Simple safety solutions duties and responsibilities
in Ontario
Workplace health and safety is regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act
Commonly referred to as the OHS a or the Act
Some people even call it the green book
under the Act
Maintaining a healthy and safe workplace is a shared responsibility
Among the employer supervisor and the workers themselves
This concept is known as the internal
Responsibility system or IRS, and it's the underlying principle of the Act
It means that we all work together to identify and control hazards and prevent injuries
the employer may be the owner or the person everyone knows as the boss a
supervisor would include a person who has either charge of a workplace or
Authority over a worker and a worker is generally any person who gets paid to perform work or supply
services
But there's an exception
Co-op students interns and apprentices are also considered workers
under the Act each workplace party has very specific duties and responsibilities
The employer is ultimately responsible for establishing the health and safety program
This includes determining the rules for working safely
training workers on the rules and procedures for working safely
Providing the right tools and equipment and ensuring they are maintained
Managing hazards to eliminate or reduce the risk of injuries and illness
Appointing a competent person as a supervisor and take every precaution
reasonable in
General a supervisor is responsible for training workers on how to do their job safely
Enforcing rules including the use of safety equipment and machine guarding and take every precaution
reasonable and
workers have responsibilities to
some of these duties include following Safe Work procedures and rules
using the safety equipment properly and
reporting hazards and injuries to their supervisors this communication helps ensure that
supervisors can respond quickly to potential hazards
Workers also support the internal responsibility system by understanding their three rights
The right to know about the potential hazards of their job
The right to participate in workplace health and safety and the right to refuse
Unsafe work believed to be dangerous to their own health and safety or to that of a co-worker
It's important to remember that a worker cannot be threatened or punished for following the laws.
This includes reporting a hazard
refusing unsafe work or for cooperating with the Ministry of Labour during inspections or investigations.
A dysfunctional internal responsibility system can cost your business, and it's not just about losing a productive employee
workplace injuries and illnesses can result in higher WSIB insurance costs
Not to mention Ministry of Labour work orders tickets and fines that result from
non-compliance with the OHSA
A Conviction can also lead to a jail sentence for the employer supervisor or worker.
No one wants to pay fines or unplanned legal fees.
But more importantly no one wants to be responsible for the injury or death of a co-worker.
So what can you do to support your internal responsibility system?
Start by understanding the specific duties and responsibilities for your workplace.
It may help to put them in writing
then communicate this information to everyone who needs to know and
finally talk with your workers
ask questions, so you know everyone understands the important role they play in maintaining a safe and healthy workplace
For tools and resources to support your health and safety program visit the WSPS small business center at
WSPS.CA