Lesson 2: Occupational Health and Safety

Glossary

If you have ever read or heard about an accident or death on a worksite, you will undoubtedly 
have seen the words, "Occupational Heath and Safety are on site".  
Have you thought about what that means and the reason that they are on-site at the time of a workplace injury 
or death?  
In this lesson, you will learn about the Occupational Health and Safety Act; the government body that sets the rules for ensuring workplace safety.


Employers and Workers 

The first step to knowing the OH&S Act is to know the meaning of the terms, "Employers" and "Workers" as defined in the OH&S Act. 

An employer is a person who employs one or more workers, or a person who is self-employed. 

A worker is any person working at a job. 


 Who is NOT Covered by the OH&S Act? 

 You May Be a Worker or an Employer!                  


 The OH&S Act covers most workers and employers, except the following:

  • Domestic workers, such as nannies or housekeepers

  • Federal government workers

  • Workers in industries regulated by the federal government (banks, national transportation companies, television and radio broadcasters)

  • Farmers and other agricultural workers.

 The OH&S Act is important because:

  • If you work for someone else, you are a worker. You need to know your rights and what can be expected of you.

  • If you decide to start your own business and hire others, you are an employer.

  • If you are paid for mowing lawns or painting a house, you are self-employed.


                                                In Alberta, both employers and workers are responsible for safety in the workplace.


Occupational Health & Safety Act

  • Each province in Canada has an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Act.
  • The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OH&S ACT) sets rules for ensuring workplace safety. 
  • Each provincial OH&S Act specifies the safety standards designed to protect the health and safety of workers.
  • The OH&S Act includes the rights and duties of employers, workers and others within the workplace. 
  • The OH&S Act covers most occupations, workers and employers. 
  • Most farming operations are exempt under the OH&S Act, except for food processing, greenhouses, mushroom farms, nurseries, landscaping, sod farms, and pet breeders, which are covered. 



Did you know: 

It's against the law for:

  • anyone to force you to do work that you think is unsafe; you can't lose your job for refusing to do work that is unsafe

  • an employer to run an unsafe business.

  • you to work if you think there is imminent danger. 




The information in these lessons, was but a brief summary of some major points with regard to worker safety and the Occupational Health and Safety Act; to learn more click on: