Ministry of Labour

Worker

Health & Safety at Work Prevention Starts Here

Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps

This workbook belongs to:

2

TableofContents Introduction 4

Step1:GetonBoard 5

Everyonehasaroleinsafety 5

HowtheOccupationalHealthandSafetyActworks 5

Dutiesoftheemployer 6

Dutiesofthesupervisor 7

Dutiesoftheworker 7

Rightsoftheworker 8

Step1quiz 9

Step2:GetintheKnow 10

Youneedtoknowabouthazards 10

Somecommonworkplacehazards 10

Protectingyoufromhazards 12

Protectiveequipmentanddevices 13

Otherwaystofindoutabouthazards 13

Step2quiz 15

Step3:GetInvolved 16

Workingtogetherforsafety 16

Therighttoparticipateinhealthandsafety 16

Healthandsafetyrepresentativesandhealthandsafetycommittees 17

Whattolookforandwhattoask 17

Beasafetyrolemodel 18

Step3quiz 19

3

Step4:GetMoreHelp 20

Youarenotalone 20

Therighttorefuseunsafework 21

Moreinformationandresources 21

Step4quiz 23

What’snext? 24

Answerstoquizquestions 25

Ontario’sHealth&SafetySystem 27

4

IntroductionThisworkbookexplainsyourrightsandresponsibilitiesonthejobandtellsyouwhatOntario’sOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct(OHSA)expectsfromyouremployer,yoursupervisorandyou.Thesearethingsyouneedtoknowandunderstandsothatyoucanbesafeatworktodayandeveryday.

Everyoneintheworkplace,fromtheemployertothenewestworker,hasdifferentbutimportantdutiestokeeptheworkplacesafe.Becauseemployershavethemostauthorityintheworkplace,theyhavethegreatestresponsibilitybutit’simportantforyourownsafetythatyouunderstandeveryone’shealthandsafetyduties,includingyours.

Preventinginjuriesandillnessesatworkstartshere,withthethingsyoulearninthisworkbook,butitdoesn’tendhere.Oneofyouremployer’sdutiesundertheOHSAistogiveyouspecificinformationandinstructionsabouthowtostaysafeonyourjob.Whatyoulearnfromthisprogramwillhelpyoustarttounderstandthoseinstructions.Wehopeyouwillusewhatyoulearnhereeverydayofyourworkinglife.

5

Step1:GetOnBoard

EveryonehasaroleinsafetyAnewjobisachanceforafreshstart.You’relearningnewskillsandmeetingnewpeople.Buteveryjobhashazards,nomatterhowsafeitlooks.

ThenumberofpeopleinOntariowhosufferawork‐relatedillnessorinjuryeachyearwouldfilltheseatsofadozenbighockeyarenas.

Fromthelistbelow,whodoyouthinkismorelikelytogethurtorsickonthejob?Checkoneoftheboxesandexplainwhy.

1.Newandyoungworkers ❏

Why?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.Experiencedworkers ❏

Why?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Therightansweris#1.StudiesshowthatnewandyoungworkersinOntarioarefourtimesmorelikelytogethurtduringtheirfirstmonthonthejobthanatanyothertime.

That’sbecausetheyoftenaren’ttoldaboutordon’tunderstandthehazardsofthejob.Theydon’tknowwhattoexpectfromtheiremployer,theirsupervisor,andofthemselves.Sometimestheyaren’tsurewhatquestionstoask.Sometimestheydon’tevenknowwhotoask.

That’swherethelawcomesin.

HowtheOccupationalHealthandSafetyActworksTheOHSAisasetoflawsthatspellsoutthedutiesofemployers,supervisorsandtherightsanddutiesofworkers.TherearealsodifferentRegulationsthatareattachedtotheOHSA.Theycontainmoredetailedlawsabouthowtomaketheworkplacesafeinspecificsituations.Forexample,severalRegulationsexplainwhatisneededtoworksafelywithchemicalsandotherhazardousmaterials.Thisincludestraining,warninglabelsonproductsandinformationsheets.TherearealsoRegulationsfordifferenttypesofworkplaces,suchasconstructionprojects,healthcarefacilities,industrialestablishmentsandmines.

6

ThewholepointoftheOHSAandRegulationsistokeepworkersfromgettinghurtorsickonthejob.ThereareinspectorsfromtheMinistryofLabourwhomakesurethelawsarefollowedandmayissueordersorlaychargesiftheyaren’t.Ifapersonisconvictedofbreakingthelaw,therearepenaltiessuchasfinesortimeinprison.

