Keeping Safe At Work
Today, April 28, is a National Day of Mourning across the country for workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness as a result of work related incidents.
For many of us, we spend the majority of our time at work. Five out of seven days a week are spent working. That’s a lot of time and it’s important that we stay safe at work.
Each province has its own health and safety legislation. In Ontario, its called the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
As workers, you should know your rights and duties under OHSA.
Your Rights as a Worker
- Right to participate in identifying and resolving health and safety concerns. OHSA requires a Joint Health and Safety Committee or representatives depending on the number of employees.
- Right to know about hazards. For example, under OHSA, the employer is required to properly identify and provide information about toxic substances.
- Right to refuse work that you believe is dangerous.
- Right to be free from workplace harassment. If you feel that you are being harassed then you can file a complaint under the employer’s workplace harassment policy. Most employers are required by law to have a written complaint process.
Your Duties as a Worker
As per section 28. (1), you should:
- Work in compliance with the provisions OHSA and its regulations;
- Use and wear equipment, protective devices or clothing that the employer requires to be used or worn
- Report to your employer or supervisor the absence of or defect un any equipment or protective device which you are aware and which may endanger you or another worker
- Report to your employer or supervisor any contravention of OHSA or its regulations or the existence of any hazard which you know of
If you are a supervisor in the workplace, you have additional duties and responsibilities and could be held personally liable for not complying with these duties. For more information, see our blog about supervisors and OHSA.
If you are concerned about health and safety at your workplace, or if you have any questions about your rights and duties under OHSA, one of our lawyers would be happy to talk to you. Please contact us at 647-204-8107 or by email at [email protected].
The material and information in this blog and this website are for general information only. They should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. The authors make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of any information referred to in this blog or its links. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found on this website or blog. Readers should obtain appropriate professional advice from a lawyer duly licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. These materials do not create a lawyer-client relationship between you and any of the authors or the MacLeod Law Firm.
Recent Posts
Laid Off and No Recall in Sight?
The Employment Standards Act the (“ESA”) contains a provision which allows for temporary lay-off. Pre Covid-19, the ESA told employers that they could lay off an employee for 13 out of 20 weeks, or 35 out of 52 weeks if the employer continues the employee’s benefits, for example.
Another Way to Get More Severance From Your Employer
As we have written before, termination clauses may have a significant effect on how much money you receive if you are terminated. If you are fired because of a business decision and not misconduct, it is the without cause termination clause that determines how much...
Paid Sick Leave? Sort of
With the numbers of COVID-19 cases rising again, especially in the GTA, many employees are asking me as a Toronto employment lawyer what happens if they become sick and they are forced to stay home for 14 days. Following the end of the Canada Emergency Response...