Official source
WHMIS training and safety data sheets (if workers handle hazardous products)
Any workplace where workers use, handle or are exposed to hazardous products (chemicals, cleaners, fuels and similar).
OHSA, ss. 37–42; R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 860 · Official source
Basic health and safety awareness training
Every worker and supervisor, as soon as practicable after they start.
O. Reg. 297/13, ss. 1–2 · Official source
Workplace violence policy and program
Every employer needs a workplace violence policy and program. Once more than 5 workers regularly work at a workplace, the policy must be in writing and posted there.
What it must include
- A policy statement on workplace violence
- Measures and procedures to control the risks of violence identified in a risk assessment
- How to summon immediate assistance when violence occurs or is likely to occur
- How workers report incidents or threats of violence to the employer or supervisor
- How the employer will investigate and deal with incidents, complaints and threats of violence
OHSA, ss. 32.0.1–32.0.5 · Official source
Workplace harassment policy and program
Every employer needs a written workplace harassment program. Once more than 5 workers regularly work at a workplace, the policy must also be in writing and posted.
What it must include
- A policy statement on workplace harassment, including workplace sexual harassment
- Coverage of harassment that happens virtually or through technology (email, chat, social media), part of the definition since October 28, 2024
- How workers report incidents to the employer or supervisor, naming who to report to
- Someone else to report to if the employer or supervisor is the alleged harasser
- How incidents and complaints will be investigated and dealt with
- How information will be kept confidential, except where disclosure is needed to investigate, take corrective action or is required by law
- How the worker who complained and the alleged harasser will be told the results of the investigation and any corrective action
OHSA, s. 1(1) "workplace harassment"; ss. 32.0.1, 32.0.6, 32.0.7 · Official source
Occupational health and safety policy
Required in writing, and posted, where more than 5 workers regularly work. Recommended below that.
What it must include
- A written statement of the employer's occupational health and safety policy
- A commitment to a program that puts the policy into practice
- A note that the policy is reviewed at least once a year
OHSA, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, s. 25(2)(j) and (4) · Official source
First aid: a kit, a trained first aider and the Form 82 poster
Every employer covered by the WSIB: a first aid box, a certified first aider on every shift (Basic up to 5 workers on a shift, Intermediate above that), the Form 82 poster and a record of first aid given. From 200 on one shift, a first aid room.
R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 1101, ss. 1–3, 5, 6 and 8–11 · Official source
From the same rules the free audit checks, last reviewed October 13, 2026. See every requirement by size.
Common questions
How long is working at heights training valid in Ontario?
3 years. It must come from a training provider approved by the Chief Prevention Officer, and the employer keeps a record of it.
Do I need a WSIB clearance certificate from my subcontractor?
In construction, yes: it must be in place before work begins and for as long as it lasts. Working without one is an offence for you and the subcontractor, with a maximum fine of $100,000.
Does Prodigy Suite cover O. Reg. 213/91?
Not the project-specific rules, like the notice of project and the constructor’s duties. It covers the certificates, clearances, inspections, incidents and employer policies around them.
Sources
- WSIB: Clearances, frequently asked questions (updated July 20, 2026)
- e-Laws: O. Reg. 297/13 (working at heights training)
- e-Laws: O. Reg. 213/91, Construction Projects
This page summarizes Ontario’s rules as of October 25, 2026 for general information. It isn’t legal advice, and Prodigy Suite isn’t a law firm. Each rule links to the official source; for a specific situation, speak to an Ontario employment lawyer.
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