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What are my health and safety rights?
You have the right to stay healthy and safe at work.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) protects these rights.
The main goal of the OHSA is to keep workers safe from dangers at work. This is done by:
- Explaining what everyone at work should do and what rights workers have to make sure the workplace is safe.
- Creating rules and steps to deal with dangers at work.
- Ensuring people follow the rules and know what to do if they don't.
There are three important parts of health and safety:
- The right to know about potential workplace hazards.
- The right to participate. You have the right to make suggestions about health and safety.
- The right to refuse. You can say no to work that is not safe.
If your work is covered under this Act, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development now requires that you get basic health and safety awareness training from your employer as part of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS). This is a way for everyone in your workplace, including workers and employers, to share the responsibility of keeping your workplace safe.
What are my rights as a worker?
The Employment Standards Act (ESA) is a law in Ontario that protects workers' rights and tells employers how to treat workers fairly.
You have the right to:
- Know about dangerous materials or equipment used in your work. Your employer has to give you this information.
- Say no to work that is not safe. You do not have to do dangerous work until it is safe. You must tell your boss right away. You cannot be suspended, fired, or not get paid for saying no to work that is not safe.
What are my responsibilities as a worker?
Along with your rights as a worker, you have a responsibility to help keep your workplace safe for others. You have the responsibility to:
- Work safely. Don't take risks. You might hurt yourself or another worker.
- Tell your boss immediately about anything you see that looks unsafe, even if it hasn’t caused an accident yet.
- Wear appropriate safety equipment for your job.
- Talk to your Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) representatives. The JHSC needs to know your concerns about health and safety. That will allow them to help fix the problems before anyone gets hurt.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) information service lists some of the potential dangers in your workplace:
- Biological hazards (AIDS, common cold, hepatitis)
- Chemicals and materials (compressed gases, corrosive materials, organic peroxides)
- Diseases, disorders and injuries (farmer's lung, latex allergy, tennis elbow)
- Ergonomics - Human factors (lifting, computer mouse, back belts)
- Physical agents (noise, radiation, lasers)
- Psychological issues (violence in the workplace)
- Safety (forklifts, ladders, powered hand tools)
- Work schedules (rotational shift work, long work day)
You can contact CCOHS through its Safety Infoline contact form to report a workplace health and safety incident, critical injury, fatality, or work refusal. You can also call that number for general inquiries.
What is a Joint Health and Safety Committee?
A Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is a group of employees and managers that work to raise awareness of health and safety issues in your workplace, they recognize and identify workplace risks and make suggestions for your employer to handle these risks.
The JHSC has certain legal requirements that support workplace health and safety. They do this by:
- Attending and maintaining certification training.
- Inspecting your workplace every month.
- Holding regular meetings.
- Helping to report and investigate accidents and injuries.
- Making suggestions to your employer to improve safety.
What if I get hurt at work?
If you get hurt at work or become ill because of your job, you must:
- Get medical attention. This might be first aid, going to your doctor or emergency department. It is your employer's job to get you somewhere where you can get medical help.
- Document what happened. Tell your employer and your JHSC representative as soon as possible. They will need to get details and ensure others are not at risk.
- Report to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). You must report your injury or illness to WSIB if you need treatment from a health professional after receiving first aid; or if you can't work or have to work fewer hours because of the injury.
For More Information
- When can I file a claim with the Ministry of Labour? - If you believe that your employer violated your rights and you do not work for a union, you can file a claim with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- WSIB Ontario - Information for workers and employers and resources on how to create a safe workplace.
- Posters required in the workplace - To make sure workers know their rights, most workplaces in Ontario must post posters and other information. From the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- Office of the Worker Adviser - Fact sheets about workplace insurance, workers' compensation, benefits, and how to file claims.
- The Workers Health & Safety Centre - Resources to help workers see hazards and find answers to workplace health and safety concerns.
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) - The workplace hazard communication standard in Canada.
- Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps - Mandatory training on health and safety rights and responsibilities for workers in certain workplaces. This training is available in English or French online or with a workbook. From the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
- Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness in 5 Steps - Mandatory training on health and safety rights and responsibilities for supervisors. This training is available in English or French online or with a workbook. From the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
Last updated:
October 7, 2024
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