Workplace Safety North

What Workplace Safety North does

Workplace Safety North (WSN) is an independent, Ontario-based not-for-profit health and safety organization that has operated continuously since 1915 (over 100 years). It is one of four designated sector-based Health and Safety Associations (HASAs) in Ontario and holds a provincial mandate from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to develop and deliver Ministry-approved mandatory workplace health and safety training and services for the mining and forest products sectors, plus services to general industry.

WSN's core product set comprises legally mandated certification programs including JHSC Certification (a two-part program for workplaces with 20+ employees), Mining Supervisor Common Core Training (Accelerated and Classic formats covering underground hard rock, soft rock, and surface mining), the Professional Chainsaw Operator (IPCO) program for logging, Working at Heights, Mental Health, and a catalog of awareness e-learning courses. The organization administers the Ontario Mine Rescue program (training academy, competitions, rescue stations, and emergency response resources) and publishes proprietary reference manuals (The Cutting Edge, Ground Support Manual, Auxiliary Mine Ventilation Manual, The Green Book). Underlying delivery infrastructure is a standard e-learning platform with course management, online registration, and Zoom-based virtual training.

WSN generates revenue from training course fees (range observed from $19.95 WHMIS e-learning to $2,525 Common Core multi-day programs), consulting and auditing services (on-site specialists, Safe Workplace Ontario certification, industrial hygiene), and reference-manual sales. Training is delivered via in-person (North Bay and Sudbury facilities plus partner locations across Ontario), virtual instructor-led (Zoom), and self-paced e-learning formats, with a Training Partners network extending approved courses into local communities.

Name

Workplace Safety North

Legal name

Workplace Safety North

Website

https://workplacesafetynorth.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Workplace Safety North is an Ontario-based not-for-profit health and safety association, founded in 1915, that delivers Ministry-approved mandatory training and consulting for the province's mining, forest products, and general industry workplaces, and administers the Ontario Mine Rescue program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workplace Safety Training and Consulting

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Occupational Safety, OSHA & Workplace Compliance Training (EDAOAMAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Occupational Safety & OSHA Compliance (EDABAEAA), Working at Heights, Fall Protection & Scaffolding (EDABAEAH)

Keywords

• Workplace safety training
• Mining safety services
• Forestry safety programs
• Joint health safety committee
• Occupational health consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Sudbury

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Training Programs: Revenue from health and safety training courses delivered in-person, virtual, and e-learning formats. Course fees range from free awareness courses to premium multi-day certification programs ($19.95 to $2,525)
2. Consulting Services: Fees for on-site consultations, health and safety audits, industrial hygiene testing, and specific problem-solving services provided by WSN specialists
3. Training Materials and Products: Sale of training materials, reference manuals (The Cutting Edge, Ground Support Manual, Auxiliary Mine Ventilation Manual), and The Green Book (OHSA Act and Regulations)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Workplace Safety North develops and delivers Ministry-approved mandatory workplace health and safety training, consulting, auditing, and reference products for Ontario's mining, forest products, and general industries. Training is delivered in-person, virtually via Zoom, and through self-paced e-learning, while specialist consulting covers health and safety audits, industrial hygiene testing, and on-site problem solving. WSN also administers the Ontario Mine Rescue program and publishes proprietary reference manuals used across the sectors.

Product overview

Workplace Safety North (WSN) is an independent not-for-profit health and safety organization providing province-wide workplace health and safety training, consulting, and products to Ontario's mining, forest products, and general industries. WSN operates as a platform of interconnected training programs and consulting services rather than a single unified software product. The core training portfolio includes JHSC Certification (a two-part mandatory program for joint health and safety committees), Mining Supervisor Common Core Training (accelerated and classic formats for underground and surface mining supervisors), and Professional Chainsaw Operator (IPCO) training for logging operations — each comprising multiple modules and delivery formats (in-person, virtual, and e-learning). WSN also administers the Ontario Mine Rescue program, provides consulting and auditing services, and publishes reference manuals including the Auxiliary Mine Ventilation Manual, Ground Support Manual, and The Cutting Edge chainsaw safety manual. The Mining Health and Safety Conference is an annual industry event. Services are delivered through specialist consultants located across Ontario, with training centers in North Bay and Sudbury.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ontario Mine Rescue: Program administered by Workplace Safety North providing mine rescue services, training, and competitions across Ontario

