There are basically fourteen jurisdictions in Canada. Every
single jurisdiction has its own legislation related to health and
safety. This legislation provides people awareness and security
related to their health issues.
Duties of Occupational Health and Safety Legislation
The basic aim of occupational and safety legislation is to
highlight the general rights and responsibilities of the
employer, supervisor and the worker through some
regulations.
The Right to Know Legislation
It is the special legislation in Canada which provides
information on hazardous products intended for use in
workplaces. It comprises a series of complimentary federal,
provincial and territorial laws and regulations. Its basic purpose
is to provide information on hazardous products.
The Goals of Occupational, Safety and Health Programs
The major goal of occupational, safety and health program
is to provide a safe and healthy work environment for a worker.
Its purpose is to give a protection to family members,
employers, customers. In common law jurisdiction, employers
have a common law duty to take reasonable care of the safety
of their employees.
How are OSHA and Regulations Enforced?
Inspectors are the enforcement arm of the Ministry of workers.
The powers an inspector may use to fulfill this role are set out
in OSHA.
What is the Internal Responsibility System?
The internal responsibility provides everyone within an
organization a direct responsibility to its people as an essential
part of his job. Its main purpose is to provide basic health
necessities to workers. Everyone takes initiative on health
issues and then work on them to solve health problems and
make improvements on daily basis. People do it individually
and in group as well. It helps to cope with accidents and work
related illnesses.
How Federal workplaces are regulated?
Workplaces under federal jurisdiction are regulated by the
Canada Labour Code which is administered by Human
Resources and Skill Development Canada.
What are the basic regulations which have been made under
OSHA?
The regulations made by sector, work or hazard specific.
Industrial Establishment, Construction Projects, Mines and
Mining plants, Health Care and Residential Facilities are
included in the regulations of OSHA.
What happens to the refusal for unsafe work?
An employee is always free to refuse work if she finds that the
situation is not secure or safe for her. An employee must tell or
inform the supervisor that he or she is refusing to work there
because the situation is unsafe for him or her. The employee is
also free to work again with the same organization if the
problem is resolved with an agreement. If problem is resolved
then an inspector is called at the workplace and inspector is
bound to investigate and then to give a proper decision.
How is legislation enforced?
The legislation bounds an employer to protect the rights of
employee health and safety. Enforcement is carried out by
inspectors from the government department responsible for
health and safety. This law directs supervisors and authorities
to protect the public safety of an employee. In serious
negligence, individual could be charged with criminal
negligence.