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Module 1 - Introduction To Workplace Health and Safety Concepts and The Legislative Framework

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Module 1 - Introduction To Workplace Health and Safety Concepts and The Legislative Framework

Uploaded by

azaan.nilar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Occupational Health and Safety

Management
MODULE 1

Introduction to Workplace Health and Safety Concepts and


the Legislative Framework
Learning Objectives

1. Explain the purpose and benefits of occupational


health and safety in Canada.
2. Define occupational health and safety, occupational
injury and occupational illness.
3. Explain the connection between human resources
and occupational health and safety.
4. Describe the legislative and regulatory framework
that governs occupational health and safety in
Ontario and Canada
5. Explain the duties of major stakeholders under
occupational health and safety regulations and
legislation.
6. Describe the three health and safety rights granted to
workers in Canada
7. Describe the structure and role of joint health and
safety committees
Is this a workplace health and safety issue?

A man dies of a heart attack after years of


experiencing harassment from colleagues and
supervisors at work.

An angry ex-partner makes threatening phone


calls to one of your employees while at work.

A truck driver falls asleep behind the wheel, due


to the demands of working 18 hour shifts 3 days
in a row.
What is Occupational Health & Safety?

• By definition, it is the identification, evaluation, and control of hazards


associated with the work environment.
• As a corporate program, the goal is to reduce occupational injuries
and illness.
Key terms:

Occupational Illness: Any abnormal condition or disorder caused


by exposure to environmental factors associated with employment

Occupational Injury: Any cut, fracture, sprain, or amputation


resulting from a workplace incident
A Brief History

• Documentation goes back to ancient Egypt.


• Serious health issues occurred from exposure to materials at work
over time and change was required for the protection of worker’s
health.
• Royal Commissions on the Relations of Capital and Labour (1889)
and the introduction standards and labour bureaus
• 1960s and 1970s - Canada Labour (Standards) Code and Canada
Labour (Safety) Code
• In the 21 Century additional focus on psychological health and safety
Health and Safety Rights

• 1974 - Royal Commission on the Health and Safety of Workers in Mines


(Ontario)
• 1978 - Occupational Health and Safety Act (Ontario)
• Introduced 3 principal worker’s rights which are now enshrined in current
legislation and is the basis of many H&S programs:
o Right to refuse dangerous work without penalty
o Right to participate in identifying and correcting health and safety problems
o Right to know about hazards in the workplace
• 1988 - Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) - based
on the 3rd right
− WHMIS 2015 introduced to align with the Global Harmonized System of Classification
and Labelling of Chemical Materials (GHS)
The Stakeholders

1-9 Copyright © 2021 by Nelson Education Ltd.


Health & Safe Work Environments
Workplace Fatalities and Lost Time Injuries

• Number of workplace fatalities in Canada is growing.


• 1,000-1,100 workers each year die as a result of workplace accidents.
• Over 250,000 suffer injury that results in the employee missing work - a
lost-time injury.
• Younger workers at increased risk of injury and death.
Source: Workers Compensation Board of Canada, 2017 National Disease Statistics Program.

Construction,
manufacturing
and transportation
are the most
dangerous
industries.
Financial and Social Costs

Examples of direct costs that can Examples of indirect costs that can
result from a work-related injury or result from a work-related injury or
illness: illness:
• Worker’s lost time • Potential increase in WCB
• Investigation time assessment
• Finding/training replacement • Potential fines and legal costs
worker • Family impact/stress
• Increased WCB premiums • Pain and suffering from long-term
effects of injury
• Employee stress

Indirect costs can be as much as 10X higher


Internal Responsibility Systems

The system of shared responsibility for health and safety that is


the basis for most Canadian OH & S legislation

• Actors - employee, employer, supervisor, H.R., etc.


• Each take personal responsibility for safety.
• Self-correction for enhancing workplace safety is enshrined in
this system through the right to refuse, work stoppages and
joint health and safety committees.
The Role of Human Resources - Three E’s

1. Educating supervisors and employers

2. Engineering solutions to enhance safety

3. Enforcing regulations and practices


Legislative Framework

Regulated under a variety of mechanisms

Acts = law

Regulation = explanation of how to implement an Act

Guidelines/Policies = more specific rules but not legally enforceable

Standards and Codes = design-related guides established by agencies


Standards and Codes

Established by various bodies:

• Canadian Standards Association (CSA)


• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist
(ACGIH)
Scope of Legislation

All include:

• An Act
• Powers of enforcement
• The right of workers to refuse to do unsafe work
• Protection of workers from reprisals
• Duties and responsibilities assigned to employers and others
Scope of Legislation

Other elements - Mandatory establishment of:

• Joint labour/management health and safety committee


• Health and safety policies
• Accident-prevention programs
• Advisory councils on occupational health and safety
Duties of Employers, Owners, and Contractors

Ensure safety by:


• Ensuring that equipment is provided and properly maintained
• Appointing a competent supervisor
• Providing information (including confidential information) in a medical emergency
• Informing supervisors and workers of possible hazards
• Posting the OH&S Act in the workplace
• Preparing and maintaining a health and safety policy and reviewing it annually
• Preparing policies regarding workplace violence and harassment

Due diligence is a standard of conduct that requires employers (contractors


and supervisors) to take every reasonable precaution to ensure safety.
Duties of Supervisors

• Ensure workers comply with the OH&S Act and regulations


• Ensure that workers use or wear safety equipment, devices, or
clothing
• Advise workers of possible hazards
• Provide written instructions if applicable
• Take every reasonable precaution to ensure the protection of workers
Duties of Workers

• Comply with the OH&S Act and regulations


• Proper use of the safety equipment and clothes provided
• Report hazards, such as defective equipment, to the supervisor
• Report any contraventions of the act or regulations
Joint Health and Safety Committees

• Required by law (20+ employees in Ontario)


• Helps to enact the internal responsibility system (IRS)
• Labour and Management work together
• Duties include:
− Hazard recognition
− Risk assessments and investigations
− Record keeping
− Responding to employee concerns
Conclusions

• Health and Safety is an issue for everyone concerned


• Laws, regulations and standards are in place to help:
o Promote a safe, healthy and productive workplace
o Protect all workplace stakeholders from harm
o Inform employers, supervisors and employees of their rights and
responsibilities
• As HR practitioners, successful health and safety practices impact a
company’s bottom-line, workplace culture and environment.

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