Occupation Health & Safety Act

Skill Trades 1201 Power and Energy

Occupation Health & Safety Act

A statute (law) that ensures occupational health and safety. These include the various occupational health and safety acts and regulations and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulations.

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Its purpose is to protect workers against health and safety hazards on the job.

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Ergonomics A science that seeks to adapt work or working conditions to suit the worker.

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By implementing Ergonomics into the elements of an OH&S program the number of soft tissue injuries can be prevented.

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The OHSA is based on an Internal Responsibility System (IRS) - A concept based on the principle that the workplace parties themselves are in the best position to identify health and safety problems.

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There are several provisions in the OHSA aimed at fostering the IRS. These include but are not limited to: Responsibilities and duties of employers, supervisors and workers. The requirement for employers that regularly employ more than five employees to have a health and safety policy and program.

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The requirements concerning worker health and safety representatives and joint health and safety committees. The three basic rights of all workers--The Right to Participate; The Right to Know; The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work.

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Three basic rights of all workers:

1. The right to know about what hazards there are in the workplace and what precautions must be taken to prevent injuries from these hazards.

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2. The right to participate in safety and health activities in the workplace without fear of any form of discriminatory action such as discipline.

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3. The right to refuse work that one reasonably believes can be dangerous to oneself or others.

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Employers Responsibilities:

Ensure the health, safety and welfare of their workers.

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Employers Responsibilities:

Provide and maintain safe equipment, systems and tools.

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Employers Responsibilities:

Provide information, instruction, training and supervision and facilities.

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Employers Responsibilities:

Ensure that workers, and particularly supervisors, are familiar with all hazards.

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Employers Responsibilities:

Consult and co-operate with the occupational health and safety committee.

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Employers Responsibilities:

Conduct his or her business so non-employees are not exposed to health or safety hazards.

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Employers Responsibilities:

Ensure that workers are given operating instruction for the devices and equipment provided for their protection.

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Workers Responsibilities:

Take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety and that of workers.

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Workers Responsibilities:

Consult and co-operate with the occupational health and safety committee.

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Workers Responsibilities:

Report unsafe conditions in the workplace.

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Workers Responsibilities:

Properly use all safety clothing, equipment and devices that are provided.

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OH&S Officers (The Enforcer and Judge):

They administer the OHSA and the regulations. They can act as inspectors to ensure that the Act and its regulations are being followed by employers, supervisors, and workers.

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OH&S Officers Responsibilities:

Enter and inspect a workplace, without notification.

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OH&S Officers Responsibilities:

Require the production of records, books, plans or other documents that relate to safety.

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OH&S Officers Responsibilities:

Conduct test, inspect and take samples of anything being produced or used in the workplace.

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OH&S Officers Responsibilities:

Conduct investigations to determine the cause of an accident.

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OH&S Officers Responsibilities:

Immediately stop all or a portion of the work if there is an immediate health or safety risk.

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OH&S Officers Responsibilities:

Order the employer to take the remedial measures necessary to ensure that the work can be conducted without further risk.

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Committee:

Where 10 or more workers are employed at a workplace, the employer shall establish an OH&S committee to monitor the workplace.

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Committee:

Where less than 10 workers are employed at a workplace, a Worker Health and Safety representative is required.

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Committee:

Committees or a representative are elected by the workers or appointed by the union.

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The Right to Refuse:

A worker may refuse to do work that the worker has reasonable grounds to believe is dangerous to his or her health or safety, or the health and safety of another person at the workplace:

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Until remedial action has been taken by the employer to the worker's satisfaction; Until the committee has advised the worker to return to work; or Until an officer has advised the worker to return to work.

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The Right to Refuse:

Where a worker refuses to do work, the employer may reassign the worker to other equivalent work.

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The Right to Refuse:

Where a worker is reassigned to other work, the employer shall pay the worker the same wages as their normal work.

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The Right to Refuse:

Where a worker has refused to work and has not been reassigned to other work, the employer shall pay the worker the same wages the worker would have normally received.

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The Right to Refuse:

A reassignment of work is not a discriminatory action. A worker shall not take advantage of his or her right to refuse to work without reasonable grounds.

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Accidents:

Where an accident takes place at a workplace the worker must: Report the injury to the employer immediately. Visit a doctor as soon as possible.

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Complete Form 6 (Workers Report of Injury) and submit it to the Workers Health and Safety Compensation Commission (WHSCC) within 3 days of the accident.

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Accidents:

Where an accident takes place at a workplace the employer must: Complete Form 7 (Employers Report of Injury) and submit it to the WHSCC within 3 days of the accident.

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Offer modified work or ease back to work during the recovery period of the worker. Make changes to prevent further injury.