Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Compliance
Webinars
OHS Compliance by province/territories
In Canada, OHS laws and standards are set by the federal government for federally-regulated employers, and by each province or territory for the non-federally regulated employers in that jurisdiction. While the laws across the country have many things in common, there are enough differences to make compliance -- especially if you have locations in multiple jurisdictions -- challenging.
There are thirteen jurisdictions in Canada – the provinces and territories, plus some industries that are federally regulated -- each having its own occupational health and safety legislation, outlining the general rights and responsibilities of the employer, the supervisor and the worker.
Select your province to learn more
Tips and Tricks: 5 easy ways to improve occupational health and safety in your small business!
1. Demonstrate your commitment to safety
You and your management team can show you’re committed to workplace safety by:
- Creating a health and safety policy for the business
- Demonstrating examples of safe and unsafe practices
- Participating in workplace safety discussions with staff
- Completing regular internal inspections
- Providing resources for staff on workplace safety
2. Identify and manage your risks
Identify Risks:
- Biohazardous (ex. viruses)
- Chemical (ex. gases)
- Mechanical (ex. machines)
- Ergonomic (ex. work posture)
- Psychological (ex. difficult customers)
- Physical (ex. noise)
Manage Risks:
- Ensure staff have proper protective equipment
- Conduct inspections and maintenance
- Provide training
- Put up informational posters
- Install security devices
- Implement safer work processes
3. Train your employees
- Analyze your needs and the needs of your employees
- Establish your priorities
- Find training for staff
- CCOHS
- Legislated training
- CFIB
- Worker compensation boards
- Consultants, etc.
- Organize training
- Vubiz offers a series of online Health & Safety courses – free for CFIB members!
- Log the information
4. Investigate accidents and develop plans to reduce future risks
- Collect all the facts
- Ask the right questions : Who, What, Where, When, Why and How (and document answers in writing)
- Investigate
- Develop plans to reduce future risk
5. Measure your performance
- Measure your preventive actions
- How many OHS discussions does your business hold in a year?
- What actions have you taken during the year to improve safety?
- How many inspections does your business conduct in a year?
- Set course of action for improvement; for example:
- Increase OHS training
- Increase OHS discussions and inspections
- Implement a safety committee, etc.