Whether you work in a factory or in an office environment, all Ontario workers are guaranteed rights and protections to ensure they can complete their tasks safely. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that their workplace follows provincial health and safety guidelines. It is also the employee’s responsibility to abide by the employer’s health and safety provisions.

As an employee, you need to understand your rights, especially if you work with heavy machinery and toxic chemicals. Here are some things to remember about your workplace rights in Ontario.

What Is the Ontario Health and Safety Act?

The Ontario Health Safety Act, abbreviated as OSHA, keeps Ontario workers safe by ensuring employers understand what provisions must be put in place to prevent accidents and how to address accidents when they occur properly. OSHA helps keep health and safety guidelines a priority in the workplace as employers must take the necessary steps to comply with legal requirements.

Who Does the Ontario Health and Safety Act Cover?

OHSA is in place to protect the health and wellbeing of all workers in Ontario regardless of their official job title. Whether they are standard employees, temporary workers, managers, owners, shipping and receiving staff, OSHA applies to every worker in Ontario.

What Rights are Given Under the Ontario Health and Safety Act?

Under OSHA, all Ontario workers are entitled to participate in addressing and correcting health and safety concerns in the workplace. Furthermore, all employees have the right to information pertaining to existing health and safety concerns in the workplace. Additionally, all Ontario workers have the right to refuse work if they feel their health and safety are being put at risk. OSHA is designed to protect workers who utilize these rights from being reprimanded.

What are Employee Responsibilities in The Workplace?

As an employee, it’s your responsibility to do everything you can to keep yourself and your fellow coworkers safe, and that includes behaving in a work-appropriate manner. Some of the things you may be responsible for include:

  • Wearing protective clothing as required in terms of your employment.
  • Alerting management about defective or faulty equipment in the workplace.
  • Reporting any known workplace hazards to your supervisor.
  • Carefully handling personal protective equipment that is shared with other employees.

Nothing is more important than your health, safety and wellbeing. In Ontario, workers are protected, and you must do all you can to keep yourself and others safe from accidents. If you’ve sustained an injury while working in Ontario, you need to know your rights. For more information on your workplace rights, contact Paul Duarte & Associates today.