YOUR GUIDE TO

WORKPLACE

Everyone is responsible for workplace safety. Know your rights and responsibilities!

OHSA: Occupational Health and Safety Act • Covers most workers in Ontario • Everyone in the workplace is responsible for preventing injury/illness

IRS: Internal Responsibility System • Workers, supervisors, employers, and worker representatives all have legal duty to keep their

workplace safe and healthy • Workplaces with 6-19 workers must have a Health & Safety Representative • Workplaces with 20+ workers must have a Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC)

Ontario Ministry of Labour (enforces OHSA) • Penalties to pay when health and safety laws are broken • Under OHSA, a person can be fined up to:

• $ 25,000 for every charge laid • And/or serve 12 months in jail

• Corporations can be fined up to $500,000 per violation (if convicted)

• It’s great to have a job and exciting to start a new one, BUT workplaces can be dangerous

• Injuries happen, but they don’t have to

• BE AWARE! Everyday in Ontario workers are injured, made ill, or killed on the job

Lack of Proper Training

or Experience • New workers not familiar with workplace hazards • Experienced workers tend to have less injuries

Workers don’t know their legal rights

• All workers have legal rights that protect their health & safety

Afraid to ask questions • Embarrassed to ask questions • Afraid to “rock the boat” at work or appear incompetent

You, your employer, and your supervisors ALL share responsibilities for health and safety!

The OHSA and its regulations sets minimum age for different kinds of works: • 18 years: underground mines, window cleaning • 16 years: mining plant, surface mine, construction, logging • 15 years: factory operation, repair shops • 14 years: for all other industrial establishments

14 /15 year-olds may NOT be employed during school hours – Unless excused from attendance under the Education Act

Currently NO minimum age requirements for:

• Health Care Establishments • Libraries • Museums • Golf Courses • Schools

Employer

• Establish a health and safety policy and program

• Provide required training • Provide information, instructions,

and supervision for safe job performance

• Provide necessary safety equipment • Provide information on hazards in the

workplace • Display important information where

everyone can see it

Supervisor

• Make sure you follow the law and company's safety rules

• Tell you about any job hazards or dangers

• Make sure you use safety equipment properly

• Should look after the workers

• Obey the law • Use machines and work equipment safely • Wear required personal protective

equipment • Report hazards to your boss • Work safely at all times • Don’t fool around on the job

You have the right to… • Know about dangers in your workplace • Training before you start the job • On-the-job training • Work Supervision • Hazard information to perform your job safely

The right to participate… • Become a Health & Safety Representative • Become a member of the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) • Help with health & Safety Inspections • Take Part in Training • Identify hazards and possible solutions

The right to refuse unsafe work…

• No job is worth getting hurt • Discuss it with your boss, before refusing work you think is dangerous • Employer cannot punish or fire you for refusing work you think is unsafe

Your employer and supervisors are responsible for ensuring you have the safety training you need!

General Training:

• Company Health & Safety Policy • Company Safety Rules • Emergency Procedures • How to get First Aid

Specific Training:

• How to do your job safely • How to deal with hazardous materials • How to use Personal Protective Equipment • How to operate machinery and equipment safely

• A hazard is anything that can hurt or make you ill

• A workplace hazard is any condition, practice, or behaviour that could cause injury or illness to a person or damage to property

PHYSICAL HAZARDS: unsafe machines and environmental conditions Examples: unguarded machine parts such as saw blades, constant noise, prolonged exposure to sun and

cold BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS: produced by living things, often coming from working with animals or people Examples: blood, viruses, animal/bird droppings CHEMICAL HAZARDS: materials that are flammable, explosive, poisonous Examples: cleaning products, pesticides, gasoline ERGONOMIC HAZARDS: caused by poorly designed workplaces/processes Examples: poor lighting, workstations that are too high/low for you, or a job that requires you to repeat

the same movement over and over

Violence: • Assault • Harassment • Threats

Stress Factors: • Conflict with managers or co-workers • Poor working conditions • Heavy workloads

Psychological Hazards: • Psychological or social factors can cause problems • Example: stress and violence can lead to headaches and

trouble sleeping

• You have a legal responsibility to report hazards, protect yourself, and protect your co-workers • Pay attention to health and safety information, and recognize situations that might be dangerous

WHMIS: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System A Canadian system of identifying hazardous materials, to make sure all workers have the information they need to work safely 4 Components of WHMIS: Classification and Symbols Warning Labels Material Safety Data Sheets Training

Prevent injury “at the source” of the hazard: • Redesign work processes/isolate dangerous processes • Install guards/enclosures around moving parts • Replace hazardous substances with less hazardous ones

Control hazards “along the path” before reaching the worker: • Use local ventilation systems to remove fumes • Put up welding screens to protect co-workers from welding flash

Use hazard controls “at the worker”: • Create rules/procedures for how people work around hazards • Limit how long workers are around dangerous materials • Provide personal protective equipment (PPE)

Whatever method the workplace uses to control a hazard, it must do 3 things:

• Control the Hazard • Not Create any New Hazards • Allow you to Do your Job Comfortably

AT THE SOURCE ALONG THE PATH AT THE

WORKER

Isolate the compressor in a

sound proof room

Install sound absorbing panels

Provide the worker with

ear plugs

HEAD & EYES • Hard hats provide protection from falling objects • Goggles/face shields protect eyes from splashing liquids or flying objects • Safety glasses protect you from dust/debris

EARS • Ear muffs/plugs protect hearing from loud noises

FEET • Safety shoes/boots protect feet from sharp/heavy objects • Footwear should be non-slip

HANDS • Gloves protect hands from chemicals/sharp objects

LUNGS • Respirators prevent inhaling tiny particles in air that can damage lungs

SKIN • Shirts with long sleeves/coveralls can protect from being scratched, burned or splashed by chemicals

BODY • Fall protection systems (harnesses that tie off) can prevent serious injury from falling from heights

• Some jobs may have facilities to deal with emergencies, such as eye wash stations or showers

• Stay safe at work by knowing what to DO in an emergency, such as: •Fire, explosion •Injury •Hazardous materials spill •Violence •Severe Weather

• Make sure you know the emergency procedures in your workplace

Emergency Equipment:

Fire Extinguishers Fire Blankets Stretchers Flashlights Spill Kits Eyewash Stations/Showers First Aid Kit

Emergency Plan:

Reporting Procedure Description of Alarm System Duties and Responsibilities Escape Routes/Safe Meeting Area Communication Method Names/Numbers of Key People Regular Drills Map of Building/Exits

YOU MUST: • Get First Aid Treatment • Tell your Supervisor/Boss • Get Medical Care if Necessary YOUR EMPLOYER MUST: • Arrange your Transportation to get Medical Care • Pay you Wages for the Day of Injury

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario

Health and Safety, Ontario Ministry of Labour

Know Your Rights, WorkRights.ca

FOR MORE INFORMATION: VISIT THE CAREER CENTRE: Room 11180 - 100 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston, ON

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.stlawrencecollege.ca/careerservices EMAIL: careerservices@sl.on.ca

PHONE: 613-544-5400 Ext. 1844 613-345-0660 Ext. 1844 613-933-3259 Ext. 1844