According to the Occupational Health & Safety Act:
- The right to know
Know the dangers of the workplace- Your employer must inform you of all Health and Safety hazards in the workplace. These hazards can be chemical, biological, physical, radioactive, and ergonomic. All employees should receive training before starting a new job or if transferred to a new position.
- The right to participate
Participate in making your workplace safe- As a worker you should ensure that your workplace is safe and free from hazards. You can do this by educating yourself on the proper workplace procedures, and being aware of any potential hazards that may arise. If any hazards/safety issues are found, inform your direct manager to take corrective action. You are also encouraged to participate in or work along with the Joint Health and Safety Committee within the organization.
- The right to refuse unsafe work
Refuse unsafe work - If you believe that your workplace (equipment/desk/surrounding) is unsafe, you can refuse to do work until the situation is corrected. The new legislation, Bill 168 extends Section 43 of the OHSA, which gives workers the right to refuse work in various circumstances, to include the right to refuse or stop work in situations of workplace violence. The usual work refusal process would be initiated, including an investigation by the employer and, potentially, a Ministry of Labour inspector. You MUST, however, inform your supervisor immediately of your concerns. In the meantime you can be assigned other work. The Right to Refuse or Stop Work is outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Sections 43-48.
