Workplace Safety = Minimizing Hazards
Studies show that new and young workers in Ontario are four times more likely to get injured during their first month on the job than at any other time. That’s because they often aren’t told about or don’t understand the hazards of the job.
In addition, the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada last reported in 2017, that there were 951 workplace fatalities recorded in Canada. Among these deaths, twenty-three were young workers: nineteen aged 20-24 and four aged 15-19. During the same period, 31,441 young workers lost time due to a work-related injury or disease: 23,269 between the ages of 20-24 and 8,172 between the ages of 15-19.
Often new employees do not know what to expect from their employer, their supervisor and of themselves. Sometimes they aren’t sure what questions to ask. Sometimes they don’t even know whom to ask.
Ensure that Each Employee Knows:
- The specific hazards in your workplace.
- The internal procedure to follow when reporting health and safety concerns, incidents or injuries.
- Any appropriate personal protective clothing, equipment and/or devices that are required to wear or use.
- Where the company’s health and safety policy is posted (in workplaces with more than 5 workers).
- Where the first aid station is and the names of qualified first aid providers.
- The company’s emergency preparedness plan.
- Information on hazardous materials in your workplace, (WHMIS).
- The workplace violence and harassment prevention policy.
- Where a copy of the OHSA is posted.
- Where the names of your Joint Health and Safety Committee members or Health and Safety Representative are posted.
Employers and Employees should always be on the lookout for hazards to themselves and others.
Before you start your workday or job task, ask yourself:
- Is any of the machinery broken?
- Are there warning labels or signs?
- Is there any moving equipment I could get caught in?
- Is there something I could slip or trip on?
- Do I need appropriate PPE, if so is it in good working order?
- Do I know how to do this job safely?
Common Workplace Injuries
- Repetitive motion, especially if you are in an awkward position, or you use a lot of force. Think of someone who lifts heavy items over and over again, especially above the shoulders or below the knees.
- Slipping, tripping or falling. Think of something as simple as spilled liquid on the floor, a cluttered work area, or a raised platform with no guardrails.
- Working near motorized vehicles. Think of being hit by a moving vehicle or forklift that is backing up in a warehouse or on a loading dock.
- Using or working near machinery. Over the years, many workers have been killed or seriously injured by the equipment they have operated.
- Workplace violence, It can happen in any workplace, offices, factories or a gas station attendant working alone.
Safety Duties of the Employer
There are specific duties assigned to every employer under the OHSA. They are to do as part of their job:
- Make sure workers know about hazards and dangers in the workplace and how to work safely.
- Make sure every supervisor knows how to take care of health and safety on the job.
- Create health and safety policies and procedures for the workplace.
- Make sure everyone knows and follows the health and safety procedures.
- Make sure workers wear and use the appropriate personal protective clothing, equipment and/or devices (PPE).
- Do everything reasonable to keep workers from being injured or sick on the job.
Safety Duties of the Supervisor
Under the OHSA, every supervisor is also considered to be a worker and has the same workplace duties and rights as a worker. As well, under the OHSA every supervisor has the responsibility as part of their job to:
- Inform workers about hazards and dangers in the workplace and show them how to work safely.
- Make sure workers follow the law and the workplace health and safety policies and procedures.
- Make sure workers wear and use the appropriate PPE.
- Do everything reasonable to keep workers from being injured or sick on the job.
Safety Duties of the Worker
Lastly, the worker has the duty under the OHSA as part of their job to:
- Obey the OHSA and all workplace health and safety policies and procedures.
- Always wear or use the appropriate PPE that the employer requires.
- Work and act in a way that won’t injure themselves or any other worker.
- Report any hazard they find in the workplace to their supervisor.
As the spring approaches, you may be looking to hire summer students, we hope that safety prevention will be part of your orientation process.
Founded in 1997, HR Proactive Inc. is a Canada-wide Compliance Training Company specializing in Young Worker Health & Safety Awareness Training.
