Ontario RAVS documents. Written to the OHSA.

Ontario RAVS — common questions

Why do Ontario contractors need ISNetworld RAVS?

Large Ontario operators in construction, oil and gas, utilities, and manufacturing use ISNetworld to pre-qualify contractors before awarding work. The RAVS (Review and Verification Service) section evaluates whether your safety program meets the operator's requirements. Ontario-specific RAVS reference the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (RSO 1990, c O.1), Ontario Regulation 851 (Industrial Establishments), and Ontario Regulation 213/91 (Construction Projects), which is what ISNetworld reviewers verify against for Ontario-based hiring clients.

What Ontario legislation do the RAVS reference?

Our Ontario RAVS documents reference the specific regulation that applies to each element. For industrial and manufacturing contractors, this is primarily OR 851 (Regulations for Industrial Establishments). For construction contractors, the primary reference is OR 213/91 (Construction Projects). The overarching Act for all workplaces is the OHSA (RSO 1990, c O.1). Elements such as WHMIS reference both the Ontario OHSA requirements and the federal WHMIS 2015 regulations. Each RAVS document includes the specific section reference so ISNetworld reviewers can verify compliance.

How are Ontario RAVS different from Canada Industry Practices RAVS?

Ontario RAVS are written specifically to the Ontario OHSA, OR 851, and OR 213/91, using provincial regulatory language and references. Canada Industry Practices RAVS reference national standards (CSA, federal Canada Labour Code) and are accepted by hiring clients when no province-specific version is required. If your work is primarily in Ontario, use Ontario RAVS — they reflect the specific legislation your workers operate under and pass ISNetworld review for Ontario-based hiring clients.

Which Ontario RAVS elements are most commonly required?

The most frequently required Ontario RAVS elements include: Fall Protection (OR 213/91 Section 26 for construction), Confined Space Entry (OR 851 Section 217-240), Lockout/Tagout (OR 851 Section 75-80), WHMIS, Personal Protective Equipment, Incident Reporting and Investigation, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention (MSD), and Workplace Violence and Harassment (OHSA Sections 32.0.1-32.0.21). The specific elements required depend on your hiring client's ISNetworld configuration and the type of work you perform.

How long does it take to complete a RAVS after purchasing?

Most companies complete a single RAVS element in 15 to 30 minutes. You open the Word document, replace the placeholder company name with your company's name, review any company-specific details (such as your Joint Health and Safety Committee information or supervisor names), then copy the content into the ISNetworld RAVS questionnaire. Having your health and safety representative details and emergency contact numbers ready before starting will speed up the process.

Do Ontario contractors need a Joint Health and Safety Committee?

Yes. Ontario workplaces with 20 or more regularly employed workers must have a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) under Section 9 of the OHSA. Workplaces with fewer than 20 workers may require a health and safety representative instead. Some Ontario RAVS elements reference your JHSC structure and meeting frequency. If you have a JHSC, have the committee's co-chair names and certification status available when completing your RAVS documents.