The Difference Between Inform Instruct and Train Under the OHSA: An Essential Guide
Navigating Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements can be overwhelming, but understanding the legal duty to inform instruct and train is crucial. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) makes it clear that these three terms are not interchangeable — each one represents a unique and legally binding responsibility for employers.
This guide explains the differences between inform instruct and train, why they matter, and how to effectively apply them in your workplace.
Inform: Building Awareness and Knowledge
The first responsibility is to inform employees. To inform instruct and train properly, the process starts by ensuring every worker is aware of potential dangers, hazards, and risks (DHR).
Informing provides employees with a baseline understanding of safety policies, emergency procedures, evacuation plans, first-aid stations, fire extinguishers, and who the Health and Safety Representative is. Without this initial stage of informing, no further instruction or training can succeed.
How it’s done: Employers may inform staff using safety talks, e-learning, posters, videos, safety boards, or internal communication platforms. The law requires employers to inform instruct and train in a way that is understandable to all employees, regardless of role or experience.
Instruct: Practical and Task-Specific Guidance
To move beyond awareness, employers must instruct. This is the second step in the duty to inform instruct and train. Instructing means providing clear, step-by-step guidance on how to perform tasks safely.
For example:
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Informing might be telling a worker that a chemical is hazardous.
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Instructing is showing them exactly how to handle, store, and dispose of it safely.
Supervisors often lead this process, ensuring employees understand the specific procedures required for their role.
How it’s done: Instructing usually involves written procedures, operations manuals, safety data sheets, machinery signage, and supervisor demonstrations. The duty to inform instruct and train requires that these instructions be both detailed and practical.
Train: Developing Competency and Confidence
The final and most comprehensive step is to train employees. Training builds competency so that workers can apply OHS principles independently. This is the most advanced part of the requirement to inform instruct and train.
Training is essential for high-risk activities such as:
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Operating forklifts
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Using specialized power tools
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Working at heights
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Handling hazardous materials
Unlike instruction, training is often formalized, including classroom theory, practical demonstrations, and assessments. At the end of training, employees may receive a certificate of competency, showing they are legally qualified to perform a task safely.
How it’s done: Employers meet their legal duty to inform instruct and train through certified training programs, refresher courses, practical assessments, and ongoing professional development.
Why the Distinction Matters Under OHSA
The OHSA requires employers to inform instruct and train because each term represents a different level of responsibility. Missing even one step creates safety gaps that may result in accidents, injuries, or fatalities.
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Inform → provides awareness.
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Instruct → gives task-specific direction.
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Train → develops lasting competency.
Together, they form the complete cycle of workplace safety. The duty to inform instruct and train is not optional — it is the foundation of compliance and proactive safety culture.
Example in Practice
Imagine a new employee starts in a workshop:
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Informing → general induction on workshop hazards (sharp tools, noise, moving parts).
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Instructing → supervisor shows them step-by-step how to safely operate a drill press.
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Training → a certified course on rigging and lifting heavy loads, including theory, practice, and testing.
This scenario demonstrates how employers fulfill their obligation to inform instruct and train progressively.
Continuous Responsibility to Inform, Instruct and Train
Workplace safety is not a one-time event. Employers must continuously inform instruct and train employees as new technologies, regulations, and workplace risks emerge.
By fully implementing the cycle of inform instruct and train, organizations:
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Reduce accidents and incidents.
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Improve compliance with OHSA.
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Build a culture of trust and accountability.
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Save costs related to injuries, downtime, and penalties.
Conclusion
The legal duty to inform instruct and train employees is the cornerstone of workplace safety under OHSA. Informing creates awareness, instructing ensures safe task execution, and training builds lasting competency.
Employers who consistently inform instruct and train not only meet legal requirements but also create safer, more resilient workplaces. This layered approach prevents incidents, protects employees, and builds a proactive safety culture that benefits everyone.
ADDITIONAL: [for further research]
Asbestos Abatement Regs 7
Construction Regs 5
Draft Physical Agents Regulation 3
Ergonomics Regs 3
General Administrative Regs 5
General Machinery Regs 9
General Safety Regs 8
Hazardous Biological Agents Regs 4
Hazardous Chemical agents Regs 3
etc.
Article composed by Ken Annandale
