What PPE Do Ontario Employers Have to Provide?
If you run a business in Ontario, personal protective equipment (PPE) is not optional where hazards exist. This guide gives a plain-language overview of who is responsible for what. It is general information, not legal advice. For your specific workplace, check the current Act and regulations on the Government of Ontario website, or ask a health and safety professional.
The law in one paragraph
Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) places duties on employers, supervisors and workers. The detailed PPE rules sit in regulations for each sector, such as Regulation 851 (Industrial Establishments) for factories, warehouses, shops and restaurants, and O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) for construction. Health care workplaces have their own regulation as well.
Who does what
| Role | Main PPE duties |
|---|---|
| Employer | Assess hazards, provide the PPE the regulations require, keep it in good condition, and train workers to use it |
| Supervisor | Make sure workers wear and use the required PPE, and tell them about hazards |
| Worker | Wear and use the PPE the employer requires, and report missing or damaged equipment |
Start with a hazard assessment
PPE is the last line of defence. First try to remove or control the hazard, for example with guards, ventilation or safer chemicals. Then decide what PPE is still needed. For each task, ask:
- Can something fall on or hit the head or feet?
- Are there flying particles, splashes or bright light that could hurt the eyes?
- Are there sharp edges, chemicals, heat or cold that could injure the hands or skin?
- Is there dust, fumes or mist in the air?
- Is it loud enough that people have to raise their voices?
- Do workers work near traffic or moving equipment?
Standards to look for
| Protection | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Head | CSA Z94.1 (industrial protective headwear) | Mont-Blanc Cap Style Hard Hat with HDPE Shell |
| Eyes and face | CSA Z94.3 (eye and face protectors) | Ronco Black Frame With Clear Lens Adjustable Safety Glasses |
| Feet | CSA Z195 (protective footwear) | PIP PVC Boots CSA Approved. 16" Steel TOE |
| Respiratory | NIOSH approval, with a program based on CSA Z94.4 | 3M 8210 N95 Dust Mask, 3M™ Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator |
| High visibility | CSA Z96 | Where your site requires certified hi-vis apparel |
On construction projects, protective headwear and protective footwear are generally required for everyone on site.
Hands and skin
There is no single glove for every job. Match the glove to the hazard:
- Chemicals and cleaning: nitrile, neoprene or PVC, such as Green-Touch Nitrile Reusable Gloves 22Mil 18" or Showa Neoprene Gloves, Smooth Finish, 12", Black. Check the chemical’s safety data sheet (SDS).
- Cuts: rated cut-resistant gloves, such as Cut-Resistance Gloves Level A4, Micro Nitrile Coated Palm.
- Heat: heat-resistant gloves, such as Baker's Terry Cloth Oven Mitt Gloves Kevlar Patch.
- Food handling and exams: disposable nitrile, such as SkyBlue Shield Nitrile Examination Gloves.
Hearing
Regulation 381/15 sets limits on noise exposure in Ontario workplaces. Where noise cannot be reduced enough, hearing protection such as LittleEar Bullet Shaped Foam Ear Plug with PVC Cord, Orange is needed, along with training on how to wear it.
Training and records
- Show workers how to put on, adjust, remove and care for each item.
- Explain the limits: a bump cap is not a hard hat, and a dust mask does not stop vapours.
- Keep simple records of what was issued and who was trained.
- Replace damaged PPE right away.
Make compliance easy
People wear PPE when it fits, is comfortable and is easy to grab. Stock every size, and put a PPE station at the entrance. See our guide on how to set up a PPE station.
Frequently asked questions
Does the employer have to pay for PPE?
Generally, where a regulation requires the employer to provide PPE, the employer provides it. Some items, such as safety boots, may be covered by other arrangements in a workplace. Check the regulation for your sector and any collective agreement.
Can a worker refuse to wear PPE?
Workers must wear the PPE their employer requires. If PPE does not fit or causes a problem, they should report it so it can be fixed.
Where can I read the actual rules?
The OHSA and its regulations are published on the Government of Ontario’s e-Laws website.