Health and SafetyAwareness Training for

Workers

Human Resources Advisory Services

The number of people who suffer a work-related illness or injury in Ontario each year, would be able to fill the seats of a dozen large hockey

arenas.

Studies show that new and young workers are 4x more likely to get hurt during their first month on

the job than at any other time.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)

• The OHSA is a set of laws that spells out the duties of employers, supervisors and the rights and duties of workers.

• The Regulations that are attached to the OHSA contain more detailed laws about how to make the workplace safer in specific situations and industries.

• The purpose of the OHSA and Regulations is to keep workers from getting hurt or sick on the job.

• Ministry of Labour inspectors ensure workplaces comply with the OHSA and Regulations.

Health and Safety is Everyone’s Job

Everyone in the workplace from the employer to the newest worker have important roles in keeping

the workplace safe.

The Internal Responsibility System

The goal of the internal responsibility system is to have all personnel working together to identify

and control situations (hazards) that could cause harm. The ultimate objective is to ensure

everyone integrates health and safety into their work environment. This concept is the

foundation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

Due DiligenceThe idea of due diligence is closely related to the concept of the internal responsibility system. Due diligence means, anyone with responsibility for health and safety must “… take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to avoid a work related injury or

illness.”

 

The Occupational Health and Safety legislation provides the right to expect a safe and healthy workplace. Therefore, everyone is

accountable as an individual for carrying out the responsibility of maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers have the most responsibility to ensure the health and safety of

their workers because they have the most authority in the workplace.

General Duties of Employers• Make sure workers know about the hazards and

dangers in the workplace and how to work safely• Appoint competent supervisors and make sure

every supervisor knows how to take care of health and safety on the job

• Create health and safety policies and procedures for the workplace

General Duties of Employers

• Make sure everyone knows and follows the health and safety procedures

• Make sure workers wear and use the correct protective equipment for the job

• Do everything reasonable in the circumstances to keep workers from getting hurt or ill on the job

The Competent Supervisor• Employers have an obligation to appoint competent

supervisors• To be competent under the OHSA, supervisors

must:1. Have knowledge, training and experience to organize work for the

workers

2. Be familiar with the OHSA and the regulations that apply to the workplace being supervised

3. Have knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace

General Duties of Supervisors• Make sure workers work in compliance with the OHSA and its

regulations • Ensure any equipment, protective device or clothing required by the

employer is used or worn by workers • Advise workers of any potential or actual health or safety dangers

known by the supervisor • Where prescribed, provide workers with written instructions about

measures and procedures to be taken for the workers' protection • Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the

protection of workers

General Duties of Workers• Work in compliance with the OHSA and its regulations • Report any known workplace hazards or

contraventions of the OHSA to the supervisor or employer

• Use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing required by the employer

• Work and act in a way that will not hurt themselves or any other worker

Worker RightsThe OHSA gives workers three important

rights:1. The right to know about workplace hazards

and what to do about them

2. The right to participate in solving workplace health and safety problems

3. The right to refuse work they believe is unsafe

No ReprisalsThe Occupational Health and Safety Act

prohibits the employer from reprising against a worker (including supervisors)

for such things as complying with the OHSA, seeking its enforcement, asking

questions or reporting issues.

ReviewWhich of the following groups of workers are

the most likely to get hurt on the job?a) Young workers

b) Workers in a new position

c) New workers

d) All of the above

ReviewA supervisor has the greatest responsibility

for health and safety in the workplacea) True

b) False The Employer has the greatest responsibility because they

have the most authority in the workplace.

Review• The three basic rights of workers in the OHSA

are the right to know about hazards, the right to participate in health and safety activities, and the right to refuse work that they believe is dangerous to themselves or others.

a) True

b) False

Review• Which of the following is NOT an example of

how Employer’s support the worker’s right to participate in health and safety?a) Encouraging them to speak up and listening to their concerns.

b) Encouraging short-cuts to improve productivity.

c) Doing what’s necessary to control the hazards that they identify.

d) Acknowledging their efforts to make the workplace safer and healthier.

Hazards• A hazard is anything in the workplace that could

cause injury or illness to you or the people you work with

• A hazard can take many forms, sometimes more than one hazard can combine to create an even bigger hazard

• Everyone needs to know about the hazards BEFORE they start working

Know the Hazards in your Workplace

• Some of the most common hazards in Ontario workplaces are:– Repeating the same movement over and over– Slipping, tripping and falling– Motorized vehicles– Using or working near machinery– Workplace violence

Know the Hazards• It is important to think about the less obvious

hazards – things like chemicals, fumes, toxic dust, germs and viruses in the workplace.

• Some of these hazards can make workers very sick, and not always immediately after exposure to them.

• Sometimes the effects of these hazards don’t appear until days, weeks, months or even years after the worker was exposed.

