WORKERS' RIGHTS UNDER THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT
Hello, and welcome to MOL Radio.
Today's health and safety podcast focuses on the rights of workers to work in a safe and healthy environment.
The Internal Responsibility System, or IRS, is a system where everyone has a responsibility for workplace health and safety that is appropriate to one's role and function within the organization.
Under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, workers and employers must share the responsibility for occupational health and safety.
After all, people actually doing the work are usually in the best position to identify health and safety problems and in the best position to develop or suggest solutions.
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At work, it is the employer who directs the work force and controls the production process.
To balance this employer right - and to ensure a strong IRS - the Occupational Health and Safety Act gives some basic rights to workers.
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The first one is the "Right to Know" about any potential hazards to which you may be exposed while working.
This means you must be trained and must have information on machinery, equipment, working conditions, processes and hazardous substances.
Depending on your workplace, this may include how to prevent slips and falls and avoiding over exerting yourself or being hit by objects.
It could also include protecting against hearing loss from constant loud noises, and minimizing or eliminating exposure to hazardous chemicals.
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You also have the "Right to Participate."
As a worker, you have the right to be part of the process of identifying and resolving health and safety concerns where you work.
In most workplaces, this is done through worker membership on joint health and safety committees, or through worker health and safety representatives.
These committees and representatives are responsible for addressing your concerns about your workplace health and safety, and finding appropriate solutions.
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Another right is the "Right to Refuse Work" that you believe is dangerous to either your own health and safety, or that of a fellow worker.
You may also refuse work if you believe you are endangered by workplace violence.
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You cannot be penalized, dismissed, disciplined, suspended or threatened by your employer for exercising this right or any other workplace right.
That's against the law.
All workers have the right to return home safe and sound after work.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations provide the framework for working safely in our province.
Under our Safe at Work Ontario strategy, the Ministry of Labour enforces the Act and the regulations.
This includes ensuring that a strong IRS that fosters a sustained culture of workplace health and safety is in place.
We have more than 400 highly-trained ministry health and safety professionals supporting workplace enforcement and compliance every day.
Our approach is working - making Ontario one of the safest places to work in Canada.
But, as we know … we must do more, because one injury or one death is one too many.
We urge you to learn more about your workplace rights.
For more information, visit our website at Ontario.ca (forward slash) labour (that's l-a-b-o-u-r).
Once again, Ontario.ca - forward slash - labour - l-a-b-o-u-r.
Remember. You have only one life.
Work Smart - Work Safe!
Thank you for listening to MOL Radio.