Procedure for a Work Refusal

You don’t have to do or use anything you consider unsafe. Any worker who thinks that a piece of equipment or an activity is hazardous may refuse to use that equipment or do that activity. You do not have to make a formal or official announcement. Simply stating that something is unsafe is enough to start the work refusal process.

First Stage

Worker considers work unsafe

Worker refuses to work. Reports concern immediately to supervisor, safety rep., management rep. Stays in safe place.

Supervisor/Department Head investigates with safety rep. and worker

Issue Resolved

Worker goes back to work.

Issue Not Resolved

[proceed to the second stage]

Second Stage

With reasonable grounds to believe work is still unsafe, worker continues to refuse and remains in safe place.

Supervisor or management rep. calls MOL.

Worker may be offered other work if it doesn’t conflict with collective agreement.

Refused work may be offered to another worker, but must be done in presence of refusing worker. Management must inform new worker that the offered work is subject of a work refusal.

MOL Inspector investigates in company of worker, safety rep and supervisor or management rep.

Inspector gives decision to worker, management rep./supervisor and safety rep. in writing.

Changes are made if required or ordered.

Worker returns to work

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Last modified: July 11, 2006