Employers

PRIME for large employers | Path 2


Starting January 1, 2026, if your business employs 20 or more workers at each worksite and pays $10,000 or more in average assessments, you are Path 2.

Path 2 focuses on OHS certification. To qualify for your PRIME refund, Path 2 employers must complete these six steps:

  1. Maintain a 15-element OHS program:
    • We’re here to help employers qualify for PRIME and suggest you take it one element at a time.
    • You may already have many steps of this process completed as a regular part of doing business in Newfoundland and Labrador.
    • Check out our helpful Gap Analysis Tool to get started and track your progress to PRIME.
  2. Annual employer statements: Indicate your participation in PRIME when submitting your statements by the end of February each year.
  3. PRIME audit participation: Undergo a PRIME audit every three years, which includes a WorkplaceNL audit and two employer self-audits.
    • Note: Employers with existing recognized safety certifications (e.g., COR, ISO 45001) may be exempt from the audit process. See below for more information.
  4. Achieve required scores: Obtain at least 65% on each program element and an overall score of 80% to qualify for refunds.
  5. Claim your network: Register your business on the Certification Training Registry (CTR) to manage training requirements and track completions. This only needs to be done once. To learn how, view our How-to Guide and instructional video.
  6. Invite your employees: Like a friend request, the employer must add the employee to their CTR network and the employee must accept. To learn how, view our instructional video.


15 Element OHS Program

Path 2 Employers must implement and maintain a 15-element OHS program to qualify for PRIME. PRIME audits – completed every three years – determine if you meet requirements for a refund.


What is an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Program?

An Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program is made up of plans, procedures, reporting tools and recordkeeping. It guides organizations to operate as safe as possible. Overall, workplace health and safety certification keeps you and your workers safe; it is also a good business practice that can reduce claims costs.


What needs to be included?

  1. Leadership and Commitment
  2. Hazard recognition, evaluation and control
  3. Incident Reporting and Investigation
  4. Personal Protective Equipment
  5. Workplace Inspections
  6. Safe Work Practices and Procedures
  7. Training and Communication
  8. Emergency Preparedness and Response
  9. OHS Committees, WHS Representatives and Designates
  10. Return to Work (RTW)
  11. Fall Prevention
  12. Occupational Health
  13. Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI) Prevention
  14. Workplace Violence, Harassment, and Psychological Health and Safety
  15. Management Review, Records and Statistics
To learn more about each element, see Procedure 507.00 – PRIME Path 2 Employers (OHS Certification) Criteria.


Every workplace has different needs that will be covered under the tasks, procedures, training and forms required under each element – there is no “one size fits all” approach to safety planning. No matter what form it takes, your OHS program should create and maintain an action plan for how you will:

  • Define safety responsibilities
  • Identify and control hazards
  • Orient and train workers
  • Investigate workplace incidents, injuries and unsafe work refusals
  • Monitor health and safety issues and activities in your business

You may already have some of these elements in place, as there are certain items all workplaces are required to have by law.


How do I get started?

We suggest Path 2 employers start with our Gap Analysis Tool. It will help you determine what you already have in place, what you have left to complete and provides templates and resources for every step along the way.


Certificate if Recognition (COR®)

The Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association (NLCSA) administers the Certificate of Recognition (COR®) program, an industry-specific OHS program. Companies that fall within a construction Newfoundland Industrial Classification (NIC) code are required to be COR® certified with a letter of good standing to qualify for refunds under PRIME. You are a construction employer if your NIC code is 4591 or between 4011 and 4499.

In addition, if you are a non-construction employer, but have COR® certification, you may also qualify for refunds under PRIME. For more information about the COR® program please contact the NLCSA at 1-888-681-SAFE (7233) or visit www.nlcsa.com.

We’re here to help!
Our safety advisors can help you get started with PRIME. Call 1.800.563.9000 or email [email protected]. 


Other Helpful Resources

Live scheduled webinarsPrime Path 2: Gap Analysis ToolWhat's new in PRIME webinar


Frequently Asked Questions

1. PRIME Path 2: My business/employer has a health and safety certification from another body. Do we need to participate in the PRIME Path 2 audit?
2. PRIME Path 2: How does the audit work? What is included?
3. PRIME Path 2: How are employer self-audits completed for PRIME Path 2?
4. PRIME Path 2: What is changing in the program in 2026?
5. PRIME Path 2: Do I include remote workers in my worker count?