Safety Bulletin Boards: What to Post, What to Avoid, and How to Pass an Audit

Every Canadian worksite is legally required to display specific safety information in a central, visible location. But what actually goes on your bulletin board? Too often, we see cluttered corkboards packed with outdated posters, unreadable printouts, or irrelevant handouts—and missing the documents that auditors look for.

A compliant board isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a daily signal that safety matters. Boards should reflect active communication, clear responsibilities, and current regulatory content. If your inspection checklist from 2022 is still posted, that’s a red flag.

A good board setup includes core safety rights, relevant emergency procedures, and current contact details. For example, in Alberta, the OHS Act requires posting the “Right to Refuse Dangerous Work” process and Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) information.

For Example, In Ontario, workplaces must display the Health & Safety at Work: Prevention Starts Here poster issued by the Ministry of Labour.

Implementation Blueprint

Minimum documents to post:

• Emergency contact numbers

• Company Health & Safety Policy

• Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) or Representative info

• “Right to Refuse” procedure

• Most recent safety meeting minutes

• Relevant OHS posters (provincial/federal)

• Site-specific evacuation plan

• WHMIS 2015 information sheet

Audit-Ready Posting Tips:

• Date-stamp every document

• Use laminated sleeves or clear clips

• Remove outdated content monthly

• Label each section clearly (e.g., "Emergency", "Worker Rights")

Role-Based Execution

• Workers: Must know where the board is, how to report issues, and who their safety rep is.

• Supervisors: Must check that postings are current and visible. Post new safety meeting minutes within 48 hours.

• HSE/Management: Must ensure compliance with provincial posting laws and assign responsibility for monthly board checks.

Common gaps:

• Expired policies

• Missing committee names

• Blank or outdated incident tracking forms

• No WHMIS update

Recent Provincial Updates (as of October 2025)

• Alberta: As of March 2025, employers must now include psychological hazards in posted hazard assessments. View OHS Update

• BC: No material change noted in the last 12 months. Review annually. WorkSafeBC Board Requirements

• Saskatchewan: As of January 2025, new fines apply for missing mandatory postings during inspections. Learn more

• Ontario: In July 2025, the Ministry updated the mandatory Prevention Starts Here poster. Download updated poster

• Federal: No material change noted in the last 12 months. Maintain regular review.

Training That Supports Compliance

To support supervisors and safety reps in bulletin board compliance and safety leadership, we recommend:

• Leadership for Safety Excellence: Understand supervisor duties, inspections, and communication. Alberta only Leadership for Safety Excellence Course

• Hazard Assessment Training: Ensure posted documents reflect actual risks.

• Formal Workplace Inspection: Learn how to document hazards that should be communicated on boards.

• Workplace Violence & Harassment: Meet posting and training requirements for new 2025 standards.

• WHMIS 2015 (GHS): Reinforce compliance with posted labels and SDS access.

Documents and Tools

Help your team get it right with these free tools:

• Custom Safety Forms: Includes JHSC minutes, inspection logs, and emergency contacts.

• Toolbox Talks Library: Download relevant talks to support board topics.

• Free Safety Downloads and Templates: Includes bulletin board checklists and templates for required postings.

Quick Roadmap

• This Week: Audit your bulletin board for expiry dates and gaps

• This Month: Update JHSC contacts, emergency plan, and WHMIS sheets

• This Quarter: Train supervisors using Leadership for Safety Excellence and Workplace Inspection

How On-Track Can Help

Managing compliance doesn’t have to be manual. Our Free Group Training Account helps you track certificates, assign courses, and store key safety documents all in one place. Use promo code ONTRACK10 for 10% off any course. 👉 Start Training Smarter Today