TheOHSAgiveseveryoneintheworkplaceduties.Thesedutiesareconnectedtothelevelofauthorityeachpersonhasintheworkplace.Tosortoutallthedutiesinaworkplace,theOHSAbreaksthemdowntothreemainlevelsofauthority:

1. theemployer(whoisinchargeofeveryone)

2. thesupervisor

3. theworker(you).

TowhichofthesethreepeopledoyouthinktheOHSAgivesthemostduties?Checkoneoftheboxesbelowandexplainwhy.

1.Theemployer ❏

Why?_________________________________________________________________________

2.Thesupervisor ❏

Why?_________________________________________________________________________

3.Theworker ❏

Why?_________________________________________________________________________

Therightansweris#1–theemployer.Themoreauthorityapersonhasintheworkplace,themorehealthandsafetydutiestheyhave.

It’simportantforyoursafetythatyouunderstandeveryone’shealthandsafetyduties.

DutiesoftheemployerHerearesomeofthethingstheOHSAsayseveryemployerhastodoaspartoftheirjob:

1. Makesureworkersknowabouthazardsanddangersintheworkplaceandhowtoworksafely

2. Makesureeverysupervisorknowshowtotakecareofhealthandsafetyonthejob.

3. Createhealthandsafetypoliciesandproceduresfortheworkplace.

 

  7  

4. Make  sure  everyone  knows  and  follows  the  health  and  safety  procedures.      

5. Make  sure  workers  wear  and  use  the  right  protective  equipment.  

6. Do  everything  reasonable  to  keep  workers  from  getting  hurt  or  sick  on  the  job.  

Duties  of  the  supervisor  Here  are  some  of  the  things  the  OHSA  says  every  supervisor  has  to  do  as  part  of  their  job:  

1. Tell  workers  about  hazards  and  dangers  in  the  workplace  and  show  them    how  to  work  safely.  

2. Make  sure  workers  follow  the  law  and  the  workplace  health  and  safety    policies  and  procedures.  

3. Make  sure  workers  wear  and  use  the  right  protective  equipment.  

4. Do  everything  reasonable  to  keep  workers  from  getting  hurt  or  sick  on  the  job.    

Duties  of  the  worker    Now  here  are  some  of  the  things  the  OHSA  says  every  worker  has  to  do  as  part  of  their  job:  

1. Follow  the  law  and  the  workplace  health  and  safety  policies  and  procedures.    

2. Always  wear  or  use  the  protective  equipment  that  the  employer  requires.  

3. Work  and  act  in  a  way  that  won’t  hurt  them  or  any  other  worker.  

4. Report  any  hazard  they  find  in  the  workplace  to  their  supervisor.  

Suppose  you  have  been  asked  to  do  something  that  you  don’t  know  very  much  about.    What  should  your  employer  and  your  supervisor  do  to  make  sure  you  are  able  to  do  it  safely?  Explain  in  the  space  below.    

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________    The  people  who  made  the  OHSA  thought  about  that  question,  too.  The  Act  says  that    your  supervisor  and  your  employer  have  to  “take  every  precaution  reasonable  in  the  circumstances  for  your  protection.”    That  means  they  have  to  do  everything  that  is  reasonable  to  protect  you  on  the  job.    

8

RightsoftheworkerYouremployerhastheresponsibilitytomaketheworkplaceassafeaspossibleandtotellyouaboutanyhazardsintheworkyoudo.Yoursupervisorhasthesameduty.Theyalsohavetomakesureyouknowhowtoavoidthosedangersandworksafely.YouhavetherightundertheOHSAtobetoldaboutthehazardsintheworkyoudoandtobeinstructedonhowtodoyourworksafely.

Ifsomeoneasksyoutodoworkthatyoudon’tknowenoughabout,youremployerandsupervisorareresponsibleformakingsureyouknowhowtodotheworksafely.That’swhyyouhavetherighttospeakupandaskquestions–evenifyouareshyorunsure.Peoplecangethurtonthejobiftheydon’thavetherightinformationandtraining.

Youshouldneverhavetobeworriedthatyouwillgetintroubleforaskingquestionsorreportingaproblem.It’sagainstthelawforyouremployeroryoursupervisortopunishyouinanywayfordoingwhattheOHSAsaysorforaskingyouremployerorsupervisortodowhattheOHSAexpectsthemtodo.Thisiscalleda“reprisal.”It’sevenagainstthelawforyoursupervisororemployertothreatentopunishorfireyoufordoingthesethings.

Youalsohavearighttorefusetodounsafeworkifyouhavereasontobelieveitputsyouorafellowworkerindanger.Wewilllookatthisrightandyourprotectionfromreprisalsinmoredetaillater.

Preventionstartshere,butitdoesn’tendhere.

