Duties & Responsibilities

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

29 Nov 201704:49

Summary

TLDRIn Ontario, workplace health and safety is governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, promoting a shared responsibility system among employers, supervisors, and workers. Employers must establish safety programs, train workers, and manage hazards. Supervisors enforce safety rules and train workers on safe job performance. Workers are expected to follow procedures, use safety equipment, and report hazards. They also have rights to know, participate, and refuse unsafe work without repercussions. A well-functioning internal responsibility system is crucial for preventing injuries, reducing insurance costs, and avoiding legal penalties.

Takeaways

📚 The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) in Ontario governs workplace safety and is colloquially known as the 'green book'.
🤝 The Internal Responsibility System (IRS) is a shared duty among employers, supervisors, and workers to ensure a safe workplace.
👷‍♂️ Employers are responsible for establishing health and safety programs, including rules, training, and providing proper tools and equipment.
👨‍🏫 Supervisors must train workers on safe job practices, enforce safety rules, and take reasonable precautions to prevent accidents.
👷 Workers are expected to follow safety procedures, use safety equipment correctly, and report hazards and injuries to supervisors.
🤔 Workers have three key rights: to know about job hazards, to participate in health and safety, and to refuse unsafe work.
🚫 Workers cannot be threatened or punished for exercising their rights under the OHSA, such as reporting hazards or refusing unsafe work.
💸 A poorly managed IRS can lead to increased costs, including higher WSIB insurance premiums and potential fines from the Ministry of Labour.
🚨 Workplace injuries and illnesses can result in legal consequences, including jail time for employers, supervisors, or workers.
🛠️ To support the IRS, understand and communicate specific duties and responsibilities, and engage in dialogue with workers to ensure understanding and compliance.
🔧 Resources and tools for health and safety programs can be found at the WSPS small business center.

Q & A

What is the Occupational Health and Safety Act commonly referred to as in Ontario?
-The Occupational Health and Safety Act is commonly referred to as the OHS Act or simply the Act.
What is the Internal Responsibility System (IRS)?
-The Internal Responsibility System (IRS) is the underlying principle of the OHS Act, which means maintaining a healthy and safe workplace is a shared responsibility among the employer, supervisor, and workers.
Who is considered a worker under the OHS Act?
-A worker is generally any person who gets paid to perform work or supply services, including co-op students, interns, and apprentices.
What are the key responsibilities of an employer under the OHS Act?
-An employer is responsible for establishing the health and safety program, determining safe work rules, training workers, providing and maintaining the right tools and equipment, managing hazards, and appointing competent supervisors.
What duties does a supervisor have regarding workplace safety?
-A supervisor is responsible for training workers on safe job performance, enforcing safety rules and equipment use, and taking every reasonable precaution to ensure safety.
What are the responsibilities of workers in the internal responsibility system?
-Workers are responsible for following safe work procedures and rules, using safety equipment properly, and reporting hazards and injuries to their supervisors.
What are the three rights of workers under the OHS Act?
-Workers have the right to know about potential job hazards, the right to participate in workplace health and safety, and the right to refuse unsafe work.
What are the potential consequences for a business with a dysfunctional internal responsibility system?
-A dysfunctional internal responsibility system can lead to workplace injuries and illnesses, higher insurance costs, Ministry of Labour work orders, tickets, fines, and potential jail sentences for non-compliance.
What should a worker do if they believe work is unsafe?
-If a worker believes work is unsafe, they should report the hazard, refuse to perform the unsafe work, and cooperate with the Ministry of Labour during inspections or investigations without fear of punishment.
How can a business support its internal responsibility system?
-A business can support its internal responsibility system by understanding and documenting specific duties and responsibilities, communicating this information to all relevant parties, and engaging in dialogue with workers to ensure understanding and compliance.
Where can businesses find tools and resources to support their health and safety program?
-Businesses can find tools and resources to support their health and safety program by visiting the WSPS small business center at WSPS.CA.

Outlines

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🛠️ Workplace Safety in Ontario

In Ontario, workplace health and safety is governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act), also known as the 'green book.' The Act emphasizes the shared responsibility among employers, supervisors, and workers to maintain a safe workplace, known as the Internal Responsibility System (IRS). Employers are responsible for establishing health and safety programs, including setting rules, training, providing tools and equipment, and managing hazards. Supervisors are tasked with training workers on safe work practices and enforcing safety rules. Workers are expected to follow procedures, use safety equipment correctly, and report hazards or injuries. Additionally, workers have three rights: to know about job hazards, to participate in health and safety, and to refuse unsafe work without fear of reprisal. Non-compliance with the OHS Act can lead to increased insurance costs, fines, and legal consequences, including jail time. To support the IRS, it is crucial to understand and communicate the specific duties and responsibilities of each workplace party and engage workers in maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Resources for health and safety programs can be found at the WSPS small business center.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Occupational Health and Safety Act

