Question 1

What is contractor safety verification?

Accepted Answer

Contractor safety verification is an independent review process that confirms a contractor has a valid safety management system, up-to-date training records, adequate insurance, and is following safe work practices on site. It provides defensible evidence that a hiring organization exercised due diligence under Ontario's OHSA.

Question 2

Why do Toronto and GTA businesses need contractor safety verification?

Accepted Answer

Under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), businesses that hire contractors have a legal duty to ensure those contractors work safely. Simply collecting certificates and documents is not enough — you need to verify those documents are valid, current, and actually reflect the contractor's real-world safety practices. Failure to do so can result in fines, liability, and potential imprisonment after a workplace incident.

Question 3

What does a contractor safety audit include?

Accepted Answer

A Safe.Contractors on-site audit includes a physical site visit in the GTA, field safety observations, a review of the contractor's actual practices against your company standards, and a written findings report. Document reviews also include verification of safety programs, employee training records, insurance certificates, WSIB clearance, and a written gap summary.

Question 4

How is Safe.Contractors different from contractor compliance software?

Accepted Answer

Contractor compliance software stores documents — it does not verify them. Safe.Contractors is a professional service staffed by experienced safety professionals who review the contract, validate the safety management system, audit training records for completeness and currency, and physically show up on site to observe actual practices. This provides genuinely defensible evidence that software cannot.

Question 5

What areas does Safe.Contractors serve?

Accepted Answer

Safe.Contractors primarily serves Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, including Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, Durham Region (Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa), York Region, Peel Region, and Halton Region. Travel fees may apply outside the core service area.

Question 6

How much does contractor safety verification cost in Toronto?

Accepted Answer

Safe.Contractors offers contractor document and training record reviews from $499 CAD, on-site contractor safety audits from $450 CAD (summer special, regular $599), and a Contractor Due Diligence Bundle combining both services for $899 CAD. Ongoing monthly contractor oversight programs start from $1,500/month. Pricing may vary based on project size, contractor volume, and urgency.

Question 7

What industries does Safe.Contractors work with?

Accepted Answer

Safe.Contractors works with property managers, construction general contractors, facility managers, industrial plant operators, municipalities, and any GTA business that hires contractors and needs defensible evidence of contractor safety compliance.

Question 8

Is contractor safety verification required by law in Ontario?

Accepted Answer

Ontario's OHSA requires that constructors and employers take reasonable precautions to protect workers, including those employed by contractors. While the Act does not mandate a specific verification service, courts and the Ministry of Labour expect hiring organizations to demonstrate they took active steps to verify contractor safety competence — not just collect paperwork. Independent third-party verification is the most defensible approach.

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