9

Step1quizBeforewemoveontoStep2oftheprogram,hereisashortquizonthematerialwehavejustcovered.(Theanswersareinthebackoftheworkbook,butpleasedon’tlookatthemaheadoftime.)

1. ThenumberofpeopleinOntariowhosufferawork‐relatedillnessorinjuryeachyearwouldfilltheseatsofadozenbighockeyarenas.

Yes ❏ No ❏

2. New workers are less likely to get hurt on the job than people who have been on the job longer.

Yes ❏ No ❏

3. The Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations tell everyone from the employer to the newest worker how to make the workplace safer.

Yes ❏ No ❏

4. The OHSA puts the greatest responsibility on the employer to make sure no one gets hurt or sick on the job.

Yes ❏ No ❏

5. It’s against the law for my employer to fire or punish me for doing what the OHSA says.

Yes ❏ No ❏

10

Step2:GetintheKnow

YouneedtoknowabouthazardsSomepeoplesaythatwhatyoudon’tknowcan’thurtyou.That’snottrueatwork.Onsomejobs,whatyoudon’tknowcankillyou.Ahazardisanythingintheworkplacethatcouldhurtyouorthepeopleyouworkwith.

Allofushaveheardaboutaworkerorgroupofworkerswhowerekilledonthejob.Wehaveheardofworkersfallingfromheights,gettingcaughtinequipmentorbeingelectrocutedandburned.Eventslikethesesendashockwavethroughtheworkplaceandthecommunity,anditisatragiclossforthevictim’sfamilyandfriends.Unfortunately,thiskindofeventhappensnotonceortwicebutdozensoftimeseachyearinOntario.

Thereisahazardattherootofeverywork‐relateddeath,injuryorsickness.Ahazardcantakemanyforms.Sometimesmorethanonehazardcancombinetomakeanevenbiggerhazard.Youneedtoknowaboutthehazardsinyourworkplacebeforeyoustartworking.

Thinkaboutthepeopleyouknow.Doyouknowsomeonewhohasbeenhurtorkilledatwork?Whatwasthehazardattherootofit?Howdiditaffectyou?Howdiditaffecttheirfamily?Makesomenotesaboutyourstoryinthespacebelow.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SomecommonworkplacehazardsHerearesomeofthemostcommonhazardsinOntarioworkplaces:

1. Repeatingthesamemovementsoverandover,especiallyifyouareinanawkwardpositionoryouusealotofforce.Thinkofsomeonewhobendsdownallday,orsomeonewholiftsheavythingsoverandoveragain,especiallyabovetheshouldersorbelowtheknees.

2. Slipping,trippingorfalling.Thinkofsomethingassimpleasspilledcoffeeonthefloor,aclutteredworkarea,oraraisedplatformwithnoguardrails.

3. Workingnearmotorizedvehicles.Thinkofbeinghitbyadumptruckthatisbackinguponaconstructionsite…orsomeonegettinghitbyaforklifttruckinawarehouseoronaloadingdock.

11

4. Usingorworkingnearmachinery.Overtheyears,manyworkershavebeenkilledorseriouslyinjuredbytheequipmenttheyoperated.

5. Workplaceviolence.Itcanhappeninmanyworkplacessuchastoagasstationattendantworkingaloneatnight,ortoahealthcareworkerorahomecareworkerinthosesettings.

Canyouthinkofanyothercommonworkplacehazards–especiallyonesinyourownjob?Hereareacoupleofpossibleexamples.Trytolistafewothers.

1. Loudnoise

2. Nolighting

3. _____________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________

Youalsoneedtothinkaboutlessvisiblehazardsrelatedtoyourwork–thingslikechemicals,fumes,andtoxicdust.Orgermsandvirusesinlabsandhealthcareworkplaces.Someofthesehazardscanmakeyouverysick.Sometimestheymakeyousickrightaway;othertimesyoudon’tknowthatyouaresickuntilmonthsorevenyearslater.That’swhyit’simportanttoknowaboutthesehazardsnow.

It’stheemployer’sdutytomakesurethatthesupervisorknowsenoughandhasenoughexperienceandtrainingtokeepworkerssafeandhealthywhiletheywork.

It’stheemployer’sandsupervisor’sdutytoinformworkersofhealthandsafetyhazards.

It’stheworker’sdutytoreporthazardstheyknowoftothesupervisororemployerassoonaspossiblesotheycanfixit.

Employers,supervisorsandworkersworktogethertomaketheworkplacesafer.

12

Here are four important questions about your job that you need to know the answers to. If you don’t know, ask your supervisor:

➔Whatarethehazardsofthisjob?

➔Isthereanyspecialtrainingneededforthisjob?

