What employers need to know about OHS Officers and entry to your workplace and your home

Posted on: May 06 2026

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officers help ensure workplaces are safe and compliant. For employers, understanding when an officer can freely enter your workplace – and when they need a warrant – is important , especially as more businesses operate from home or remote locations.

What authority do OHS Officers have?

OHS officers have broad authority to ensure compliance which includes the ability to:

• Enter and inspect a workplace at a reasonable time
• Examine equipment, materials, and processes
• Request and review documents related to workplace health and safety
• Take photos or recordings
• Conduct tests or investigations
• Interview individuals and gather evidence

This authority allows officers to assess safety risks and respond to complaints effectively. 

When can an OHS Officer enter my workplace without a warrant?

In most cases, OHS Officers do not need a warrant to enter a workplace.

They can enter freely when: 

• The location is a traditional workplace (office, construction site, retail space)
• Entry is at a reasonable hour
• The purpose is to inspect, investigate, or ensure compliance

Employers should expect that inspections may happen: 

• As part of routine compliance checks
• In response to a complaint
• Following a workplace incident

What if my business operates from home?  

If your business operates out of your home, the officer can only enter the part of the home that is considered the workplace. No warrant is required if the officer is entering a clearly defined workspace within the home that is used for business purposes (a home office, workshop, or studio open to employees or clients).

Does using my home as a business address allow warrantless entry?

Simply listing a residence as a business address does not automatically make the entire home a workplace for inspection purposes. The key issue is whether the area the officer seeks to access is actually being used for business or work-related activities.

When is a warrant required? 

A warrant is required when entry involves accessing private living areas of the home, or if the employer refuses entry.  

If it is unclear whether the space is a workplace or private living area, a warrant would also be required.

Do urgent or emergency situations change an officer’s authority?

A warrant may also be required where business activity within the home is limited, incidental, or unclear.
 
In urgent or exigent circumstances involving immediate health or safety concerns, officers may have broader authority to take immediate action without first obtaining a warrant.

As an employer, what should I do during an inspection?

Whether or not a warrant is required, employers should:

• Cooperate with the officer and provide requested information
• Ensure health and safety records are accessible and up to date
• Ask questions if unsure about the scope of the inspection
• Take note of any orders or recommendations issued

 If you’re unsure about your rights or obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, contact info@oeans.ca or contact the OHS Division, by calling 1-800-952-2687.