Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)?
What is the primary purpose of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)?
Which document triggered the articulation of workers' rights in Ontario in 1976?
Which document triggered the articulation of workers' rights in Ontario in 1976?
What year did the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) undergo significant changes?
What year did the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) undergo significant changes?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three basic rights of workers established by the Royal Commission?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three basic rights of workers established by the Royal Commission?
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The Factory Act of 1884 in Ontario was significant because it established what?
The Factory Act of 1884 in Ontario was significant because it established what?
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How did the Industrial Revolution impact occupational health and safety?
How did the Industrial Revolution impact occupational health and safety?
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What is one of the duties emphasized by the OHSA for employers?
What is one of the duties emphasized by the OHSA for employers?
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Which of the following best describes the evolution of health and safety legislation in Ontario since the Industrial Revolution?
Which of the following best describes the evolution of health and safety legislation in Ontario since the Industrial Revolution?
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What is the main principle of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) regarding workplace safety?
What is the main principle of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) regarding workplace safety?
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Which of the following groups is covered by the occupational health and safety act in Ontario?
Which of the following groups is covered by the occupational health and safety act in Ontario?
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Which workplace is specifically excluded from the Ontario health and safety act?
Which workplace is specifically excluded from the Ontario health and safety act?
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What does the Right to Refuse Work allow workers to do?
What does the Right to Refuse Work allow workers to do?
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What is one of the duties imposed on employers according to the act?
What is one of the duties imposed on employers according to the act?
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Which legislative authority is responsible if the Internal Responsibility System is ineffective?
Which legislative authority is responsible if the Internal Responsibility System is ineffective?
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Which statement correctly describes the Right to Know for workers?
Which statement correctly describes the Right to Know for workers?
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What event catalyzed the creation of the Industrial Safety Act of 1964?
What event catalyzed the creation of the Industrial Safety Act of 1964?
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What was a consequence of the Elliot Lake Miner Strike in 1974?
What was a consequence of the Elliot Lake Miner Strike in 1974?
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What legislation was amended in 2004 as a result of the Westray Mine Disaster?
What legislation was amended in 2004 as a result of the Westray Mine Disaster?
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Which of the following hazards were miners exposed to during the Elliot Lake Mine protests?
Which of the following hazards were miners exposed to during the Elliot Lake Mine protests?
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The phrase 'to leave work in the same state they entered' refers to which fundamental goal?
The phrase 'to leave work in the same state they entered' refers to which fundamental goal?
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What specific issue prompted workers to band together after the Hoggs Hollow Disaster?
What specific issue prompted workers to band together after the Hoggs Hollow Disaster?
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Which type of event is highlighted as being influential in shaping labor laws?
Which type of event is highlighted as being influential in shaping labor laws?
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How did the Westray Mine disaster contribute to corporate accountability?
How did the Westray Mine disaster contribute to corporate accountability?
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What is one of the primary responsibilities of supervisors regarding worker safety?
What is one of the primary responsibilities of supervisors regarding worker safety?
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Which of the following is NOT a duty of workers concerning workplace safety?
Which of the following is NOT a duty of workers concerning workplace safety?
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What must be in place at a workplace with twenty or more regularly employed workers?
What must be in place at a workplace with twenty or more regularly employed workers?
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How should workers respond if they notice a defect in protective equipment?
How should workers respond if they notice a defect in protective equipment?
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What is a key role of a joint health and safety committee (JHSC)?
What is a key role of a joint health and safety committee (JHSC)?
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What should supervisors do when they become aware of a potential danger to a worker's safety?
What should supervisors do when they become aware of a potential danger to a worker's safety?
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What factor determines the requirement for a joint health and safety committee (JHSC) at a workplace?
What factor determines the requirement for a joint health and safety committee (JHSC) at a workplace?
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Which action should a worker avoid to maintain a safe working environment?
Which action should a worker avoid to maintain a safe working environment?
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What is the minimum number of members required for a JHS committee in a workplace with fewer than fifty employees?
What is the minimum number of members required for a JHS committee in a workplace with fewer than fifty employees?
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Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a competent person defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Act?
Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a competent person defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Act?
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Can a supervisor face personal charges for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario?
Can a supervisor face personal charges for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario?
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How should a supervisor respond to an employee who believes a task is unsafe?
