Here is the ergonomics legislation from
Canada
The information here was collated from official online sources by Ergo Global ergonomists. All information is for general purposes and cannot be considered 1-to-1 legal advice. Ergo Global disclaim any liability relating to the information provided on this page.
To Note
Canada does not have a single “ergonomics act,” but ergonomics regulation is integrated into its Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. Companies operating in Ontario or Quebec are subject to further legislation described on this page.
Page last updated: 05/02/2026
The Duties of
The Employer
🍁 for Canada overall
- Implementation plan - To develop, monitor and review the implementation plan. The employer shall ensure that ergonomics-related hazards are identified and assessed and that they are eliminated or reduced, if feasible. Any person assigned to identify and assess ergonomics-related hazards has the necessary instructions and training.
- Methodology - To develop a hazard identification and assessment methodology, including an identification and assessment methodology for ergonomics-related hazards.
- Hazard identification and assessment - To identify and assess the hazards in the workplace, including ergonomics-related hazards.
- Preventive measures - To take preventive measures to address the assessed hazards. Preventive maintenance program shall be developed and implemented by the employer and ensure that preventive measures shall not in itself create a hazard. The employer shall ensure any person assigned to implement ergonomics-related prevention measures has the necessary instruction and training.
- Employee training - To provide each employee with health and safety training, including training relating to ergonomics. Employer shall keep training records.
- Program evaluation - The employer shall evaluate the effectiveness of the hazard prevention program, including its ergonomics-related components, and, if necessary, revise it.
- Report - The employer shall keep program evaluation report for six years after the date of the report.
The Duties of
The Employer
for Ontario
- Equipment upkeep - Under clause 25(1)(b), employers must make sure the equipment, materials and protective devices they provide are maintained in good condition
- Information and instruction - Under clause 25(2)(a), employers must provide workers with information, instruction and supervision to protect their health and safety.
- Hazard communication - Under clause 25(2)(d), employers must make sure that workers or a person in authority over a worker (for example, supervisor or manager) are acquainted with the hazards in their work. This includes MSD hazards when working with computers or mobile technology.
- Reasonable precautions - Under clause 25(2)(h), employers must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker, including from MSD hazards while working with computers or mobile technology.
Since Canada has a requirement to implement a Hazard prevention program (HPP), many of the employer duties above need to have a tie in with ergonomic matters as the HPP recognises all workplace hazards including ergonomic ones.
The Duties of
The Employer
for Quebec
- Instruction - To instruct workers assigned to handle loads or persons how to do their work safely.
- Mechanical devices - To put mechanical devices at workers’ disposal when the manual moving of loads or persons compromises the worker’s safety.
- Equipment adaptation - To adapt the height of workbenches and the position of chairs to the work and the worker so as to ensure workers a correct posture and reduce their fatigue.
- Equipment provision - To locate tools, handles and materials in positions that facilitate work and reduce strain.
- Equipment availability - To put chairs or benches put at workers’ disposal when the nature of their work permits.
- Breaks - To give workers a break of at least 30 minutes to eat a meal when the duration of the work exceeds 5 hours, with the break to begin in a 2-hour period situated in the middle of the worker’s work period, unless the sides agree otherwise.
The information on this page comes from...
Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
Process for Implementing Ergonomics Regulatory Requirements
Module 5 - Guide to Address Ergonomic Hazards with a Computer Workstation
Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1 (Ontario)
Regulation Respecting Occupational Health and Safety (Quebec)
What's next?
Step 1
Run an ergonomics audit following these regulations.
Step 2
List out the gaps in your ergonomics policy.
Step 4
Contact Ergo Global for more support where needed.
