A Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act

• ISBN 978-4435-3984-5 (HTML)
• ISBN 978-4435-3985-2 (PDF)
• ISBN 978-4435-3983-8 (Print)
• Revised: May 2011
• Content last reviewed: May 2011
• PDF Version [ 362 KB / 92 pages | Download Adobe Reader ]

We want to hear from you!

A new print edition of this guide, which will include recent changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act contained in Bill 160 (Occupational Health and Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011 – Third Reading May 18, 2011), will be available in the spring of 2012.

As we continue to update this guide, we are looking for feedback on what improvements might help you. For example, what do you think about the Guide’s format, wording, examples, templates, etc.? If you have any ideas, suggestions or general comments, please let us know!

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

1. About this Guide
2. About the Act
   1. The Workplace Partnership
   2. The Rights of Workers
   3. Duties of Employers and Other Persons
   4. Enforcement
   5. Regulations
   6. Approved Codes of Practice
3. Who Is Covered by the Act?
   1. Definitions
   2. Work and Workplaces Not Covered
4. Joint Health and Safety Committees
   1. The Powers of the Joint Health and Safety Committee
   2. Employer's Duty to Co-operate with the Committee
   3. Certified Members of Committees
   4. Worker Trades Committees on Construction Projects
   5. Confidentiality of Information
5. Health and Safety Representatives
   1. The Powers of the Health and Safety Representative
   2. Confidentiality of Information
6. Duties of Employers and Other Persons
   1. General Duties of Employers
   2. Prescribed Duties of Employers
   3. Duties of Employers Concerning Toxic Substances
   4. Notices Required from Employers
   5. Duties of Supervisors
   6. Duties of Constructors
   7. Duties of Owners
   8. Duties of Suppliers
   9. Duties of Licensees
   10. Duties of Corporate Officers and Directors
   11. Liability of Architects and Engineers
   12. Duties of Workers
7. The Right to Refuse Work
8. The Right to Stop Work
   1. Dangerous Circumstances
   2. Limitations on the Right to Stop Work
   3. Joint Right to Stop Work
   4. Individual Right to Stop Work
   5. Responsible Use of the Right to Stop Work
9. Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment
10. Toxic Substances
    1. The Control of Toxic Substances
    2. The Right to Know About Toxic Substances
11. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
    1. Certification of Joint Committee Members
    2. Education and Training
    3. Health and Safety Training Centres, Clinics and Safety Associations
    4. Employer Accreditation
    5. Other Functions
12. Enforcement
    1. Inspector's Orders
    2. Workplace Investigations
    3. Offences and Penalties
13. Appendices:
    1. Appendix A — How to Prepare an Occupational Health and Safety Policy
    2. Appendix B — Ministry of Labour Occupational Health and Safety — Contact Information

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