Products and services

• JHSC Certification Training Mandatory two-part certification program required in Ontario workplaces with 20 or more employees. Part 1 covers hazard recognition, assessment, and control; Part 2 is sector-specific and must be completed within 12 months.
• Mining Supervisor Common Core Training Ministry-approved mandatory skills training for first-line supervisors in Ontario mining operations, available in Accelerated and Classic formats covering underground hard rock, soft rock, and surface mining.
• Professional Chainsaw Operator (IPCO) Training Mandatory pre-employment classroom training for professional chainsaw operators in logging operations, covering sharpening and maintenance, safe handling, felling and limbing, and field practice modules.
• Working at Heights Training Ministry-approved mandatory safety training for workers in Ontario's construction sector and other sectors who use fall prevention or fall arrest equipment.
• Mental Health Training Training programs addressing psychological health and safety in the workplace, including Occupational Mental Health e-learning and Opening the Door to Mental Health Support e-learning.
• Ontario Mine Rescue Program Province-wide mine rescue program administered by Workplace Safety North, including rescue competitions, training courses, and resources for underground mining emergency response.
• Consulting Services On-site health and safety consulting provided by specialists located across Ontario, covering industries including mining, forestry, pulp and paper, and general sectors.
• Auditing Services Health and safety auditing including the Safe Workplace Ontario (SWO) voluntary certification program for forestry companies, pre-verification preparation, and machine safety audits.
• Health and Safety Excellence Program A WSIB-connected program providing a roadmap for workplace health and safety improvement, connecting businesses with approved providers and offering premium rebates.
• Industrial Hygiene Services Industrial hygiene testing including noise and dust sampling, radon sampling, and contamination control assessments.
• Auxiliary Mine Ventilation Manual Proprietary reference manual covering the principles, functions, and applications of mine ventilation systems and their role in maintaining safe and healthy underground working environments.
• Ground Support Manual Proprietary reference manual covering ground control issues and techniques in underground mines, including rock properties, structural features, ground support, and Ontario regulations.
• The Cutting Edge Chainsaw Safety Manual Proprietary chainsaw safety manual used as course material in the Professional Chainsaw Operator training program, covering safe and efficient chainsaw operation in professional logging environments.
• The Green Book (Ontario OHS Act and Regulations) Publication of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations available as a physical or digital reference for workplace compliance.
• Safe Workplace Ontario Certification Voluntary certification program for forestry companies to continuously monitor and improve their health and safety programs, in operation since 1997.
• Small Company Health and Safety Program Specialized support program providing health and safety resources and guidance for small businesses across Ontario.
• E-Learning Self-Paced Courses Self-paced online training courses accessible 24/7 through the WSN website with 365-day access windows, covering JHSC Certification, mechanical harvesting, chainsaw operation, lockout, manual material handling, WHMIS, ground control, water management, and occupational illness prevention.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helping make workplaces safer since 1915 with province-wide reach
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSN develops and delivers Ministry-approved mandatory training programs for mining and forestry sectors. Agreement requires circulating surveys to collect demographic information for training effectiveness assessment.
• Ontario Mine Rescue SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSN administers the Ontario Mine Rescue program including training academy, competitions, mine rescue stations, and resources for emergency response.
• Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Prevention network member; collaborated on January 2023 webinar about signing authority responsibilities for mandatory skills training
• Institute for Work and Health (IWH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in Prevention network member; WSN shares participant names/contact info with IWH for Occupational Illness and Disease Prevention Research purposes
• WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in Prevention network member; WSN promotes WSIB Health and Safety Excellence program for premium rebates

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB): Ontario's workers' compensation body that finances WSN's sector-based association system and runs its own Health and Safety Excellence program with premium rebates. Operates adjacent to WSN in Ontario workplace safety but at broader mandate scope including insurance, claims, and return-to-work.
• National Safety Council (NSC): Long-established US national safety organization delivering occupational training, certification, and advocacy. Has a parallel structural role to WSN in another country — serving as the umbrella body for workplace safety training, content, and standards — making it a useful international functional benchmark.

Direct peers

• Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS): The fourth Ontario sector-based safety association, serving manufacturing, service, retail, and agricultural sectors. Operates the same Ministry-mandated model for training, consulting, and JHSC certification as WSN, making the two directly comparable structural peers within the Ontario system.
• Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA): One of the four Ontario sector-based safety associations operating under the same Ministry mandate as WSN. Focuses on healthcare, education, municipalities, and public-sector workplaces. Operates an identical model of Ministry-approved training, consulting, and member services, making it a directly comparable peer.
• Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC): Ontario's designated health and safety training centre for workers, delivering occupational training including WHMIS and JHSC. Active Partner in Prevention member alongside WSN, providing complementary worker-focused training in the same Ontario regulatory system.
• Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA): One of the four Ontario Ministry-designated sector-based health and safety associations alongside WSN. Serves construction, transportation, electrical, and utilities sectors with mandatory training, consulting, and certification — same operating model, just different industries. Listed as a Partners in Prevention collaborator.
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS): Canada's national occupational health and safety body, co-developing WSN's WHMIS e-learning course and serving as a reference source for Canadian EHS standards. Operates a similar training, resource, and advisory model at a national scope rather than provincial.

Others

• Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP): National certification body for Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (CRSP), to which WSN Executive Director Cindy Schiewek was recently appointed. Operates adjacent to WSN by credentialing the safety professionals WSN's programs support, rather than competing directly.

Regional players

• BC Forest Safety Council: BC's forest products safety association with overlapping mandate to WSN's forest products work, including IPCO-equivalent chainsaw operator certification. Direct sector-aligned analogue in another province, illustrating how the Ontario model extends to other jurisdictions.
• Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC: British Columbia's health and safety association serving manufacturing and related sectors. Operates the same provincial-association model WSN uses in Ontario, providing a close structural and functional analogue in a different Canadian province.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/WSNpromos
• Facebookfacebook.com/workplacesafetynorth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/workplace-safety-north
• Instagraminstagram.com/workplacesafetynorth
• Xx.com/WSN_News

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Workplace Safety North