Working Together

• It is the employer’s duty to make sure the supervisor knows enough and has enough experience and training to keep worker’s safe while they work (appoint competent supervisors)

• It is the employer and supervisor’s duty to inform workers of health and safety hazards

• It is the worker’s duty to report hazards they are aware of to the employer/supervisor as soon as possible so they can be corrected.

Protecting You From Hazards• Eliminate the hazard. For example replacing a toxic

cleaning chemical with one that is non-toxic• Reduce the hazard. For example putting a barrier/guard

on a piece of equipment (this is called an engineering control), or reducing the amount of time or frequency you come in contact with the hazard by arranging work differently to reduce exposure to the hazard (this is called administrative controls)

• Protective equipment and/or protective devices (PPE)

Protective Equipment & Devices• One of your duties as a worker is always to

wear/use the protective equipment your employer requires

• You must never remove or disable any protective device that is required

• You must make sure you do not use any equipment or machine in a way that could hurt you or any other worker

Other Ways to Learn About Hazards

• Workplace health and safety policies and procedures developed by the employer

• WHMIS training– Labels– MSD Sheets

• Equipment manuals• Training

– JHSC– First Aid– Confined Space– Spill etc

• If you see a hazard on the job, or a “near-miss” (almost accident), report it to your supervisor or employer so that steps can be taken to correct the hazard and prevent accidents

• Prevention is everyone’s job

ReviewCommon hazards in the workplace include:

a) Noise

b) Lighting or lack there of

c) Electricity and other energy sources

d) Confined spaces

e) Sharp objects or equipment

f) All of the above

ReviewIf a hazard can make you feel sick, you will

always start to feel sick right awaya) True

b) False Exposure to hazards do not always result in illness immediately.

Illness can occur hours, days, weeks or even years after the initial exposure.

ReviewMethods to protect workers from hazards

include:a) Replacing toxic chemicals for non-toxic varieties

b) Installing guards on machines

c) Increasing ventilation

d) Wearing safety glasses, hard hats and steel-toed shoes

e) All of the above

ReviewThe various ways to protect you from hazards

include:a) Eliminating the hazard

b) Reducing the hazard through engineering controls

c) Reducing exposure to the hazard through administrative/work practice controls

d) All of the above

Working Together

Understanding the Occupational Health and Safety Act is all about knowing

the health and safety duties of employers, supervisors and the duties

and rights of workers, and putting them into action.

Working Together• If an employer knows about a hazard and doesn't try to

eliminate or reduce it, or make sure the workers are told about it and how to deal with it, that employer is not doing what the law requires.

• If a supervisor knows about a hazard and doesn't explain to the workers how to deal with it, that supervisor is not doing what the law requires.

• If a worker knows about a hazard and doesn't report it to the supervisor or the employer, that worker is not doing what the law requires

The Right To Participate

• The OHSA gives workers the right to participate and get involved in keeping the workplace safe

The Right To Participate• Some examples of ways to get involved

include:– Ask questions when you’re not sure about something– Volunteer to become a worker health and safety representative or

a worker member of the joint health and safety committee– Help your health and safety representative or joint health and

safety committee with health and safety inspections by pointing out possible hazards in your work area

– Take your health and safety training seriously and put what you learn into practice

Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC)

Number of Workers Legislative Requirement

1 - 5 There is no legislative requirement for a JHSC or a Health and Safety representative. However, if your workplace uses designated substances, a JHSC is required.

6 - 19 One Health and Safety representative, selected by the employees they represent, is required.

20 - 49 A JHSC is required. The committee must have at least two (2) members, with one member chosen by the workers. Minimum of one certified worker representative and one certified employer representative.

50+ A JHSC is required. The committee must have at least four (4) members, with two members chosen by the workers. Minimum of one certified worker representative and one certified employer representative.

Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC)

• Because the employer and the workers are represented on the committee, everybody has a role in recognizing, assessing and controlling hazards.

• A member of the committee who represents workers must regularly inspect the workplace. Information from these inspections is brought back to the committee. The committee then makes recommendations to the employer to improve health and safety.

• The employer has to respond to these recommendations within 21 days.

Health and Safety Representatives (HSR)

• The HSR has similar duties as JHSC committee members, including inspecting the workplace regularly and making recommendations to the employer about how to fix hazards and resolve health and safety problems

Health and Safety Information• The OHSA requires employers to post the

OHSA and other health and safety information in the workplace, such as an occupational health and safety poster.

• If the workplace has more than 5 workers, an company health and safety policy must also be posted.