The Occupational Health and Safety Act, often abbreviated as OHS or referred to as the 'green book,' is a legal framework in Ontario that governs workplace health and safety. It is crucial for defining the roles and responsibilities of employers, supervisors, and workers in maintaining a safe work environment. The Act serves as the foundation for the internal responsibility system, emphasizing a shared duty to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

💡Internal Responsibility System (IRS)

The Internal Responsibility System (IRS) is a principle under the OHS Act that mandates a collaborative effort among employers, supervisors, and workers to ensure workplace safety. It is highlighted in the script as the underlying philosophy of the Act, where all parties are expected to work together to identify hazards, control them, and prevent injuries. The IRS is integral to the video's message, promoting a culture of safety and shared accountability.

💡Employer

In the context of the OHS Act, an 'employer' is defined as the owner or the person in charge of a workplace. The employer's responsibilities include establishing health and safety programs, setting safe work rules, providing training, and ensuring proper tools and equipment. The employer's role is pivotal in the video's narrative, as they are ultimately responsible for creating a safe workplace.

💡Supervisor

A 'supervisor' under the OHS Act is an individual who has authority over a workplace or workers. Supervisors are tasked with training workers on safe job procedures, enforcing safety rules, and taking reasonable precautions to prevent accidents. The script emphasizes the supervisor's duty to manage hazards and ensure the use of safety equipment, which is critical to the video's theme of safety at work.

💡Worker

A 'worker' is broadly defined in the OHS Act as any person who is paid to perform work or supply services, including co-op students, interns, and apprentices. Workers have specific responsibilities such as following safe work procedures, using safety equipment correctly, and reporting hazards. The video underscores the importance of workers' active participation in maintaining a safe workplace.

💡Hazard

A 'hazard' refers to any potential source of harm or a situation that could cause injury or illness in a workplace. The script mentions that it is the collective responsibility of the employer, supervisor, and worker to identify and control hazards. Understanding and managing hazards is a key aspect of the video's message on workplace safety.

💡Safety Equipment

Safety equipment encompasses tools, devices, or machinery designed to protect workers from injuries or health hazards. The script highlights the employer's duty to provide and maintain such equipment, and the workers' responsibility to use it correctly. Safety equipment is a tangible example of how the video's theme of prevention and protection is implemented.

💡Health and Safety Program

A 'health and safety program' is a structured approach established by employers to manage workplace safety. It includes rules, training, hazard management, and emergency procedures. The video script emphasizes the importance of such programs in fulfilling the employer's obligations under the OHS Act and in fostering a safe work environment.

💡Rights of Workers

Workers have specific rights under the OHS Act, including the right to know about job hazards, to participate in health and safety processes, and to refuse unsafe work. The script underscores these rights as part of the internal responsibility system, ensuring workers are empowered to contribute to a safe workplace without fear of reprisal.

💡WSIB

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is a Canadian organization that provides insurance for workplace-related injuries and diseases. The script mentions WSIB in the context of increased insurance costs due to workplace injuries and illnesses, highlighting the financial implications of a dysfunctional health and safety system.

💡Ministry of Labour

The Ministry of Labour is a government body responsible for enforcing the OHS Act and ensuring compliance with workplace safety regulations. The script refers to the Ministry's role in issuing work orders, tickets, and fines for non-compliance, emphasizing the legal consequences of failing to adhere to the Act's requirements.

Highlights

Ontario's Workplace health and safety is regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

The OHSA is also known as the 'green book'.

Maintaining a healthy and safe workplace is a shared responsibility under the OHSA.

The Internal Responsibility System (IRS) is the underlying principle of the OHSA.

Employers, supervisors, and workers all have specific duties and responsibilities for workplace safety.

Employers are responsible for establishing health and safety programs.

Supervisors must train workers on safe job procedures and enforce safety rules.

Workers are expected to follow safe work procedures and use safety equipment properly.

Workers have the right to know about potential job hazards.

Workers have the right to participate in workplace health and safety.

Workers have the right to refuse unsafe work.

Workers are protected from threats or punishment for following health and safety laws.

A dysfunctional IRS can lead to increased WSIB insurance costs and legal penalties.

Non-compliance with the OHSA can result in work orders, tickets, and fines from the Ministry of Labour.

Convictions under the OHSA can lead to jail sentences for employers, supervisors, or workers.

Supporting the IRS involves understanding and communicating specific duties and responsibilities.

The WSPS small business center provides tools and resources to support health and safety programs.