Employer's Duties

The Occupational Health and Safety Act makes everyone in the workplace responsible for keeping the workplace safe. However, employers have special duties and responsibilities that reflect their power over employees and the environment in which they work.

Employers MUST ensure the health and safety of anyone at or near the workplace. Some aspects of this duty are: 

1. Maintain equipment.

2. Provide safety training.

3. Familiarize employees with health and safety hazards in the workplace.

4. Ensure employees have access to appropriate safety gear and equipment.

5. Minimize employees’ exposure to health and safety hazards.

6. Cooperate with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee and its representatives.

7. Comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act

It is your duty as an employee to take every precaution reasonably available to you to protect the health and safety of yourself and other employees. This includes reporting unsafe conditions, following appropriate safety procedures, and cooperating with the Occupational Health and Safety Committee.

Employers also have a duty to introduce policies, programs, and committees that promote and maintain workplace safety.

Businesses with more than five employees must have a written Health and Safety Policy that is available to all workers and the employer. To learn about your employer’s specific health and safety responsibilities, ask for a copy of your workplace Health and Safety Policy document.

Depending on the size of the business, your employer may also be required to have a Health and Safety Committee or a Health and Safety Representative:

• Businesses with 20 or more employees must have an Occupational Health and Safety Program that establishes and maintains health and safety procedures. They must also have a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) made up of both worker and management representatives. This committee allows employers and employees to work together to keep the workplace safe and is usually the first point of contact if you have a safety concern.

• Businesses with more than 4 but fewer than 20 employees are not required to have a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee. However, they must have a Health and Safety Representative who performs a similar role, just on a smaller scale.