WHSCC - Employers Duties in OH&S

Employers Duties in OH&S

Employers and workers are personally responsible and accountable for workplace health and safety. This is commonly referred to as an Internal Responsibility System (IRS). Employers are responsible for developing safe work practices, providing adequate training, and ensuring employees are familiar workplace hazards. Workers follow the safe work practices, participate in the training and report hazards.

Some of the duties of employers under the Province’s Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations are listed on this site and should not be viewed as a a definitive guide to government regulations. Its use does not relieve individuals or organizations from their responsibilities under any or all applicable legislation.

Employers’ duties:

ensure the health, safety and welfare of workers and those not in his/her employ;
maintain a healthy and safe workplace, systems, equipment, tools;
provide information, instruction, training, and supervision, required by the Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations and other associated legislation;
provide operating instruction for the use of devices/equipment;
ensure workers are aware of hazards;
establish an OH&S committee/worker health and safety representative/workplace health and safety designate as required and consult/co-operate with them;
respond in writing to recommendations of the OH&S committee/worker health and safety representative/workplace health and safety designate and provide them with periodic written updates on implementation;
make arrangements for, and consult with the OH&S committee/worker health and safety representative/workplace health and safety designate during workplace inspections;
co-operate with anyone exercising a duty imposed under OH&S legislation;
ensure safety clothing/equipment/devices are used;
ensure safety procedures are followed at all times; and
notify the Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for OH&S of a workplace accident that results in or has the potential to result in a serious injury or death.