1. Health and Safety Awareness Training for Workers
Human Resources Advisory Services

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Due Diligence
The 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. The Competent Supervisor
Employers have an obligation to appoint competent supervisors
To be competent under the OHSA, supervisors must:
Have knowledge, training and experience to organize work for the workers
Be familiar with the OHSA and the regulations that apply to the workplace being supervised
Have knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace

12. 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

13. 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

14. Worker Rights The OHSA gives workers three important rights:
The right to know about workplace hazards and what to do about them
The right to participate in solving workplace health and safety problems
The right to refuse work they believe is unsafe

15. No Reprisals
The 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.

16. Review
Which of the following groups of workers are the most likely to get hurt on the job?
Young workers
Workers in a new position
New workers
All of the above

17. Review
A supervisor has the greatest responsibility for health and safety in the workplace
True
False
The Employer has the greatest responsibility because they have the most authority in the workplace.

18. 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.
True
False

19. Review
Which of the following is NOT an example of how Employer’s support the worker’s right to participate in health and safety?
Encouraging them to speak up and listening to their concerns.
Encouraging short-cuts to improve productivity.
Doing what’s necessary to control the hazards that they identify.
Acknowledging their efforts to make the workplace safer and healthier.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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)

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. Review Common hazards in the workplace include: Noise
Lighting or lack there of
Electricity and other energy sources
Confined spaces
Sharp objects or equipment
All of the above

29. Review
If a hazard can make you feel sick, you will always start to feel sick right away
True
False
Exposure to hazards do not always result in illness immediately. Illness can occur hours, days, weeks or even years after the initial exposure.

30. Review Methods to protect workers from hazards include:
Replacing toxic chemicals for non-toxic varieties
Installing guards on machines
Increasing ventilation
Wearing safety glasses, hard hats and steel-toed shoes
All of the above

31. Review The various ways to protect you from hazards include:
Eliminating the hazard
Reducing the hazard through engineering controls
Reducing exposure to the hazard through administrative/work practice controls
All of the above

32. 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.

33. 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

34. The Right To Participate
The OHSA gives workers the right to participate and get involved in keeping the workplace safe

35. 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

36. 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.
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.

37. 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.

38. 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

39. 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.

40. 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

41. Review If you see a hazard on the job, you have a duty to speak up
True
False

42. Review
Employers with 5 or more workers must post a company health and safety policy
True
False

43. Review
JHS 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.
True
False

44. 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

45. The MOL wants to hear if there is a problem that is not getting fixed
You can call 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

46. 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.

47. 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.

48. Ministry of Labour Office of the Worker Advisor

49. 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.

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. Work Refusal Process

53. 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

54. More Information and Resources
Ontario has a health and safety “system” made up of a number of partners.

55. Ministry of Labour 1‐877‐202‐0008 http://www.labour.gov.on.ca
Develops, 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

56. Worker’s Health & Safety Centre
An occupational health and safety training centre for workers, representatives and employers. 1‐888‐869‐7950

57. Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers
Six medical clinics located across Ontario that provide occupational health services and information. 1‐877‐817‐0336

58. Health & Safety Ontario
Four health and safety associations that provide sector specific consulting, training, products and services. • Infrastructure Health and Safety Association – serves electrical, construction and transportation sectors ‐263‐5024 • Public Services Health and Safety Association – serves health, education and municipal sectors

59. Health & Safety Ontario
• Workplace Safety North – serves mining, pulp and paper and forestry sectors. 1‐
• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services – serves industrial, farming and service sectors.
The system is there to serve everyone in the workplace – employers, supervisors and workers.

60. 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

61. Review
The job of the MOL is to help prevent injuries/illnesses through enforcement of the OHSA.
True
False

62. Review
If your report a hazard to your supervisor and/or employer and it does not get addressed, you can contact the Ministry of Labour.
True
False

63. Review
Ontario has a health and safety “system” made up of a number of partners.
True
False

64. Review Health and Safety Partners include: Ministry of Labour
Workers Health & Safety Centre
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers
Health & Safety Ontario
All of the Above

65. 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

66. 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