Workplace Safety 3220

Unit One
Intro to Occupational Health
and Safety
Major Theme:
recognize the importance
of a positive and safe
culture in the workplace
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Occupational Health & Safety

What Is Occupational
Health and Safety (OH
&S)?
Definition:
OH&S is the discipline concerned with
protecting human resources (people) in
the workplace
It emphasizes the prevention of
workplace accidents and incidents
through education and promotion
It involves the enforcement of
legislation
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Occupational Health & Safety

WHY DO WE NEED OH&S?

Statistics from NL:
Provincial Claims For 2010:
Lost Time Claims
3,940
484 Young Workers Age 15-24
Medical Aid Claims
2,117
261 Young Workers Age 15-24
Fatalities

32
1Young Worker
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Occupational Health & Safety

WHY ARE THESE INJURIES

OCCURRING?
Lack of :

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Awareness
Knowledge
Training
Supervision
Confidence

Occupational Health & Safety

What is Legislation?
The laws that govern our daily
activities.
Federal
Example = Criminal Code of
Canada

Provincial
NL Highway Traffic Act

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Occupational Health & Safety

O.H. & S. Legislation

Each province has laws that
govern workplace safety.
In NL, this legislation is
referred to at the
Occupational Health and
Safety (OH & S) Act

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Occupational Health & Safety

Occupational Health and

Safety (OH & S) Act
The Act sets the minimum
standard that should be met by
all workplaces to ensure safety.
The Act identifies Rights and
Responsibilities for all:

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Workers
Employers
Contractors
Government
Occupational Health & Safety

Who is Responsible For

OH&S?
Everyone is
responsible for
OH&S
A cooperative
effort between:
Community
Employer
Worker
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Occupational Health & Safety

Workers Rights

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Occupational Health & Safety

3 Basic Rights
Workers Rights:
Know about workplace
hazards
Participate & assist in
identifying and resolving
OH&S issues
Refuse unsafe work

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3 Basic Rights
Workers Rights:
The Right to Know:
Job orientations
Workplace Inspections
Safe work practices &
procedures
OH&S committee members
ASK QUESTIONS
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Occupational Health & Safety

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3 Basic Rights
Workers Rights:
The Right to Participate:
You have the right to help
resolve OH&S issues that arise
which affect you or others
Either as an individual or
through the OH&S committee
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3 Basic Rights
Workers Rights:
The Right to Refuse:
Any task which you believe may
present an immediate danger to
you or anyone else at the
workplace

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Occupational Health & Safety

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RIGHT TO REFUSE PROCEDURE

Report to Supervisor / Employer
No Resolution

OHS Committee /
Worker Representative
Not Resolved
Dept. of Gov. Services

Resolution

Resolution

Resolution

Return to
Work

Return to
Work

Return to
Work

3 Basic Rights
Workers Rights:
The Right to Refuse:
The employer must continue to
pay the worker
An employer shall not take
discriminatory action
If they do, report to the Labour
Relations Board
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SUMMARY
OH&S is concerned with
protecting human resources
at the workplace through
prevention and enforcement
Despite efforts, injuries
continue to occur

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Occupational Health & Safety

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SUMMARY
One main reason is a lack of
awareness
Everyone is responsible for
changing this
Ultimately YOU are
responsible for your own
health and safety
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Occupational Health & Safety

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