On this page
- Why Non-Compliance Happens (Even in “Good” Companies)
- The Cost of Non-Compliance
- What OH&S Orders Actually Mean
- How to Respond When You Get an OH&S Order
- How to Do Better — Before an Order Lands
- Where Calgary Safety Consultants Fits In
- A Real-World Example
- Why Doing Better is Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently asked questions
Why Non-Compliance Happens (Even in “Good” Companies)
It’s easy to think non-compliance only happens in businesses that “don’t care” about safety. That’s not true.
In our experience, many violations come from businesses that do care, but:
- Don’t fully understand their legal obligations under the OH&S Act, Regulation, and Code.
- Don’t have the time or in-house expertise to keep up with safety documentation and follow-through.
- Have great intentions but no structured process to make safety consistent across the organization.
- React to issues instead of building proactive systems that prevent orders in the first place.
Some businesses think they’re compliant because they have a safety policy posted on the wall or a binder labelled “OH&S Manual” on the shelf. Unfortunately, OH&S officers aren’t looking for symbolic gestures — they want evidence that your safety program is active, effective, and followed by everyone.
The Cost of Non-Compliance
Let’s be blunt: ignoring or half-fixing OH&S issues is expensive.
- Financial penalties in Alberta can range from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the nature and severity of the violation.
- Stop-work orders can halt operations, hitting revenue instantly.
- Reputational damage can make it harder to attract clients, employees, or investors.
- Injury or fatality risks — beyond the human impact — lead to Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) claims, civil lawsuits, or criminal charges under Bill C-45.
And there’s one more hidden cost: the stress and disruption that ripple through your entire team when an inspector’s order lands on your desk.
What OH&S Orders Actually Mean
An OH&S officer doesn’t issue an order because they “caught you” in a game of gotcha. Orders are legal instructions that your business must correct a specific hazard, process gap, or compliance failure by a deadline.
Common examples we see include:
- Missing or outdated hazard assessments
- Lack of a functioning health and safety committee or representative
- Incomplete or missing incident investigation reports
- Workers not trained in WHMIS or site-specific safety procedures
- Poor record-keeping (e.g., fit-testing logs, equipment inspection records)
- Failure to control hazardous energy (lockout/tagout issues)
- Missing emergency response plans or drills
The good news? An OH&S order is not a death sentence for your business — it’s a call to action. If you respond quickly and completely, you can turn it into an opportunity to strengthen your safety systems.
How to Respond When You Get an OH&S Order
If you’re holding that official paper in your hand, here’s the practical sequence we walk our clients through:
1. Don’t Ignore It
Orders have deadlines. Miss them and you’re in worse trouble — including possible prosecution under the OH&S Act (https://www.alberta.ca/ohs-compliance-enforcement).
2. Understand Exactly What’s Being Asked
Read the order carefully. Identify:
- The hazard or gap cited
- The legislative reference
- The compliance deadline
- Any specific corrective action required
3. Assess the Root Cause
It’s not enough to “check the box.” If the order says you’re missing a hazard assessment, the real question is why. Was it never done? Was it done but not documented? Was it done but not updated? Fixing the cause prevents repeat orders.
4. Get Expert Help (Fast)
This is where companies call Calgary Safety Consultants. We help:
- Interpret the legal language in plain English
- Create a step-by-step compliance action plan
- Write or update required documentation
- Train your team so you stay compliant after the order is closed
5. Document Everything
When the officer comes back, you need proof — updated hazard assessments, training records, meeting minutes, inspection logs, etc. If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen.
6. Follow Up
Compliance isn’t “one and done.” Build these fixes into your ongoing safety program.
How to Do Better — Before an Order Lands
Here’s the real win: get proactive so you don’t get that urgent knock on the door.
1. Know Your Legal Requirements
Every province has its own OH&S legislation. In Alberta, the OH&S Act, Regulation, and Code outline what you must do — from hazard assessments to emergency preparedness. You can review them here:
https://www.alberta.ca/ohs-act-regulation-code.aspx
But let’s be honest — the legislation is long and dense. This is why many businesses bring us in to translate it into a clear, company-specific compliance plan.