• How you work, and the way you think and talk about the work can affect the safety of the people you work with

• Be a good role model for a safer workplace

Review• If you see a hazard on the job, you have a

duty to speak upa) True

b) False

ReviewEmployers with 5 or more workers must

post a company health and safety policya) True

b) False

ReviewJHS Committees must have at least 2 people on

them – one chosen by the workers and one chosen by the employer. In workplaces with 50+ employees, there must be at least 2 members chosen by the workers and 2 chosen by the employer.a) True

b) False

What if…..?• If your report a hazard to your supervisor

and/or employer and it does not get addressed, you can contact the Ministry of Labour

• The job of the MOL is to help prevent injuries/illnesses through enforcement of the OHSA

• The MOL wants to hear if there is a problem that is not getting fixed

• You can call 1-877-202-0008 anytime 24 hours per day / 7 days per week

• You do not have to give your name and/or number when you call

• Your employer cannot fire or punish you in any way for contacting the MOL

The Act is quite clear, your employer or supervisor cannot fire or punish you in

any way for doing what the OHSA expects you to do, or because you asked them to do what the OHSA expects them to do. It’s even against the law for your

employer or supervisor to threaten to fire or punish you for these things.

If you feel that your employer is taking action against you for raising a concern, you can discuss it with a union official if you are a

member of a union, or bring a complaint to the Ontario Labour Relations Board. If you’re not sure what to do, you can call the Ministry’s

Office of the Worker Adviser which also provides free advice and representation to non‐

unionized workers who are in this situation.

Ministry of Labour Office of the Worker Advisor

1-855-659-7744

The Right to Refuse• If you have reason to believe that the work you

are doing or the equipment you are using might hurt you or someone you work with, you can refuse to do that work. This means that you tell your employer or supervisor (and your health and safety representative or committee) that you think you are in danger and you are not going to do the work. You need to tell them why.

The Right to Refuse• It’s important to know that you can also

refuse work if you have reason to believe that the area where you are working is likely to endanger you or any other worker, or that you are in danger from workplace violence.

The Right to Refuse• When a worker comes to the supervisor refusing to

do particular work because they feel it will endanger themselves or others, the supervisor must look into the worker’s concerns and do everything they can to address them.

• Often the supervisor can correct the issue, but if the worker still feels the work is unsafe, the Ministry of Labour must be called in.

Work Refusal Process

The Right to Refuse• Some workers, such as nurses, firefighters and

police officers cannot refuse work if the danger is a normal part of their job or if refusing work would put someone else in danger

• Talk to your union, other workplace representatives, supervisor or employer if you think your right to refuse work may be limited by the work you do

More Information and Resources

• Ontario has a health and safety “system” made up of a number of partners.

Ministry of LabourDevelops, communicates and enforces occupational

health and safety requirements and employment standards. Develops, coordinates and implements

strategies to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses and can set standards for health and

safety training

1‐877‐202‐0008

http://www.labour.gov.on.ca

Worker’s Health & Safety Centre

An occupational health and safety training centre for workers, representatives and

employers.

1‐888‐869‐7950

http://www.whsc.on.ca

Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers

Six medical clinics located across Ontario that provide occupational health services

and information.

1‐877‐817‐0336

http://www.ohcow.on.ca

Health & Safety OntarioFour health and safety associations that provide sector specific

consulting, training, products and services. http://www.healthandsafetyontario.ca

• Infrastructure Health and Safety Association – serves electrical, construction and transportation sectors.

1-800‐263‐5024

• Public Services Health and Safety Association – serves health, education and municipal sectors.

1-877-250-7444

Health & Safety Ontario• Workplace Safety North – serves mining, pulp and paper

and forestry sectors.

1‐888-730-7821

• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services – serves industrial, farming and service sectors.

1-877-494-9777

The system is there to serve everyone in the workplace – employers, supervisors and workers.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Another place for information is the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. They have information and fact sheets on

their website.

1‐800‐668‐4284

www.ccohs.ca

ReviewThe job of the MOL is to help prevent

injuries/illnesses through enforcement of the OHSA.

a)True

b)False

ReviewIf your report a hazard to your supervisor

and/or employer and it does not get addressed, you can contact the Ministry of Labour.

a)True

b)False

ReviewOntario has a health and safety “system”

made up of a number of partners.

a)True

b)False

ReviewHealth and Safety Partners include:a)Ministry of Labour

b)Workers Health & Safety Centre

c)Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers

d)Health & Safety Ontario

e)All of the Above

• When it comes to health and safety there is no such thing as a silly question

• Knowing your health and safety rights and duties, the duties of your supervisors and employer, is an important step in staying safe at work

Now What?Learn about the health and safety specific to your

workplace:– Specific hazards in your workplace– The procedure to follow when reporting health and safety concerns, incidents or injuries– Any protective equipment you are required to wear or use – Where the company’s health and safety policy is posted (in workplaces with more than 5

workers)– Where the first aid station is and the names of qualified first aid providers– The company’s emergency plan– Information on hazardous materials in your workplace– The workplace violence and harassment prevention policy– Where a copy of the OHSA is posted– Where the names of your joint health and safety committee members are posted