When a workplace feels unsafe, file a complaint with Workplace Health and Safety in Ontario.

Let me ask you a quick, practical question: if a worker believes their work environment is unsafe after getting a report, who should they reach out to first? The right answer is Workplace Health and Safety. In Ontario, that agency is the one charged with watching over health and safety in workplaces, investigating complaints, and making sure hazards get addressed. It isn’t the police, it isn’t the workers’ compensation board, and it certainly isn’t something called a dangerous workplace board. Here’s the real story behind the process, why it matters, and how to navigate it when you spot something off.

What “unsafe” means in real life

You’ve probably heard about hazards in the abstract—slippery floors, unracked heavy equipment, toxic fumes, noisy environments, or ergonomics that hurt your wrists after long shifts. But unsafe isn’t just a checklist item. It’s when a condition could reasonably cause injury or illness to someone at work. If you’ve been told to do a job you believe is unsafe, or if you’ve seen equipment that could malfunction, the clock is ticking. You owe it to yourself and your teammates to speak up.

The right place to report

The straightforward answer—Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)—exists to protect workers by enforcing health and safety standards. When a hazard is reported, WHS has the authority to investigate, verify facts, and require the employer to fix the problem. It’s the channel designed specifically for matters that touch your health and safety on the job.

Why not the other options?

• The local police agency handles criminal activity. If a hazard involves serious criminal conduct (think attempted sabotage, violent threats, or illegal activity on site), that’s a different call. But routine safety concerns about hazards aren’t police business.

• The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) deals with injuries and compensation after an incident occurs. It’s essential, but it isn’t the go-to for addressing unsafe conditions in the moment or for preventing injuries.

• The Dangerous Workplace Board isn’t a recognized agency in Ontario’s safety framework. That’s a common misconception. The safety system relies on WHS and related bodies, not a separate “dangerous workplace” board.

What to expect when you file a complaint

You’re not just shouting into the void. Filing a complaint with WHS initiates a process designed to protect you and your coworkers, while keeping your job safe and lawful. Here’s a practical sense of what that looks like:

• The intake: You’ll share who is affected, where the hazard is, what you’ve observed, and any immediate steps you’ve taken to stay safe. You can provide documents, photos, or notes from conversations.

• Investigation: A WHS inspector will assess the site, interview workers and supervisors, and review records. They’re looking for concrete hazards and whether controls meet the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations.

• Findings and orders: If hazards are confirmed, the employer may receive orders to fix things—ranging from temporary adjustments to long-term engineering controls. Often, these orders come with timelines.

• Protection for reporters: There are protections in place to prevent retaliation. If you feel you’re being singled out or treated unfairly after raising a safety concern, that protection is part of the framework.

• Follow-up: Inspectors may return to verify that corrections were made and that the workplace is now safer.

What you can do to make the process smoother

• Be precise but concise: describe the exact location, the equipment involved, and the risk you see. If you can, note dates, times, and any witnesses.

• Gather context before you report: photos or short notes that show the hazard can help, but avoid compromising safety to take them.

• Think practical fixes: not just what’s wrong, but what would make it safer. Would a guard, a mat, a different procedure, or tighter maintenance help? Share those ideas.

• Use the right channels: WHS accepts online submissions and phone reports, but your workplace may also have internal safety channels. If there’s a joint health and safety committee, bringing concerns there can be a good first step.

• Protect yourself without hesitation: if you’re in immediate danger, remove yourself from the risk, call for help, and then report. Your priority is staying safe.

Common sense steps you can take right now

Even before you file, a few proactive moves can reduce risk and keep things running smoother:

• Run a quick risk check at the end of a shift. What slipped through the cracks today? Where could someone get hurt tomorrow?

• Document near-misses, not just injuries. They’re early warning signals that something isn’t right.

• Talk with supervisors in a calm, factual way. A quick, non-confrontational chat can prevent a hazard from becoming a bigger problem.

• If you’re part of a joint health and safety committee, bring the issue there. It’s a forum designed to balance worker input with practical operations.

A few myths, busted

• Myth: Filing a complaint means you’ll get blamed for disrupting the workflow. Reality: The focus is on safety, not punishment. The goal is to fix hazards so everyone can work without unnecessary risk.

• Myth: If nothing happens, I should just deal with it myself. Reality: Waiting can worsen the hazard and put you at greater risk. Reporting is the responsible move.

• Myth: Workplace safety is only for “dangerous” jobs. Reality: Hazards exist in almost every role—admin offices can have ergonomic risks; manufacturing floors can have machine hazards; labs can have chemical risks.

Why this matters beyond one report

Safety isn’t a one-off checkbox. When you speak up about an unsafe condition, you’re contributing to a culture where wellbeing is a shared responsibility. This isn’t just about avoiding injuries—it’s about trust, efficiency, and long-term health for you and your colleagues. A safe workplace tends to be a workplace where people feel heard, where issues are addressed promptly, and where innovation isn’t hampered by avoidable risk.

Real-world perspectives that connect with the topic

Think about risk the way you think about maintenance on a car. If you ignore a rattle or a brake warning, the problem doesn’t disappear—it typically gets worse, and the stakes grow. The same logic applies at work. A small warning sign today can prevent a major incident tomorrow. That’s why the WHS framework is built to catch those signs early and set clear steps to fix them.

The bottom line, in plain terms

If you believe your work environment is unsafe, your first move is to file with Workplace Health and Safety. They’re the people whose job it is to listen, investigate, and enforce safety measures. The process is designed to protect you and your coworkers while helping employers create safer, more reliable workplaces. It’s not about red tape or blame; it’s about getting a hazard out of the way so you can focus on doing your job without worrying about avoidable risks.

A short, practical wrap-up

• Hazard awareness is part of every job. If you spot something unsafe, speak up.

• The right channel in Ontario is WHS, the body entrusted with safety investigations and corrective actions.

• Expect a careful process: intake, investigation, possible orders, follow-up.

• Use precise information, keep records, and consider practical fixes you’d like to see.

• Don’t fear retaliation—protections exist to guard you when you raise safety concerns.

• Safety is a shared mission. When it works, you notice it in the calmer mornings, smoother shifts, and the confidence of stepping onto the floor knowing your workplace has your back.

If you’ve ever swapped a tool for one that fits better, you know the value of a safety check. The same idea applies to the big picture of workplace health and safety. It’s not a one-and-done task; it’s a continuous, collective effort to keep every worker protected. So next time a hazard pops up in your line of sight, remember the right move: report to Workplace Health and Safety, and keep the conversation going—quietly, clearly, and with the shared aim of a safer, healthier workplace for everyone.