Safety is the cornerstone of any successful workplace, and clear communication is the foundation for maintaining it. Whether you’re managing a bustling construction site, a quiet office, or an industrial factory floor, keeping employees informed and alert is essential. Safety memos play a critical role in achieving this, offering concise, actionable information about hazards, protocols, and updates.
In this article, we’ll explore the top five safety memo templates and formats to help you communicate safety protocols with clarity and impact. Whether you’re drafting reminders for workplace hazards, seasonal updates, or compliance with industry regulations, these templates are designed to save time and ensure consistency.
- What are safety memos?
- Safety Memo Templates
- Safety Memo Resources
- Need Workplace Health and Safety Training?
For more information about workplace safety and training, contact ACUTE today!
Keep your workers safe by using these safety memo templates
What Are Safety Memos?
The main goal of a safety memo is to keep employers, workers, and the public safe from workplace hazards. Safety memos may come in a variety of different forms. Here are a few examples:
- A poster in your workplace, reminding you to properly wash your hands after using the washroom
- A video on YouTube or a public safety announcement posted online
- A formal letter
But what makes a safety memo truly effective? Beyond the content, its format and presentation matter. Pairing well-structured memos with engaging safety videos can significantly enhance understanding and retention. Videos offer a dynamic way to illustrate safety practices, ensuring that important messages resonate with diverse teams.
On this page, you will find our downloadable top 5 safety memo templates. These 5 memos will give you an idea of how to write a great safety memo for your workplace.
Safety Memo Templates
The following safety memo templates are for you to view and download! You can click on the “Click HERE” links to download or click on the corresponding pictures. If they are applicable to your workplace, feel free to fill in the information at the top of the page and distribute it to those who may need this information.
1. Working at Heights Ticket Expiry
Working at Heights Ticket Expiry Memo – Click HERE to download our Working at Heights ticket expiry safety memo template (Word document).
This memo provides essential information about Working At Heights (WAH) training requirements, offering clarity on both who must undergo training and the deadlines for compliance with updated safety standards.
It specifies that WAH training is mandatory for workers who utilize safety systems such as travel restraint systems, fall restricting systems, fall arrest systems, safety nets, and safety belts.
This ensures that all individuals operating in elevated or potentially hazardous environments are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to mitigate risks effectively.
2. Confined Space Entry Permit
Confined Space Entry Permit – Click HERE to download our Confined Space Entry Permit safety memo template (Word document).
This memo details the key requirements and procedures for confined space entry permits, focusing on safety and compliance during operations. It specifies when a permit is needed, such as for tasks involving restricted access, hazardous atmospheres, or risks like engulfment or entrapment. It also emphasizes the importance of making the permit accessible to all relevant personnel, including the entry team, supervisors, and safety monitors, to ensure transparency and accountability.
The memo further outlines protocols for managing multiple entries, such as updating or reissuing permits as conditions or risks change. It underscores the necessity of documenting each entry to maintain accurate records of personnel, safety checks, and timelines. These clear guidelines help organizations reduce risks and comply with workplace safety regulations.
3. Worker’s Rights & Responsibilities
Employee Rights & Responsibilities – Click HERE to download our Employee Rights & Responsibilities safety memo template (Word document).
This document outlines workers’ rights and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Ontario Ministry of Labour. It helps employees understand their role in maintaining a safe workplace by detailing their obligations and legal protections.
Responsibilities include following safety procedures, using PPE, reporting hazards, and participating in training. Workers’ rights include refusing unsafe work, knowing about hazards, and engaging in safety initiatives, with legal protection against retaliation. By defining these roles clearly, the document fosters a culture of safety, accountability, and respect.
4. WHMIS 2015 GHS
WHMIS 2015 GHS – Click HERE to download our WHMIS 2015 GHS safety memo template (Word document).
This memo reminds workers and employers of updated WHMIS training standards under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). It outlines key changes, including standardized hazard classifications, labelling, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), creating a consistent approach to managing hazardous materials across industries.
The memo provides guidance on determining WHMIS training requirements based on roles and exposure, emphasizing the need for compliance to meet legal obligations and ensure workplace safety. By clarifying who needs training, what it covers, and how to access it, the memo helps employers and employees transition smoothly to the enhanced system, reducing risks and promoting a safer work environment.