➔DoIhavetherightprotectiveequipmentforthisjob?

➔IfIhaveanyquestionsaboutsafety,whodoIask?

Canyouthinkofanyotherhealthandsafetyquestionsyoushouldask?Hereareacoupleofexamples.Trytolistafewothers.

➔HowdoIreportaninjury?

➔WhatdoIdoinanemergency?

➔_________________________________________________________

➔_________________________________________________________

➔_________________________________________________________

ProtectingyoufromhazardsTherearemanywaysthatyouremployercanprotectyoufromworkplacehazards.Thebestwayistogetridoforeliminatethehazardcompletely.Agoodexampleisreplacingatoxiccleaningchemicalwithonethatisnon‐toxic.

Ifthehazardcan’tbeeliminated,youremployercantrytoreducethehazard.Thiscanbedonebyreducinghowmuchofthehazardyouareexposedto.Anexampleofthisisturninguptheventilationsysteminafactory,orputtingabarrieraroundadangerouspieceofequipment.Thesearecalled“engineeringcontrols.”

Anotherwaytoreducehazardsistoreducehowlongorhowoftenyoucomeincontactwiththehazard.Thiscanbedonebyarrangingtheworkdifferentlysothatyouarenotexposedaslong.Thesearecalled“administrativeorworkpracticecontrols.”

Ifthehazardstillexistsaftertryingtocontrolitthroughelimination,engineeringcontrolsandadministrativeorworkpracticecontrols,youremployermayrequireyoutouseprotectiveequipmentand/orprotectivedevices.

13

ProtectiveequipmentanddevicesTheOHSAsaysthatoneofyourdutiesasaworkerisalwaystowearorusetheprotectiveequipmentthatyouremployerrequires.

Youmaythinkthatahardhat,safetyglasses,steel‐toedbootsorsomeotherprotectiveclothingorequipmentareuncomfortableorslowyoudown.ButiftheOHSAoryouremployersaysyouhavetowearorusethesethingstodothework,youhaveto.

Someofthemachineryinyourworkplacemayhaveaguard.Theguardprotectsyoufromcomingincontactwithamovingpart.IfyouremployeroroneoftheOHSRegulationssaysthattheguardhastobeused,ithastobeused.TheOHSAsaysthatyoumustneverremoveordisableanyprotectivedevicethatisrequired.Ifthedevicehastocomeoffforanyreason,youshouldnotusetheequipmentwithoutareplacementdevice.Takingshortcutsbyremovingguardsisunsafe–andit’sagainstthelaw.

TheOHSAsaysyouhavetomakesureyoudon’tuseanyequipmentormachineinawaythatcouldhurtyouoranyotherworker.Youalsocan’tactorbehaveinawaythatcouldhurtyouoranyoneelse.Thatmeansnoplayinggames,pranksoractinginotherwaysthatcouldhurtsomeone.

OtherwaystofindoutabouthazardsThereareotherwaysyoucanfindoutabouthazardsinyourworkplace.Youremployermayhavesomeoftheworkplacehealthandsafetyproceduresinwriting.Theseproceduresareabouttheworkyoudoandthemachinesandequipmentyouuse.Youremployerhastomakesurethatyouknowandunderstandthemwhenyoustartwork.Youremployerisalsoresponsibleformakingsuretheproceduresarefollowedbyeveryone.

Thelawsayseveryworkerhastohaveinformationandtrainingaboutchemicalsorhazardousmaterialsintheworkplace.TheWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem(WHMIS)Regulationsaysthatyouneedtoreceiveinformationandinstructiononhowtouse,storeandgetridofhazardousmaterialssafely.Thisinformationisavailableonwarninglabelsandinformationsheets.

Ifyourjobinvolvesusingequipment,youremployerandsupervisormustinstructyouonhowtooperatethatequipmentsafely.Onewaytogetinformationonthesafeuseofmachineryisfromtheoperator’smanual.Ittellsyouabouthazardsandhasinstructionsonhowtousetheequipmentsafely.Youremployershouldmakesureanyonecancheckthemanualiftheyneedinformation.Ifthereisnomanualavailablefortheequipmentyouareusing,youshouldaskyoursupervisorforinformationonhowoperatetheequipmentsafely.

14

Anotherimportantwaythatyoucanlearnabouthazardsisthroughtraining.Sometimesyouremployerwillgiveyouthetrainingatyourworkplace;sometimesyouwillbesentsomewhereelsefortraining.Youremployeralsohastotellyouhowandwheretogetfirstaid,andwhattodoinanemergency.

