• Employment
• My Rights at Work
• Basic Working Conditions

What is the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and how can it help me?

The Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) is the Ontario agency that provides insurance benefits for workers injured on the job.

Each workplace has insurance to assist workers if they get hurt while working. Your workplace insurance gives you access to benefits if you get hurt while doing your job. You must first file a claim with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to receive benefits.

What happens if I get hurt at work?

There are steps you must take if you are hurt or become ill because of your job.

If you become ill or are injured at work, you must:

1. Get medical help. This can be first aid or visiting your doctor or emergency room.
2. Document what happened. Tell your employer and your health and safety representative as soon as possible. They will need to get details and ensure others are not at risk.
3. Report to WSIB. You must report your injury or illness to WSIB if you need treatment from a health professional after receiving first aid; you cannot go to work or have fewer hours because of the incident.

How do I make a report?

You have options for making your report to WSIB.

1. You can sign up for their online services.
2. You can download the WSIB app.
3. You can fill out the form online and submit it.
4. You can fill out the form and mail it.

You have up to six months from the date of injury or your diagnosis to make a report to WSIB. You should always make a report if your injury or illness requires you to visit a doctor. Even if your employer tells you WSIB does not cover your situation or says you shouldn’t make a claim.

It is important to understand that you and your employer are responsible for your recovery and return to work.

You can find information in many languages in this brochure from WSIB.

Appealing a WSIB decision

If you disagree with the WSIB's decision, you can appeal to it using online forms. You have up to 30 days to object to a WSIB decision about return to work or work transition issues, including re-employment decisions. You have up to six months to object to any other WSIB decision.

If you are still unsatisfied, you may appeal to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT). The Tribunal is the highest level of appeal where workers and employers may bring disputes concerning workplace safety and insurance matters in Ontario. The Appeals Tribunal is separate from and independent of the WSIB. The WSIAT has resources to help you with your appeal process.

For More Information

• Worker's Compensation: Making a Claim - A clear guide explaining how to make a claim and what happens after you make a claim. From CLEO.
• Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act - Information from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development explaining what every worker, supervisor, employer, constructor and workplace owner needs to know about the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Office of the Worker Adviser - An independent agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development that advises and represents non-unionized injured workers and their survivors in their workplace insurance cases.