While health and safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility, some roles have legal responsibilities attached to them. Below is a summary of these roles and their responsibilities.
Employer: It is your responsibility to establish and maintain an effective OHS program. By doing the following, you will meet your regulatory responsibilities:
- Designate an OHS Representative (under 20 employees) or establish a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (over 20 employees).
- Provide workers with the information and training necessary to safely complete their work tasks.
- If you hire contractors, they must be informed of your OHS program, and actively participate in it. Note: Contractors may have their own health and safety procedures that they must also follow (heavy equipment operators, for example).
- Provide a minimum of 30 days notice to the WSCC of any high hazard work.
- Immediately notify the WSCC if there is a significant accident at your workplace.
Supervisor: Supervisors must be aware of and communicate all hazards and how to control them to workers, and ensure workers are trained on safe work procedures. More specifically, supervisors must:
- Complete the Supervisor OHS Familiarization course, which is required training. Find WSCC-approved courses and providers on our website.
- Ensure the health and safety of all workers that are under your direct supervision by:
- Collaborating with workers to identify hazards and the appropriate controls for them.
- Supplying workers with the correct PPE to safely do their job.
- Ensuring workers know their rights and are encouraged to exercise them:
- The right to know about workplace hazards and how to handle them.
- The right to participate in health and safety processes and solutions at work.
- The right to refuse unsafe work believed to be dangerous to themselves or co-workers without fear of punishment.
- Investigate unsafe work refusals, and any reports of unsafe conditions – take immediate corrective action.
Worker: Workers play a vital role in workplace safety. They're often the first to notice hazards and may have practical ideas to control them. Workers must:
- Work with supervisors to identify hazards and the appropriate controls for them.
- Know and follow all safety rules and work procedures, including wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Immediately report any incidents or new hazards to their supervisor. If it is safe to do so, correct the new hazard.
- If an injury happens, seek medical attention, and report the injury to both your employer and to the WSCC.
Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC): The WSCC provides health and safety information to employers, workers, and the public, and works directly with employers to improve their health and safety programs.
WSCC Safety Officers conduct worksite inspections to make sure employers are following the health and safety standards set by the Safety Acts, including having an up-to-date Safety Program. Safety Officers may issue directions to correct an unsafe situation, or a stop work order if there is immediate danger. They respond to concerns about unsafe workplaces and investigate serious work-related incidents.
If a workplace injury or illness occurs, the WSCC assists workers through the claims process, including helping to book medical appointments for the injured worker. The WSCC also helps health care providers and employers with their roles in the claims and Return to Work process.