Managing Harms: Programs and Initiatives
We analyze data from the Ontario Electrical Safety Report (OESR) to anticipate, identify and target the leading causes of electrical related harms in Ontario.
Learn about Electrical Safety Authority (ESA’s) methods for managing both occupational and non-occupational electrical harms below:
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Compliance
ESA regulates and promotes electrical safety in Ontario. ESA works with the public, licence holders, utilities, manufacturers, safety partners and other stakeholders to motivate compliance and ensure that electrical work in Ontario meets all applicable laws. Most importantly, we help ensure,
- All electrical work meets the Ontario Electrical Safety Code,
- Ontarians hire a Licensed Electrical Contracting Business for their electrical work,
- Get Your Licence: ECRA/ESA Electrical Contractor License or Master Electrician (ME) Licence
- Electrical work is reported to ESA by filing a notification of work, and
- Electrical work is inspected by ESA.
Programs and Initiatives
The Ontario government has given ESA a mandate to improve public electrical safety. We use awareness campaigns and education to make Ontarians aware of potential electrical harms. Learn more about the safety programs and initiatives below.
Worker Safety, Utilitiy Safety, Home and Recreational, Product safety, Aging infrastructure and our Proactive Initiatives.
Worker Safety
ESA’s efforts on worker safety are both reactive as well as proactive.
Reactive
- Attend and review electrical workplace incidents when they are reported to ESA, work with safety partners when necessary.
Proactive
- Use the Harm Life Cycle approach to monitor, identify and assess electrical harms and risks in Ontario.
- Conduct risk-based inspections that follow the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
- Continue ESA’s “Don’t Work on Energized Equipment” campaigns and target powerline safety campaigns to specific construction sectors (haulage, arborists).
- Promote safety messages to our contractor community, LDCs and partners using traditional and digital/social media, including our website, and social channels like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
- Integrate electrical safety education into ESA’s available training courses, such as the Pre-Master’s course and other safety and technical training courses.
- Work with our safety partners, including advisory councils, to communicate safety trends and identify emerging areas of focus.
- Review and participate in redeveloping codes and standards and provide electrical safety awareness those in trade colleges and apprenticeships.
Utility Safety
ESA’s efforts on utility safety are both reactive as well as proactive.
Reactive
- Monitor reportable serious electrical incidents related to utility equipment from LDCs and the public
- Investigate serious electrical incidents
- Provide education to industry sectors that have been associated with higher numbers of powerline contact (haulage industry, arborists, transportation)
Proactive
- Use the Harm Life Cycle approach to monitor, identify and assess electrical harms and risks in Ontario.
- Review and participate in redeveloping regulations and standards.
- Provide electrical safety awareness those in trade colleges that offer heavy equipment operator training.
- Promote safety messages to our contractor community, LDCs and partners using traditional and digital/social media, including our website, and social channels like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
- Work with our safety partners, including advisory councils, to communicate safety trends and identify emerging areas of focus
Home and Recreational Safety
The following resources are available so you can help ensure the safety of you and your family both at home and at play.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Systems
- EV Handbooks for condos
- Electrical Safety for children
- Homeowner Electrical Safety Handbooks
Product Safety
ESA shares a role with Health Canada in managing the safety of consumer electrical products sold and used in Ontario. For product safety issues, we usually get involved when we hear of an incident or unsafe product.
- ESA provides information on product recalls and safety alerts; and
- Raises awareness of the importance of buying certified (approved) electrical products.
Watch this video to learn more about electrical products and Recognized Approval Marks:
ESA also provides home electrical product safety tips and information:
- Extension cords and plugs
- Lights
- Outlets
- Consumer level products, such as portable generators
- Homemade (DIY) electrical products including Lichtenberg devices
Aging Infrastructure
Electrical systems in older homes and buildings (1975 and earlier) are often a risk, as they do not have the same safety benefits of modern ones.
Check out ESA’s Home Renovation, Buying & Selling section for information on owning older homes, including buying and selling a “fixer upper” or renovated home, and older wiring types like knob and tube or aluminum.
ESA also has resources for tenants or property owners when it comes to the safety of aging multi-unit residential buildings.
Proactive Initiatives
ESA applies a proactive approach to reduce harm and improve safety by identifying and getting in front of harms before they adversely affect Ontarians.
ESA uses education and awareness efforts directed towards:
- Marinas and electric installations
- First responders and powerline safety
- Weather events and powerline safety
- Electrical vehicles and supporting infrastructure
- “Frankenstein” products
Training and Education
ESA offers electrical safety and technical training based on the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. Our in-depth knowledge of electrical harms helps develop effective training for safe work behaviour, which helps you reduce risks. The courses offer practical help with instructors who clarify electrical safety principles and safe work practices. We understand your installation challenges, and we draw on our daily field experiences to present solutions through our courses.
Learn more about ESA’s safety and technical training courses.
Learn about recent trends. Visit "Understanding Harms: Data and Trends."