Why Your OHS Policy Must Be Reviewed and Updated Every 5 Years

What Is an OHS Policy?

An Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policy outlines your organization’s commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. It provides the foundation for your safety program and guides everything from worker responsibilities to hazard reporting and emergency procedures.

In Canada, having a written OHS policy is a legal requirement for most employers, and it must be more than a document, it must reflect current work conditions, regulations, and best practices.

Why It Needs to Be Reviewed Every 5 Years

According to OHS regulations in most Canadian provinces, an OHS policy must be reviewed at least every five years. This ensures the policy remains relevant and compliant with evolving:

• Legislation and standards
• Worksite conditions and hazards
• Company structure or operations
• Roles and responsibilities

Failing to review and update your policy can lead to gaps in compliance, and in the event of an incident, it could expose your company to legal and financial risk.

Signs Your Policy May Need an Update Now

Even if it hasn’t been five years, certain triggers should prompt an earlier review:

• Your company has expanded, relocated, or taken on new types of work
• There’s been a significant workplace incident or near miss
• You’ve had changes in legislation or regulatory expectations
• Employee feedback indicates gaps in current procedures

How Irwin’s Safety Can Help

At Irwin’s, we help companies across Canada review, update, and implement OHS policies that are tailored to their industry and worksites. Our services include:

• Full OHS program audits
• Policy writing and updates
• Gap analysis and risk assessments
• Internal training and rollout support

We’ll work with your leadership and safety team to make sure your policy is not only compliant, but also practical and aligned with real-world conditions.

Is Your OHS Policy Due for a Review?

If it’s been five years or more, or you’re unsure whether your current policy meets today’s standards, now is the time to act.

Contact Irwin’s Safety for an OHS policy review or to schedule a full health and safety audit.