Inasafeandhealthyworkplace,everyoneknowsabouthazards.Ifyouseeahazardonthejobora“closecall”,reportittoyoursupervisororemployerrightaway.Thatway,someonewhoknowshowtofixitcandealwithitsothatnoonegetshurt.“PreventionStartsHere”wheneveryoneknowsabouthazards.

15

Step2quizHereisaquickquizonthispartoftheprogram.(Theanswersareinthebackoftheworkbook,butpleasedon’tlookatthemaheadoftime)

1. TheOccupationalHealthandSafetyActsaysthatyouhavetherighttoknowabouthazardsinyourworkplace.

Yes❏ No❏

2. Ifahazardcanmakeyousick,youwillalwaysstarttofeelsickrightaway.

Yes❏ No❏

3. Tokeepfromgettinghurtonthejob,youneedtofindoutaboutthehazardswhileyou’reworking.

Yes❏ No❏

4. Ifyouhaveanydoubtsaboutthesafetyoftheworkyou’redoing,youshouldkeepthosedoubtstoyourself.

Yes❏ No❏

5. Ifyouseeahazardwhileyou’reworking,youshouldreportittoyoursupervisororemployerrightaway.

Yes❏ No❏

16

Step3:Getinvolved

WorkingtogetherforsafetyUnderstandingtheOccupationalHealthandSafetyActisallaboutknowingthehealthandsafetydutiesofemployers,supervisorsandthedutiesandrightsofworkers,andputtingthemintoaction.Weallhavetogetinvolved.

Ifanemployerknowsaboutahazardanddoesn'ttrytoeliminateorreduceit,ormakesuretheworkersaretoldaboutitandhowtodealwithit,thatemployerisnotdoingwhatthelawrequires.

Ifasupervisorknowsaboutahazardanddoesn'texplaintotheworkershowtodealwithit,thatsupervisorisnotdoingwhatthelawrequires.

Ifaworkerknowsaboutahazardanddoesn'treportittothesupervisorortheemployer,thatworkerisnotdoingwhatthelawrequires.

Ifyouseeahazardonthejob,youhaveadutytospeakup.Thisincludesreportingequipmentthatisn’tworkingright,andanyotherhazardsthatmaybepresentasaresultofnotfollowingtheOHSAorRegulations.It’simportantthatyoureporttoyoursupervisororemployeranyinjury,incidentorclosecall,sothattheycanpreventthosekindsofthingsfromhappeningagaininthefuture.

TherighttoparticipateinhealthandsafetyTheOHSAgivesyoutherighttoparticipateandgetinvolvedinkeepingyourworkplacesafeandhealthy.Therearemanywaysyoucandothis.Canyouthinkofthree?

1. ________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________

Herearefourgoodwaystogetinvolvedinkeepingyourworkplacesafe,buttherearemanymore:

1. Youcanaskquestionswhenyou’renotsureaboutsomething.

2. Youcanvolunteertobecomeaworkerhealthandsafetyrepresentativeoraworkermemberofthejointhealthandsafetycommittee.

3. Youcanhelpyourhealthandsafetyrepresentativeorjointhealthandsafetycommitteewithhealthandsafetyinspectionsbypointingoutpossiblehazardsinyourworkarea.

17

4. Youcantakeyourhealthandsafetytrainingseriouslyandputwhatyoulearnintopracticeinyourjob.

HealthandsafetyrepresentativesandjointhealthandsafetycommitteesTheOHSAsaysthatworkplaceswith6to19workersneedtohaveahealthandsafetyrepresentativeorajointhealthandsafetycommittee.Inmostlargerworkplaceswith20ormoreworkers,theOHSAsaysajointhealthandsafetycommitteehastobesetup.Committeeshavetohaveatleasttwopeopleonthem;theworkersortheirunion,ifany,pickoneofthemandtheemployerpickstheother.Inworkplaceswherethereare50ormoreworkers,thecommitteemusthaveatleastfourmembers,andatleasthalfofthemembershavetorepresentworkers.

Thecommitteeplaysanimportantroleinhelpingtokeepworkplacessafe.Forexample,amemberofthecommitteewhorepresentsworkersmustregularlyinspecttheworkplace.Informationfromtheseinspectionsisbroughtbacktothecommittee.Thecommitteethenmakesrecommendationstotheemployertoimprovehealthandsafety.Theemployerhastorespondtotheserecommendationswithinashortperiodoftime.Becausethereisanemployerandaworkermemberofthecommittee,everyonehasasayinidentifyingandsolvingproblems.

Insmallerworkplaces,thehealthandsafetyrepresentativehasmanyofthesamerolesasacommittee.Theyhelptoimprovehealthandsafetyatwork.Theydothisbyinspectingtheworkplaceoften.Iftheyfindaproblem,theymakerecommendationstotheemployerabouthowtofixit.

