COMPETENT SUPERVISORS

Hello, and welcome to another instalment of MOL Radio.

In today's segment, we will be discussing supervision of workers. Specifically, we will look at the duties of supervisors.

A supervisor is considered to be anyone who directs the work of another worker.

It could be an office or a retail store manager, a construction site foreman, a supervisor on an assembly line in a factory … anyone who directs others at work is considered to be a supervisor.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to appoint a competent person as a supervisor. Under the act, a "competent person" is someone who:
• is qualified because of knowledge, training and experience to organize the work and its performance,
• is familiar with the act and the regulations that apply to the work being performed in the workplace, and
• has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace.

As long as you satisfy the criteria, you are considered to be a competent person.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act also places specific duties on supervisors. As a supervisor you must:
• ensure that workers under your supervision comply with the Act and regulations
• ensure that any equipment, protective device or clothing required by your employer is used or worn by the workers
• advise workers of any potential or actual health or safety dangers known by you, the supervisor
• if required by the act or a regulation, you must provide a worker with written instructions about the measures and procedures to be taken for that worker's protection, and
• you must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers.

As a supervisor, you are a leader in health and safety in your workplace.

Lead by example. For instance, wear required protective equipment and always reinforce the importance of working safely. Explain safety rules and make sure they're followed. Explain the importance of prompt reporting of health and safety concerns. Be available to answer questions and provide advice about workplace health and safety.

Remember, a safe and healthy workplace is usually a very productive workplace. Workplace health and safety is everybody's business …

If you are a supervisor, it is your duty to make sure that everybody under your supervision knows that, and that everybody takes workplace health and safety seriously.

That's it for this health and safety segment on MOL Radio.

Thank you for listening.

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