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.