WhattolookforandwhattoaskTheOHSAsaysthatyouremployermustposttheOHSAandotherhealthandsafetyinformationinyourworkplace,suchasanoccupationalhealthandsafetyposter.Lookforthepostednamesofyourhealthandsafetyrepresentativeorjointhealthandsafetycommitteemembers–thesearepeopleyoucantalktoifyouneedhelp.Andifyourworkplacehasmorethan5workers,youremployerhastopostthecompanyhealthandsafetypolicy.

Ifyoucan’tfindanyofthisinformationinyourworkplace,talktoyoursupervisoraboutit.Healthandsafetyisanimportantpartofhisorherjob.Youcanalsotalktothepeopleyouworkwithandbenefitfromeachother’sexperience.

Alwaysbeonthelookoutforhazardstoyourselforothers.Beforeyoustartyourworkday,askyourselfquestionslike:

➔Isanyofthemachinerybroken?

➔Aretherewarninglabelsorsigns?

18

➔IsthereanymovingequipmentIcouldgetcaughtin?

➔IstheresomethingIcouldsliportripon?

➔DoIneedprotectiveequipment?

➔DoIknowhowtodothisjobsafely?

Canyouthinkofanyotherquestionstoaskyourself?Hereareacoupleofexamples.Trytolistafewmore.

➔IsthereanotherworkernearbywhocouldgethurtbywhatI’mdoing?

➔IsthistaskmorethanIcanphysicallyhandle?

➔_____________________________________________________________

➔_____________________________________________________________

➔_____________________________________________________________

Thesearegoodquestionsforeveryoneintheworkplacetoask.Preventionstartshere,bypayingattentiontodetailsandbyfollowingtheOHSAandtheworkplacehealthandsafetyprocedures.

BeasafetyrolemodelMostworkersshouldbeabletolooktotheirsupervisorsasgoodhealthandsafetyrolemodels.Butothersmayalsobelookingtoyouasarolemodelforgoodhealthandsafetypractices.Howyouwork,andthewayyouthinkandtalkaboutthework,canaffectthesafetyofthepeopleyouworkwith.Themessageyouwantotherstogetfromyouis:“Preventionstartshere.”

19

Step3quizHereisaquickquizonthispartoftheprogram.(Theanswersareinthebackoftheworkbook,butpleasedon’tlookatthemaheadoftime.)

1. It’simportantthatyouknowthesafewaytodoyourjob.Youshouldsharewhatyouknow.Ifyouseeahazard,youmustreportittoyoursupervisororemployer.

Yes❏ No❏

2. Youshouldgetinvolvedinhealthandsafetybyaskingquestions,andyoushouldputwhatyoulearnfromtrainingintopracticeonthejob.

Yes❏ No❏

3. Ifyoucan’tfindanyhealthandsafetyinformationpostedinyourworkplace,youshouldjustgobacktoworkandnotworryaboutit.

Yes❏ No❏

4. Yourhealthandsafetyrepresentativeorjointhealthandsafetycommitteecanhelpyouwithanyconcernsthatyoumighthaveaboutworkingsafely.

Yes❏ No❏

5. It’sOKtotakesafetyshortcutstogettheworkdonefasterandontime.

Yes❏ No❏

20

Step4:GetMoreHelp

YouarenotaloneIt’sasadfactthatinsomeworkplaces,nobodypaysmuchattentiontosafety.Inthoseworkplaces,it’sallaboutdoingtheworkasquicklyaspossible.Ifsomeonequestionsthewaythingsarebeingdone,theymaygetadirtylookbutnothingisdonetomakethingssafer.Peopleinworkplaceslikethatareoftenafraidtodoanythingaboutitbecausetheydon’twanttogetfired.Sotheykeepquiet.

Maybeyoufeltthatwayonapastjob.That’swhyit’simportanttoknowthatyouarenotalone.Helpisalwaysavailablefromoutsidetheworkplace.

Ifyouseesomethingunsafethatcouldhurtsomeone,youneedtoreportittoyoursupervisororyouremployer.It’salsoagoodideatotellyourhealthandsafetyrepresentativeorcommitteeifthereisone.Butiftheemployerorsupervisordoesn’tfixtheproblem,youcancalltheMinistryofLabour.TheMinistry’sjobistohelppreventworkplaceinjuriesandillnessesthroughenforcingtheOHSA.Theywanttoknowifthereareproblemsthataren’tbeingfixed.