5. Working at Heights Refresher Training
Working at Heights Refresher Training – Click HERE to download our Working at Heights Refresher Training safety memo template (Word document).
This memo reminds workers and employers of updated WHMIS training standards under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), highlighting changes like standardized hazard classifications, labelling, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for consistent hazardous material management.
It guides determining training needs based on roles and exposure, emphasizing compliance to meet legal requirements and ensure safety. By clarifying who needs training, what it includes, and how to access it, the memo supports a smooth transition to the enhanced system while reducing risks and fostering workplace safety.
Safety Memo Resources
Safety memos can help spread a safety awareness culture in your workplace. The safety memo templates above are just one of the formats safety memos come in! Safety memo videos, posters, and even social media posts are other great ways to spread safety awareness.
Need Workplace Health and Safety Training?
There are many different types of workplace health and safety training courses. Only some are legislated but they are very beneficial to take. Here are some of the more common workplace safety training courses that ACUTE offers. For a complete list of our courses, click here.
Working At Heights
ACUTE’s Working at Heights training program has been approved by the Chief Prevention Officer under the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s Working at Heights Training Program Standard and the Working at Heights Training Provider Standard. ACUTE’s Working at Heights training provides theory and hands-on practical training and evaluation facilitated by highly skilled and competent instructors.
Training Program Duration: 1 Day (8 Hours)
Confined Space Entry Awareness
This training program will familiarize a participant with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 632/05 – Confined Spaces. Furthermore, the training program is intended to provide entrants, attendants and competent persons with the skills and training required to recognize confined space entry risks and how to establish measured and corresponding controls. Participants will have the opportunity to become familiar with, inspect and use Confined Space Entry (CSE) access equipment and air quality instrumentation.
Training Program Duration: 1 Day (8 Hours)
Confined Space Rescue
This training program builds on the content of the Confined Space Entry Awareness course to train participants on safety considerations and how to safely perform rescues from confined spaces. This program has a very significant practical component that can be physically demanding for some. Participants will have the opportunity to extricate weighted mannequins from our confined space simulators.
Training Program Duration: 1 Day (8 Hours)
Working At Heights – Refresher Course
A Working At Heights refresher course must be taken every 3 years in order to remain MLITSD compliant. All participants must bring their CPO-issued Working at Heights Proof of Training Card. Learners will not be admitted into the course without this card. Failure to provide this card on the day of training will result in a forfeit of payment.
Training Program Duration: 1/2 Day (4 Hours)
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Transportation of Dangerous Goods training participants will be presented with a thorough overview of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation (TDGR). TDGR provisions will be explained in simple terms to help learners ensure that dangerous goods will be handled, offered for transport and transported safely.
Training Program Duration: 1 Day (8 Hours)
Get Training With Director Approved Training Provider ACUTE
Safety memos are a great way to remind workers about good safety practices. However, hands-on, practical training is the best way to keep employers and workers safe! ACUTE is dedicated to workplace safety and understands the importance of course and training provider approval. Why get workplace safety training with ACUTE? Here are just some of the benefits of working with ACUTE.
- Open Door Instructor-Student Partnership – ACUTE’s training services emphasize client participation. Staff foster relationships with clients and serve as a touchstone for advice anytime moving forward.
- Serving Your Team and Industry – With a vast array of clients in manufacturing, construction, health, academic, and government sectors, ACUTE brings the best safety practices from across the spectrum to your workplace.
- 100 Years Combined Experience – ACUTE provides comprehensive health and safety training, on-site safety services, and consulting services. With over 100 years of combined experience, our company staff offers more than theoretical or abstract ideas. ACUTE offers solutions.
- Track Record of Success – ACUTE is rated 4.9/5 stars on Google reviews, demonstrating a commitment to our clients, quality, and passion for training.
Click here to see what training courses we have at ACUTE or contact us today for quality training in your workplace or on-site at ACUTE’s proven training facilities!
ACUTE is located in Waterloo, Ontario, and services customers from cities such as Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Milton, Kitchener, London, Guelph, and other cities across Ontario.
What Our Clients Are Saying…
“Working with ACUTE is a seamless process. They are very helpful and accommodating with all types of training requests.”
– Cheryl
