[Shraddha]

Hi Jonathon,

OHSA section 25 assigns the following general and specific duties to employers.

· Take all reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of workers.

· Ensure that equipment, materials and protective equipment are maintained in good condition.

· Provide information, instruction, and supervision to protect worker health and safety; and

· Co-operate with the Joint Health and Safety Committee.

Some of the specific duties require an employer to:

· Comply with all regulations made under OHSA;

· Develop and implement an occupational health and safety program and policy;

· Post a copy of OHSA in the workplace; and any explanatory material prepared by the Ministry of Labour in the workplace; and

· Provide health and safety reports to the JHSC.

OHSA Section 26 details a number of other areas where additional duties for an employer may be prescribed.

For more information refer to :https://www.ontario.ca/document/guide-occupational-health-and-safety-act/part-iii-duties-employers-and-other-persons

[Shraddha]

Hi Paula,

Under OHSA, employees have the following three basic rights:

1. The right to refuse unsafe work.

2. The Right to participate in the workplace
health and safety activities through the Health and Safety Committee (HSC)
or as a worker health and safety representative.

3. The Right to know, or the right to be informed about, actual and potential dangers in the workplace.

Employees responsibilities include the following:

• Work in compliance with OH&S acts
  and regulations.
• Use personal protective equipment and
  clothing as directed by the employer.
• Report workplace hazards and dangers
  to the supervisor or employer.
• Work in a safe manner as required by
  the employer and use the prescribed safety equipment.
• Tell the supervisor or employer about
  any missing or defective equipment or protective device that may be
  dangerous.

[Shraddha]

Under OHSA, an employer can be a corporation or an individual owner. In a large organization, the employer is typically represented by senior management. They may delegate the tasks required to fulfill their duties to Human Resources or Health and Safety Managers. But, they cannot outsource the legal responsibility. In a small organization, the employer is often the owner themselves. In this case, they may be the ones carrying out the tasks involved in fulfilling the employer’s duties.

[Shraddha]

Hi Veronica,

OHSA applies to almost every worker, supervisor, employer, and workplace in Ontario, including workplace owners, constructors, and suppliers of equipment or materials to workplaces covered by the Act.

OHSA does not apply to:

· Work is done by the owner or occupant, or a servant, in a private residence or on the connected land [Section 3(1)];

· Workplaces under federal jurisdiction, although federal authorities accept those outside contractors and their employees, while in federal workplaces, are under provincial jurisdiction.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by  Shraddha.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by  Shraddha.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by  Shraddha.

[Shraddha]

Hi Veronica,

To make sure workers know their rights under the OHSA it is advised that workplaces in Ontario must put up posters. If your workplace is covered by OHSA act then you must put up the Health & Safety at work: Prevention starts here poster and the copy of Occupational Health and Safety act. This applies even if you have fewer than 6 workers, but some requirements depend on the size of the workplace.

For more information you may refer to : https://www.ontario.ca/page/posters-required-workplace