What Are the Key Aspects and FAQs of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) in Ontario, Canada?

What Are the Key Aspects and FAQs of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) in Ontario, Canada?

1. What is the Occupational Health and Safety Act?
   • The OHSA is legislation designed to protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job. It sets out duties for all workplace parties and rights for workers. It establishes procedures for dealing with workplace hazards and provides for enforcement of the law where compliance has not been achieved voluntarily.
2. Who does the OHSA apply to?
   • The OHSA applies to almost all workers, supervisors, employers, and workplaces in Ontario, including those working in offices, factories, construction sites, and many other places.
3. What are the duties of employers under OHSA?
   • Employers are required to provide a safe work environment, inform and train employees about safety hazards, provide personal protective equipment, and comply with all applicable OHSA regulations.
4. What rights do workers have under OHSA?
   • Workers have the right to know about potential workplace hazards, the right to participate in identifying and resolving workplace health and safety concerns, and the right to refuse work that they believe is dangerous.
5. What is a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)?
   • A JHSC is a group of worker and employer representatives who work together to identify potential health and safety issues and to recommend solutions. Having a JHSC is mandatory in Ontario workplaces with 20 or more employees.
6. How can workers refuse unsafe work under OHSA?
   • Workers should first report the unsafe condition to their supervisor or employer. If the issue is not resolved, they can refuse work and must immediately report the situation to a workplace safety representative or a Ministry of Labour inspector.
7. What are the penalties for non-compliance with OHSA?
   • Non-compliance can lead to orders issued by inspectors, fines, and, in severe cases, criminal charges under the Canadian Criminal Code.
8. How is workplace violence and harassment addressed under OHSA?
   • Employers are required to develop and implement policies and programs to prevent workplace violence and harassment, assess the risks of workplace violence, and take reasonable precautions to protect workers from being harmed or harassed in the workplace.
9. What is the role of the Ministry of Labour in enforcing OHSA?
   • The Ministry of Labour’s inspectors enforce the OHSA and its regulations. They have the authority to enter workplaces, conduct inspections, issue orders, and initiate prosecutions for violations.
10. How can I obtain more information about OHSA compliance?
    • Information about OHSA compliance can be obtained from the Ministry of Labour’s website, health and safety associations, legal advisors specializing in employment law, and through training programs and resources offered by various organizations.
    • What Are the Key Aspects and FAQs of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) in Ontario, Canada?

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