Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or employee, understanding and adhering to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) is crucial for maintaining a safe work environment. In this article, we explore what the OHSA is, who it applies to, and its general requirements, with six practical tips to help you stay compliant.
What is the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario?
The Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario is a law that governs workplace health and safety, with a goal of protecting employees from workplace hazards. The OHSA outlines the rights and responsibilities of all parties, including employers, supervisors, workers, owners, contractors, and subcontractors. It also establishes the measures and procedures for addressing workplace hazards. The OHSA is enforced by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, which conducts inspections, investigates complaints, and ensures compliance with the OHSA and its regulations.
Who does the OHSA apply to?
The OHSA applies to most workplaces in Ontario, including factories, offices, construction sites, and healthcare facilities. The OHSA applies to all types of workers: full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal employees. However, it’s important to note that specific obligations within the OHSA may apply differently depending on the industry. For example, the construction sector has its own set of regulations due to the unique hazards and risks associated with that industry.
General requirements of the OHSA
To stay compliant with the OHSA, employers and everyone involved in the workplace must understand and fulfil their health and safety responsibilities. Here are some of the general requirements under the OHSA:
- Duties of employers: Employers must take all reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of workers. This includes providing information on hazards present in the workplace, instruction and training on how to safely perform their job duties, and supervision to workers to ensure their safety and compliance with the OHSA.
- Duties of supervisors: Supervisors must ensure that workers comply with the OHSA and use any equipment, protective devices, or clothing required by the employer.
- Duties of workers: Workers must work safely and in compliance with the OHSA and its regulations, report any hazards to their supervisor or employer, and follow the health and safety procedures set by their employer.
- Joint health and safety committees (JHSCs) or representatives: Workplaces with 20 or more workers must establish a joint health and safety committee made up of employer and worker representatives. Workplaces with more than five but fewer than 20 workers must have one health and safety representative selected by the workers they represent. This committee or representative is responsible for identifying potential health and safety issues and bringing them to the employer’s attention.
Six tips for achieving compliance with OHSA
Staying compliant with the OHSA requires a proactive approach to health and safety management. Below are six tips to help you meet your obligations under the OHSA and ensure a safe workplace for all.
1. Understand your legal obligations
The first step towards compliance is understanding your legal duties under the OHSA. As mentioned earlier, employers, supervisors, and workers all have specific roles and responsibilities they must clearly understand and follow. Employers should familiarize themselves with the OHSA, including any additional requirements that apply to their industry.
2. Conduct a workplace hazard assessment
Identifying potential hazards in the workplace is crucial for preventing accidents and injuries. Conduct a thorough workplace hazard assessment to identify areas where workers may be at risk of illness or injury. This involves inspecting the workplace for physical hazards, such as machinery or chemical exposure, as well as ergonomic and psychosocial risks. Once hazards are identified, employers should determine the likelihood and severity of the harm to persons in the workplace through a risk assessment, then implement control measures to eliminate or reduce them.
3. Establish an occupational health and safety policy
Every employer must establish a written occupational health and safety policy. This policy should clearly outline the company’s commitment to health and safety, the roles and responsibilities of everyone in the organization, and how safety is maintained. The policy must be reviewed annually and communicated to all employees to ensure they understand their role in maintaining a safe workplace.
If you need help with creating a health and safety policy for your company, get in touch with our team.
4. Offer employee training
Training is a key component of workplace safety and compliance with the OHSA. Employers must ensure that all workers receive basic awareness training, including their rights under the OHSA, common workplace hazards, occupational illness and latency, and the duties of workplace parties. Additional training specific to the industry and organization is equally important. Training should be ongoing and updated regularly, especially when the company introduces new equipment or processes. There are dozens of online training courses available from our easy-to-use health and safety management system: book a demo today!
5. Perform regular inspections
Regular workplace inspections are essential for ongoing compliance with the OHSA. Inspections help identify any new hazards that may have arisen and ensure that existing safety measures are being properly implemented. It’s important to involve workers in these inspections, as they are often the first to notice hazards. Any issues identified during inspections should be addressed immediately to prevent accidents or injuries.
6. Keep a record
Finally, keeping detailed records is not only a good practice, but also a legal requirement under the OHSA. Employers must maintain records of all training provided, workplace inspections conducted, and any accidents or injuries that occur. These records serve as evidence that the employer is meeting their legal obligations and can be crucial in the event of an inspection or investigation by the ministry. Additionally, records help to identify trends and areas for improvement in your health and safety program.
Stay Compliant with Citation Canada
Staying compliant with the OHSA can be complex and time-consuming, but it’s essential for the safety of your workers and the success of your business. Citation Canada offers a range of tools and solutions, including HR software, HR content, HR compliance, and HR support.
From policy templates and employee training programs to risk assessment forms, Citation Canada has everything you need to meet your compliance goals. Download our FREE Workplace Health and Safety Checklist Toolkit.