MinistryofLabourinspectorscan’tbeinallworkplacesatalltimes.ButtheMinistrywantstohearifthere’saproblemonthejobthatisn’tfixedanywhereinOntario.Soithasatoll‐freenumberthatyoucancall.CallingthatnumberconnectsyoutotheHealthandSafetyContactCentrethattakescalls24hoursaday,sevendaysaweek.Ifyoudon’twanttogiveyournamewhenyoucalltheHealthandSafetyContactCentre,youdon’thaveto.Hereisthenumber:

1‐877‐202‐0008

Rememberwementionedreprisalsbefore?It’sagainstthelawforyouremployeroryoursupervisortofireorpunishyoufordoingwhattheOHSAexpectsyoutodo,orbecauseyouaskedthemtodowhattheOHSAexpectsthemtodo.It’sevenagainstthelawforyouremployerorsupervisortothreatentofireorpunishyouforthesethings.TheOHSAisveryclearonthis.

Ifyoufeelthatyouremployeristakingactionagainstyouforraisingahealthandsafetyconcern,youcandiscussitwithaunionofficialifyouareamemberofaunion,orbringacomplainttotheOntarioLabourRelationsBoard.Ifyou’renotsurewhattodo,youcancalltheMinistry’stoll‐freenumberforinformation.TheOfficeoftheWorkerAdviseralsoprovidesfreeadviceandrepresentationtonon‐unionizedworkerswhoareinthissituation.Youcancalltheirtoll‐freenumberforhelp:1‐855‐659‐7744.

21

TherighttorefuseunsafeworkIfyouhavereasontobelievethattheworkyouaredoingortheequipmentyouareusingmighthurtyouorsomeoneyouworkwith,youcanrefusetodothatwork.Thismeansthatyoutellyouremployerorsupervisor(andyourhealthandsafetyrepresentativeorcommittee)thatyouthinkyouareindangerandyouarenotgoingtodothework.Youneedtotellthemwhy.

Allworkershavetherighttorefuseworkiftheyhavereasontobelieveit’sdangerous.It’simportanttoknowthatyoucanalsorefuseworkifyouhavereasontobelievethattheareawhereyouareworkingislikelytoendangeryouoranyotherworker,orthatyouareindangerfromworkplaceviolence.

Youmustreportthesituationtoyoursupervisororemployer,andshouldalsocontactyourhealthandsafetyrepresentativeorcommittee.Mostofthetime,yoursupervisororemployerandyoursafetyrepresentativeorcommitteememberwillbeabletosolvetheproblem.Iftheproblemisn’tfixedoryoustillhavereasontobelievetheworkisunsafe,youcancontinuetorefusethework.AMinistryofLabourinspectorwillthenbecalledintoinvestigate.

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.

MoreinformationandresourcesOntariohasahealthandsafety“system”whichincludesthefollowingpartners:

MinistryofLabourDevelops,communicatesandenforcesoccupationalhealthandsafetyrequirementsandemploymentstandards.Develops,coordinatesandimplementsstrategiestopreventworkplaceinjuriesandillnessesandcansetstandardsforhealthandsafetytraining.1‐877‐202‐0008http://www.labour.gov.on.ca

WorkersHealth&SafetyCentreAnoccupationalhealthandsafetytrainingcentreforworkers,representativesandemployers.1‐888‐869‐7950http://www.whsc.on.ca

OccupationalHealthClinicsforOntarioWorkersSixmedicalclinicslocatedacrossOntariothatprovideoccupationalhealthservicesandinformation.1‐877‐817‐0336http://www.ohcow.on.ca

 

  22  

Health  &  Safety  Ontario    Four  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  

• 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.    

Another  place  you  can  go  for  information  is  the  Canadian  Centre  for  Occupational  Health  and  Safety.    They  have  information  and  fact  sheets  on  their  website.  If  you  are  having  trouble  finding  information,  you  can  ask  questions  by  telephone  at  1-­‐800-­‐668-­‐4284  or  through  their  website  at  www.ccohs.ca  .    

“Prevention  Starts  Here,”  but  it  doesn’t  end  here.    

To help you understand how Ontario’s workplace health and safety system works together to help create healthier and safer workplaces, try to match the following list of organizations to their purpose. (The answers are in the back of the workbook, but please don’t look at them ahead of time)

ORGANIZATION   PURPOSE  

A.  Ministry  of  Labour   __  Health  and  safety  training  

B.  Health  and  Safety  Ontario   __  Enforces  the  OHSA  

C.  Workplace  Safety  and  Insurance  Board   __  Medical  clinics  for  injured  or  sick  workers  

D.  Workers  Health  and  Safety  Centre   __  Insurance  benefits  for  injured  or  sick  workers  

E.  Occupational  Health  Clinics  for  Ontario   B.Workers  

 Occupational  health  and  safety  consulting,  training,  products  and  services  

23

Step4quizHere’saquizontheinformationwe’vecoveredinStep4.(Theanswersareinthebackoftheworkbook,butpleasedon’tlookatthemaheadoftime)

1. Ifyoureportadangeroussituationtoyoursupervisorandyourhealthandsafetyrepresentativeandtheycan’tfindawaytofixit,youcancalltheMinistryofLabour’stoll‐freenumberforhelp.

