Understanding Manitoba's Health and Safety Requirements

The Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation require employers to inform, instruct and supervise employees to prevent injury and illness in the workplace.

Requirements that apply to workplaces of all sizes include:

Harassment & Violence prevention
All workplaces must have plans to prevent and address incidents of harassment and violence. Use CFIB’s templates to save time preparing your policies and procedures. Give a copy to every employee, post the policies in a prominent location and include them in your employee training. Access CFIB’s resources at Preventing harassment at your company and Preventing violence in your workplace.

First Aid Services
First Aid includes First Aid training, kits, and facilities.

Three levels of First Aid training (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced) are provided by approved training providers. Certificates are valid for three years. You must post the names of your trained first aiders.

There are three types of First Aid kits:

• Type 1: Personal first aid kits; for workers who work alone, in isolation, or who do not otherwise have readily available access to a workplace first aid kit;
• Type 2: Basic first aid kits; suitable for most workplaces with a low-moderate risk work environment; and
• Type 3: Intermediate first aid kits; suitable for workplaces with a higher risk work environment.

I have up to 4 employees:

• You must comply with the items described above. While the province does not require workplaces with less than 5 people to have general written policies and procedures, it is good business practice to implement them.
• If your company expands above the threshold of 5 people, you will then have to develop formal written policies and procedures, and to identify a WS&H Worker Representative.

I have between 5 to 19 employees:

• You must comply with the items described above.
• No matter the nature of the work, when 5 to 19 people are present a Worker Representative must be selected by your employees. This individual must attend training hosted by the province and will handle many of the same tasks as a WS&H Committee found in larger workplaces. Learn more at How to get your safety committee or representative in place.
• Your company’s written policies and procedures are to be developed with the help of your Worker Representative. The WS&H System will include:
  • Safety & health policy.
  • Working alone policy.
  • Violence prevention policy.
  • Harassment prevention policy.
  • Safety & health checklist.

Additional details are available in the Safety & Health Guide for Small Businesses that CFIB helped to create for smaller workplaces.

I have 20 or more employees:

• You must comply with the items described above.
• No matter the nature of the work, where 20 or more people are present a WS&H Committee must be in place.
  • The committee has 4 to 12 members, with at least half from non-management, and they attend training hosted by the province.
  • The committee meets at least 4 times a year and meeting minutes must be shared with employees and management. Learn more at How to get your safety committee or representative in place.
• Your company’s written policies and procedures are to be developed with the help of your WS&H Committee. The WS&H Program will include:
  • Company’s safety and health policy statement.
  • Identify and control hazards.
  • Dealing with Emergencies.
  • Responsibilities.
  • Scheduling of Inspections.
  • Control Chemical and Biological Hazards.
  • Safeguard Contracted Employers or Self-Employed People at Your Workplace.
  • Training Plan.
  • Investigating Incidents and Refusals to Work.
  • Worker Involvement.
  • Evaluating Your Program.

Additional details are available in the Safe Work Manitoba’s Developing a Workplace Safety and Health Program Guide.