What You Need To Know About Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps Training
What is 4 Step Awareness?
The 4 Steps Safety Awareness training is mandatory for all new workers in Ontario. Employers must ensure that all workers—including summer students, co-op students, and unpaid workers—complete the required Basic Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training. Our program fully complies with these legal requirements and is accessible on nearly any device, allowing you to complete it anytime and anywhere. These training requirements are specified in Regulation 297/13 – Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training. The training offered by AixSafety.com not only meets all requirements but is also designed to be more practical and enjoyable than other available training options.
Is the Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps Training free?
Yes, the Health and Safety Awareness Training for Ontario workers is free! and is accepted across Ontario. It meets all the requirements of the Ministry 4 steps safety awareness training, but is more modern and fun.
You may also need the free WHMIS training if you work with or close to hazardous chemicals.
How Long is the 4 Step Certificate Valid For?
The Basic Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training program does not expire. Workers don’t need to retake the awareness training if they switch employers. However, they may be asked to provide proof of completion to their new employer. Refreshing training at least every three years is a great idea to ensure everyone knows their rights and duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
What Is a New Worker?
The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act does not have a specific definition for a New Worker. In Ontario, the most commonly used definition is: “A new worker is a person of any age who has been on the job less than six months or has been reassigned to a new job. New workers can include any new hire, either permanent or temporary, including supervisors with or without experience in the industry where they are working.”
In British Columbia, the definition of a new worker is as follows:”
“new worker” means any worker who is
(a) new to the workplace,
(b) returning to a workplace where the hazards in that workplace have changed during the worker’s absence,
(c) affected by a change in the hazards of a workplace, or
(d) relocated to a new workplace if the hazards in that workplace are different from the hazards in the worker’s previous workplace;
“young worker” means any worker who is under 25 years of age.
Why Must I Take the New Worker Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training?
The law requires that all workers complete this training to ensure everyone can go home safely. Starting a new job can be risky; statistics show that new workers are three times more likely to be injured in their first month than experienced workers. Workplace injuries are costly to workers and businesses.
The Worker Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training is designed to provide information on common workplace hazards, your rights and duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and where you can find more information to protect yourself.
What Should New Employees Know?
At a minimum, new employees should know the hazards of the work, how to perform their work safely, their rights under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the WHMIS regulations, and where to go for more information.
What Are the 4 Steps of Worker Health and Safety Awareness?
The 4 steps in the Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development are listed below.
- Get on board
- Get in the know – the right to know
- Get involved – the right to participate
- Get more help – the right to refuse unsafe work, and where to go for help
The original Ministry of Labour program has not been updated in many years. Try the AixSafety.com – Worker Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training, which was updated in 2026, covers all the legal requirements of the original program and is much more interactive and practical.
How Long Does the Ontario Worker Health and Safety Course Take?
The worker health and safety awareness training takes less than two hours. Participants can complete the free course at their own pace and take the quiz as often as they wish. Once completed, participants can print their certificate.
What Is Safety Awareness Training?
The safety awareness training from AixSafety.com provides information on common workplace hazards, your rights and duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and where you can find more information to protect yourself. It’s important to note that this is general awareness training, and you will still need specific workplace hazard training.