Ontario Ministry of Labour Safety Training

Source: Training from Ontario Ministry of Labour

Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 steps

Workers Training

Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) guards and provides responsibilities to

• Employers (have the greatest responsibility)
  • Communicate:
    • Emergency plan
    • Hazardous materials info
    • Workplace violence and harassment policies
    • Copy of OHSA guidelines
    • Copy of H&S prevention posters
    • Names of join health and safety committee
• Employees
  • Follow safety procedures and be safe
  • Use safety equipment
  • Participate in Joint Health and Safety committee and worker roles, H&S representatives
  • Report issues
• Supervisors
  • Communicate:
    • Hazards
    • Procedures related to health and safety
    • Location of protective equipment
    • Location where H&S information is posted
    • First aid station and providers
    • Safety procedures
  • Ensure proper equipment used by workers
  • Keep workplace safe and healthy (through planning, procedures, and instruction)

People can speak up, be informed, and participate in safety committees

Rights: see something, say something, refuse work in unsafe situations.

Actionable steps to preventing hazards

1. Ask Questions - inform people, awareness, training
2. Eliminate/reduce hazards
   1. e.g. replacing chemicals, ventilation systems, putting barriers - engineering controls
3. Reduce exposure to hazards
   1. e.g. reduce time spent close to hazard or spend working with it - administrative/work practice controls
4. Protective equipment and devices
   1. e.g. hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, steel toe boots, machine guards
5. Contact supervisor, H&S representative and as a last resort the Ministry of Labour of hazards if they remain present in the workplace. - MOL Health and Safety Contact Centre: 1-877-202-0008

Common Hazards

• Repetitive action
• Slipping, tripping, falling
• Motorized vehicle
• Machinery
• Workplace violence
• Chemicals

Supervisor Health and Safety Awareness in 5 steps

Employee responsible for Joint Health and Safety Committee is required for 6-19 employees. Generally, more workers = larger JHSC and worker and employee roles.

Supervisor’s Toolkit

• Be a role model
• Recognize, Assess, Control, and Evaluate hazards

(RACE)

Use the workplace members (JHSC, supervisors, works, employees) to address hazards. Use Ontario Health & Safety partners:

• Ministry of Labour
• Worker’s Health & Safety Centre
• Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers
• Health & Safety Ontario
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board