Federal Employers: Your Annual Safety Reports Are Due March 1
If you're federally regulated, you have reporting obligations most provincial employers don't. And the deadline is coming up fast.
Who This Applies To
You're federally regulated if your business falls under the Canada Labour Code. This includes:
- Banking
- Telecommunications
- Broadcasting
- Inter-provincial transportation (trucking, rail, marine, air)
- Pipelines
- First Nations band councils
- Grain elevators
- Uranium mining
- Federal Crown corporations
If you're not sure, check your jurisdiction. The rules are different at the federal level.
The Two Reports
Federally regulated employers must submit two annual reports to the Labour Program by March 1 each year:
1. Hazardous Occurrence Report
Covers all work-related:
- Fatalities
- Disabling injuries
- Near misses with serious injury potential
- Structural failures
- Fires, explosions, electrical contact
- Dangerous substance releases
2. Harassment and Violence Report
Covers all workplace harassment and violence occurrences, including those resolved through negotiated resolution or conciliation.
The Part Everyone Misses
You must submit these reports even if you had zero incidents.
This catches a lot of employers. No incidents doesn't mean no report. You still need to file a "nil" report confirming you had nothing to report.
Failure to submit is a compliance violation.
What's Coming
The Labour Program has announced they're reviewing administrative monetary penalties to ensure they effectively deter violations. Penalty amounts are being evaluated for both labour standards and occupational health and safety violations.
Translation: fines are likely going up, and enforcement is likely increasing.
Other Federal Changes to Watch
- Right to Disconnect: New requirements for policies on disconnecting from work-related communications after hours
- Replacement Workers: Bill C-58 bans use of replacement workers during strikes or lockouts (in force June 2025)
- Wage Theft Penalties: Increased penalties for wage violations under review
Action Items
- Confirm your jurisdiction. If you're federally regulated, these requirements apply.
- Compile your 2025 incident data. Even if it's zero, you need documentation.
- Submit by March 1. Don't miss the deadline.
- Review your harassment and violence policy. Ensure it meets current Part II requirements. Our safety consulting team can assist with compliance reviews.
Federally Regulated Employer?
We help federal jurisdiction employers navigate Canada Labour Code requirements and prepare compliant reports.
Request a Consultation