Are you ready for work? What new workers need to know about job safety

What is the Occupational Health and Safety Act?

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) is an Ontario law that sets out requirements for health and safety in the workplace. The OHSA was made to keep workers from getting hurt or sick on the job. It tells you what your employer, your supervisor, you, and other workers have to do to make the job safe. By law your employer and supervisor must make sure your workplace is safe, and you and other workers must follow all safety rules. Many workplaces have a health and safety committee that meets regularly to address health and safety issues. It has members who are workers and some who are with management.

Is your job covered by the OHSA?

Ontario workers are covered by the OHSA. Workers in federal workplaces are covered under federal health and safety legislation. If you work in your own home or in someone else's home, you may not be covered. If you aren't sure what law covers your job, you can call the Ministry of Labour to find out, or check the WorkSmartOntario website at www.WorkSmartOntario.gov.on.ca.

Ask about safety right from the start

• Will I have to wear any safety gear, such as safety glasses? Do I have to buy the gear or will you give it to me?
• Will I receive training so I know how to wear the safety gear properly and make sure it's in good condition?
• Will I be told about emergency procedures, for example, what to do if I get hurt?

What to do on your first day or when assigned a new task

The most important thing is to ask questions. There is no such thing as a dumb question, especially when you're asking how to do a job that you've never done before. Ask until you're out of questions to make sure you understand clearly the task you need to do and how to do it safely.

What to do if you think your work is unsafe

The OHSA says that if you see something at work that you think is unsafe, you must tell your supervisor. Do it right away. If you have talked to your supervisor and still think something is unsafe, you may have certain rights under the OHSA to refuse to do that work until the issue has been resolved. The OHSA says your supervisor must try to resolve the problem before you start working again. In cases in which the supervisor says the work is safe and you still feel it is not, you may still have a right to refuse to work, and a Ministry of Labour inspector must be called to investigate and decide whether you can safely go back to work.

New toll-free number to call to report unsafe work practices

Ontario's Ministry of Labour has a new toll-free number – 1-877-202-0008. Anyone, anywhere in Ontario, can call this number anytime – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to report a workplace health and safety incident, a critical injury or fatality, or a worker's refusal to work due to unsafe conditions. You can also call this number if you suspect that work practices are unsafe or to make general inquiries.

Can you be fired for refusing to work or asking about safety?

It is against the law for your employer to punish or fire you for refusing work that you think is unsafe or for expressing a concern about a safety issue. If you feel you have been punished (e.g., were sent home without pay, had your hours drastically cut, were fired), you can report it to the Ministry of Labour. The ministry will guide you either to your union (if you belong to one) or to the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

What to do if you are injured at work

Get first aid or medical help right away, and tell your supervisor about the injury. If you or a co-worker is injured and cannot ask for help or inform a supervisor, some other person at the workplace must do so. Your employer may need to file a notice of the injury with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board as soon as possible. You might be eligible to receive benefits from the board for any time you miss from work because you got hurt.