Yes❏ No❏

2. Ifyouhavereasontobelievetheequipmentyouareusingmighthurtyouorsomeoneyouworkwith,youhavethelegalrighttorefusethework.

Yes❏ No❏

3. Someworkers,suchasnurses,firefightersandpoliceofficers,havealimitedrighttorefusework.

Yes❏ No❏

4. It’sagainstthelawforyouremployeroryoursupervisortofireorpunishyoufordoingwhattheOHSAexpectsyoutodo,orforaskingthemtodowhattheOHSAexpectsthemtodo.

Yes❏ No❏

24

What’snext?Nowthatyouhavecompletedthisgeneralawarenessprogram,youarereadytobegivenmorespecificinformationandinstructionbyyouremployerandsupervisorasrequiredbytheOHSA.Youshouldhearabout:

✓Specifichazardsinyourworkplace

✓Theproceduretofollowwhenreportinghealthandsafetyconcerns,incidentsorinjuries

✓Anyprotectiveequipmentyouarerequiredtowearoruse

✓Wherethecompany’shealthandsafetypolicyisposted(inworkplaceswithmorethan5workers)

✓Wherethefirstaidstationisandthenamesofqualifiedfirstaidproviders

✓Thecompany’semergencyplan

✓Informationonhazardousmaterialsinyourworkplace

✓Theworkplaceviolenceandharassmentpreventionpolicy

✓WhereacopyoftheOHSAisposted

✓Wherethenamesofyourjointhealthandsafetycommitteemembersareposted

Wehopethisprogramhasbeenusefulandthatyou’llusetheinformationinyourday‐to‐daywork.Knowingyourhealthandsafetyrightsandduties,andthedutiesofyoursupervisorandemployer,isanimportantfirststepinstayingsafeonthejob.

Rememberthatwhenitcomestoyourhealthandsafety,thereisnosuchthingasasillyquestion.Thatquestioncouldsaveyourlife–soaskit.

25

AnswerstoQuizQuestions

Step1Quiz1. Yes

2. No–newworkersareactuallythemostlikelytogethurt.

3. Yes

4. Yes

5. Yes

Step2Quiz1. Yes–theActsaysit’sthedutyofyouremployerandyoursupervisor

totellyouabouthazardsinyourworkplace.

2. No–somehazardsmightmakeyousickrightaway,butotherhazardsmightnotmakeyousickuntilmonthsorevenyearslater.

3. No–youneedtoknowaboutallthehazardsbeforeyoustartworking.

4. No–youneedtotalktoyoursupervisororyouremployeraboutit.

5. Yes

Step3Quiz1. Yes

2. Yes

3. No‐youshouldaskyoursupervisorwheretheinformationisposted.

4. Yes

5. No–allworkersshouldsetagoodexampleandfollowthelawandworkplaceprocedures.

26

Step4Quiz1. Yes

2. Yes

3. Yes

4. Yes

 

  27  

Ontario’s  Health  and  Safety  System  

ORGANIZATION   PURPOSE  

A.  Ministry  of  Labour   D.

 

 Health  and  safety  training  

B.  Health  and  Safety  Ontario   A.

 

 Enforces  the  OHSA  

C.  Workplace  Safety  and  Insurance  Board   E.

 

 Medical  clinics  for  injured  or  sick  workers  

D.  Workers  Health  and  Safety  Centre   C.

 

 Insurance  benefits  for  injured  or  sick  workers  

E.  Occupational  Health  Clinics  for  Ontario   B.Workers  

 Occupational  health  and  safety  consulting,  training,  products  and  services  

 

     

Call the Ministry of Labour at 1-877-202- 0008Report critical injuries, fatalities, work refusals anytime.

Workplace health and safety information, weekdays 8:30am – 5:00pm.

Emergency? Always call 911 immediately.

Find out more: www.ontario.ca/healthandsafetyatwork

© Queen’s Printer of OntarioMinistry of LabourISBN 978-1-4606-0075-7 (Print)ISBN 978-1-4606-0076-4 (HTML)ISBN 978-1-4606-0077-1 (PDF - colour)ISBN 978-1-4606-0091-7 (PDF - simple)December 2012