2. Audit Your Safety Program Regularly
Self-audits (or third-party audits) help you find small issues before they become official orders. An annual OH&S program audit, using tools like the Alberta Construction Safety Association COR Audit Tool (https://www.youracsa.ca), keeps you in control.
3. Keep Safety Documentation Live
A dusty binder doesn’t keep you compliant. Make sure:
- Hazard assessments are current and specific
- Training is up to date for all workers, including supervisors
- Inspections are done on schedule and recorded
- Incident investigations follow OH&S requirements
4. Engage Your People
The best safety programs aren’t top-down lectures — they’re team efforts. Build safety into toolbox talks, pre-job meetings, and day-to-day decision-making.
5. Plan for Change
New equipment, new job tasks, or new hazards mean updating your safety program. Many orders happen because businesses didn’t re-assess hazards after changes in operations.
Where Calgary Safety Consultants Fits In
We’ve helped a lot of businesses respond to OH&S orders and, even better, avoid them entirely.
Here’s what we bring to the table:
- Rapid Response to Orders
We can assess your situation within days (sometimes hours) of your call. That’s critical when deadlines are tight. - Plain-Language Compliance Plans
We translate legal and technical requirements into step-by-step actions your team can follow. - Documentation Development
Hazard assessments, safety policies, inspection forms, incident investigation templates — we build them for you and with you. - Training Delivery
Online or onsite, we ensure your people understand and follow safety requirements. This includes WHMIS, PPE, hazard control, incident reporting, and more. - Long-Term Compliance Support
We don’t just fix the immediate issue — we help you set up a program that stays compliant, audit-ready, and practical.
If your business has already received an OH&S order, or if you want to avoid that stress entirely, learn more about our OH&S regulatory support.
Workplace example
A Real-World Example
A Calgary manufacturing company called us in a panic. An OH&S officer had issued three separate orders:
- No current hazard assessments for their welding area
- Missing records for respiratory fit testing
- Failure to hold required safety meetings
They had 10 business days to comply.
We stepped in, completed hazard assessments, conducted fit testing, set up a safety meeting schedule, and prepared all the documentation in just over a week. The follow-up inspection went smoothly — all orders were closed.
The client didn’t just pass the inspection; they adopted our recommendations as part of their regular safety process. They haven’t had another order since.
Why Doing Better is Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think
Fixing OH&S issues isn’t just about avoiding fines — it’s about protecting people and building a stronger business. Once the right systems are in place, staying compliant is easier than constantly scrambling to patch gaps.
And here’s the kicker — many fixes are low-cost compared to the penalties for ignoring them. Things like updating a hazard assessment, training staff, or setting up a committee often cost less than the price of a single day of downtime from a stop-work order.
Final Thoughts
Non-compliance with OH&S regulations doesn’t make you a bad employer. But ignoring it — or waiting until the government steps in — can turn a manageable issue into a costly crisis.
The best approach?
- Know your obligations
- Audit regularly
- Keep documentation current
- Train your people
- Get help when you need it
At Calgary Safety Consultants, we specialize in helping businesses across Canada meet and maintain OH&S compliance — whether you’ve already got an order in hand or just want to make sure one never arrives. If you’re ready to take the stress out of safety, reach out today:
Connect with us here and let us help you improve your OH&S practices.
Jurisdiction note: This article provides general occupational health and safety information. The legal requirements that apply depend on the workplace location, industry and federal, provincial or territorial jurisdiction. Verify current requirements with the applicable regulator before using the information operationally. Government of Canada overview of occupational health and safety jurisdiction.
References
- Government of Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety Compliance and Enforcement.
https://www.alberta.ca/ohs-compliance-enforcement - Government of Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation, and Code.
https://www.alberta.ca/ohs-act-regulation-code.aspx - Alberta Construction Safety Association. COR Audit Tool.
https://www.youracsa.ca - Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Due Diligence in Occupational Health and Safety.
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/legisl/diligence.html
Because a safer workplace starts with smarter policy. Let’s build it together.
Related services: OH&S regulatory support, OHS compliance audit and safety program gap assessment and Safety program maintenance and compliance support.
About the author
John Duplessis, B.Sc., CRSP
John Duplessis is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional with more than 30 years of occupational health and safety experience in oil and gas, construction, green energy, midstream operations, and industrial project work.
