Worker’s guide to occupational health and safety

1 Worker's guide to occupational health and safety OHS information for workers This guide will help you understand Alberta's These regulations set specific rules and work occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation and together with the OHS Act. your role as a worker - in ensuring health and ed safety at the work site. This guide introduces what Does Alberta's OHS legislation you need to do to comply with the legislation and apply to me? make your work site a healthier and safer place. The OHS Act, Regulations and Code apply to most workers and employers in Alberta, unless you are: Key information t under federal jurisdiction (for example, Canadian da The internal responsibility system is the chartered banks, interprovincial transportation foundation of Alberta OHS legislation.)

2 Companies, television and radio broadcasters, Workers have three fundamental rights etc.); or under the OHS Act. a farm and ranch operations owner, family The right to know. member of the owner or non-waged individual. up The right to participate. If you are a farm and ranch waged, non-family The right to refuse dangerous work. worker, you are covered by the basic safety Workers have a responsibility to work standards set out in the OHS Act only. safely and ensure the safety of If you are a domestic worker (such as a nanny and themselves and others. housekeeper), you are covered by the OHS Act and its regulations. be Our goal health and safety Contact the Alberta OHS Contact Centre if you The internal responsibility system is a foundational have questions or concerns about occupational principle of OHS legislation.

3 Its core premise is that health and safety . everyone including workers and employers is 1-866-415-8690 anywhere in Alberta To accountable for workplace health and safety , each 780-415-8690 Edmonton and area according to their authority and level of control. Alberta's OHS Act is an important piece of legislation that affects you. It outlines your rights and The OHS Act, Regulations and responsibilities as a worker, as well as the Code responsibilities of your employer and others at the The OHS Act, Regulations and Code provide rules . work site. The OHS Act sets minimum standards to to help keep your work site healthy and safe. protect and promote the health and safety of workers throughout Alberta.

4 OHS legislation also The OHS Act gives the government authority to includes regulations made under the OHS Act. make regulations and codes (rules) about health and safety in the workplace. Worker's guide to occupational health and safety 2020 Government of Alberta | June 2020 | LI008. 2. The regulations address requirements related to Your employer general administrative matters and broad health and safety rules and regulations. It is important to know who your employer is because the OHS Act says employers must do The OHS Code specifies detailed technical everything they reasonably can to protect your standards and health and safety rules that work site health , safety and welfare.

5 For example, employers parties must comply with to fulfill their obligations. have to identify and assess hazards at the Technical requirements cover areas such as workplace to control or eliminate them and keep chemical hazards, equipment safety , first aid, equipment in safe working order. harassment, violence and noise to name a few. An employer is: Role of Alberta OHS anyone who employs or engages one or more ed workers, including workers from a temporary OHS administers and enforces the Alberta staffing agency;. government's OHS legislation. Resources are anyone designated to represent an employer; or available to help you: anyone responsible for overseeing workers'.

6 Understand work site parties' rights and health and safety within an organization. t responsibilities, da Employers have a responsibility to: meet the requirements of the legislation, and ensure that health , safety and welfare of workers prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities. and the public is maintained at the workplace;. If you have questions related to OHS legislation or provide competent supervisors;. workplace health and safety , call the Alberta OHS make sure you are trained and have the proper up Contact Centre. skills to perform your job;. prevent workplace harassment and violence; and 1-866-415-8690 anywhere in Alberta work with the joint work site health and safety 780-415-8690 Edmonton and surrounding area committee (HSC) or health and safety OHS officers attend work sites to perform representative (HS.)

7 Inspections, conduct investigations, respond to representative), as applicable. inquiries and carry out tests necessary to determine be Details about employer's compliance with the OHS legislation. responsibilities are described in Alberta WCB Employer's guide to occupational Sometimes people mistake Alberta OHS for the health and safety . Workers' Compensation Board (WCB). While both report to the Minister responsible for Labour and You have the right to a safe and To Immigration, Alberta OHS is a separate entity from healthy workplace the WCB. Workers need to be aware of their rights and The WCB's role is to see that the Workers' responsibilities under the internal responsibility system.

8 Compensation Act is followed, provide rehabilitation Workers have three programs for workers suffering from job-related fundamental rights under injuries and illnesses, and work with Alberta OHS, the OHS Act. industry and labour to help reduce the number of workers getting hurt or sick. The WCB oversees the The right to know. insurance plan funded by employers that pays The right to participate. workers who are injured on the job or develop illness The right to refuse caused by their work. dangerous work. Worker's guide to occupational health and safety 2020 Government of Alberta | June 2020 | LI008. 3. 1. Know about health and safety representatives and Participation in health and You have the right to know about workplace hazards safety for small business owners and workers.

9 And have access to health and safety information at 3. Refuse dangerous work the work site. Workers may refuse to undertake tasks or Your employer has the responsibility to make you assignments that they are either unable or not aware of your rights and duties under the OHS prepared to do in a healthy and safe manner. You legislation. Your employer must also provide you have the right to refuse dangerous work if you have information about hazards at the work site, controls reasonable grounds to believe that there is a used to eliminate or control the hazards and any dangerous condition at the work site, or that the relevant work practices and procedures.

10 Work is dangerous to you or any other person. ed health and safety hazards that are not normal for If hazardous products (such as dangerous the job, or normal hazards that are not properly substances or chemicals) are used in the workplace, controlled, are considered dangerous conditions that your employer must provide you with appropriate could trigger a work refusal. labels and safety data sheets. Your employer must also make sure you are appropriately trained on how If you determine you need to refuse to do particular t to handle hazardous materials. Additional training is work, you must promptly report the refusal and the da required for how to safely use equipment, and how reasons for it to your employer, supervisor or to select and use personal protective equipment.