How should a supervisor respond to an employee who believes a task is unsafe?
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Which year marked the introduction of the right to refuse unsafe work in Canada?
Which year marked the introduction of the right to refuse unsafe work in Canada?
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Which of the following best describes a characteristic of today's health and safety movement?
Which of the following best describes a characteristic of today's health and safety movement?
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What significant health and safety legislation was enacted in Canada in 2004?
What significant health and safety legislation was enacted in Canada in 2004?
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Which professional role is typically part of a health and safety team in a large company?
Which professional role is typically part of a health and safety team in a large company?
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Study Notes
History of Occupational Health and Safety
- Occupational injuries and illnesses have existed throughout history, evidenced by respiratory problems in ancient Egyptian stonemasons.
- The Industrial Revolution introduced new hazards like asbestos and oils.
- Ontario's 1884 Factory Act established vague safety standards.
- By the 1900s, all Canadian provinces had laws covering workplace heating, lighting, ventilation, hygiene, fire safety, and accident reporting.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Worker Rights
- The 1974 Royal Commission on the Health and Safety of Workers in Mines established three core worker rights: the right to refuse dangerous work, the right to participate in identifying and correcting health and safety problems, and the right to know about workplace hazards.
- The OHSA aims to ensure safe working environments, including quantifiable guidelines on exposure to various hazards.
- A fundamental worker right is to leave work in the same condition as they entered it.
Key Events Shaping OHSA
- The 1960 Hoggs Hollow Disaster, where five workers died due to unsafe conditions, prompted the 1964 Industrial Safety Act, focusing on worker safety.
- The 1974 Elliot Lake Miner Strike, demonstrating unsafe conditions in uranium mines, catalyzed the development of the OHSA in 1979 and emphasized the Internal Responsibility System (IRS).
- The 1992 Westray Mine Disaster, resulting from negligence, led to Bill C-45 (2004), holding corporate directors and officers accountable for criminal negligence in the workplace.
Internal Responsibility System (IRS)
- The IRS is the foundational philosophy of Canadian occupational health and safety legislation.
- It holds both employers and employees responsible for their own safety and the safety of their coworkers.
Enforcement and Coverage of the OHSA
- The Ministry of Labour (MOL) enforces the OHSA if the IRS fails to address health and safety issues.
- Most workers, supervisors, employers, and workplaces in Ontario are covered by the OHSA. Exceptions include work done in private residences, some farming operations, and workplaces under federal jurisdiction (covered by the Canada Labor Code).
Worker, Employer, and Supervisor Duties
- Worker Rights: Right to participate in identifying and resolving health and safety concerns; right to know about hazards (through WHMIS); right to refuse dangerous work.
- Employer Duties: To take all reasonable precautions to protect worker health and safety.
- Supervisor Duties: To ensure workers use required protective devices and procedures; to inform workers of dangers; to provide safety instructions; and to take reasonable precautions for worker protection.
- Worker Duties: To comply with the Act and regulations; to report defects or hazards; to avoid endangering themselves or others.
Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs)
- JHSCs are required in workplaces with 20 or more workers, workplaces under section 33 orders, or where regulations on designated substances apply (excluding construction projects with fewer than 20 workers), to identify hazards, make recommendations for improvement, and establish monitoring programs.
- Composition: At least two members for workplaces with fewer than 50 workers; at least four for workplaces with 50 or more workers.
Challenge Questions
- Challenge Question 1: A competent person possesses the knowledge, training, and experience to organize work and is familiar with relevant legislation and potential hazards.
- Challenge Question 2: Yes, a supervisor can be charged personally for OHSA violations.
- Challenge Question 3: Option A (discussing the concern and establishing a process for investigation and resolution) is the appropriate response. Ignoring the issue is unacceptable.
Summary of Key Themes
- Occupational health and safety awareness has a long history, evolving through legislation, tragedies, and labor movements.
- Key milestones include workers' compensation programs, the right to refuse unsafe work, WHMIS, and Bill C-45.
- Modern health and safety teams often comprise diverse professionals.
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Description
Explore the evolution of occupational health and safety, starting from ancient practices to modern regulations. This quiz covers key historical events, legal frameworks, and fundamental worker rights, providing a comprehensive understanding of workplace safety standards. Test your knowledge on important legislations like the OHSA and worker rights established through various commissions.
