Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one of the main reasons for workplace injuries?
What is one of the main reasons for workplace injuries?
Which of the following is a right of workers under health and safety regulations?
Which of the following is a right of workers under health and safety regulations?
What does the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) primarily outline?
What does the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) primarily outline?
What role do government inspectors play in workplace safety?
What role do government inspectors play in workplace safety?
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Which cost-related aspect is crucial for understanding workplace safety?
Which cost-related aspect is crucial for understanding workplace safety?
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What are workers expected to do to maintain workplace safety?
What are workers expected to do to maintain workplace safety?
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What is a consequence of poor safety practices in the workplace?
What is a consequence of poor safety practices in the workplace?
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Which of the following best describes the 'internal responsibility system'?
Which of the following best describes the 'internal responsibility system'?
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What is the primary responsibility of employers regarding workplace safety?
What is the primary responsibility of employers regarding workplace safety?
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Which right allows workers to engage in workplace health and safety initiatives?
Which right allows workers to engage in workplace health and safety initiatives?
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Under what circumstance can a worker refuse unsafe work?
Under what circumstance can a worker refuse unsafe work?
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What is one responsibility of supervisors in ensuring workplace safety?
What is one responsibility of supervisors in ensuring workplace safety?
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What aspect of safety training is particularly emphasized for new or young workers?
What aspect of safety training is particularly emphasized for new or young workers?
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Who are considered workers under specific jurisdictions in Canada?
Who are considered workers under specific jurisdictions in Canada?
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Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the employer under Workplace Safety regulations?
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the employer under Workplace Safety regulations?
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What should supervisors do regularly to maintain workplace safety?
What should supervisors do regularly to maintain workplace safety?
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What fundamental duty does engineering ethics emphasize?
What fundamental duty does engineering ethics emphasize?
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What is a key component of employee orientation training for health and safety?
What is a key component of employee orientation training for health and safety?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Health and Safety
- Focuses on motivation for safety practices and their importance
- Outlines consequences of poor safety practices, including fatalities and liabilities
- Explains internal responsibility system and due diligence in workplaces
- Discusses professional responsibility and ethics related to health and safety
- Differentiates rights and responsibilities of workers, supervisors, and employers
- Describes the content of safety orientation training programs
Costs, Components, and Responsibilities
- Every workplace has potential hazards
- Employers, supervisors, and workers have legal duties to prevent injuries and illnesses
- Understanding causes and costs of workplace injuries is essential
- Knowledge of health and safety laws and regulations is crucial
Causes of Workplace Injuries
- Approximately 1000 workplace fatalities occur annually in Canada
- Workplace injuries impact families, friends, colleagues, and wider communities
- Five main causes of workplace injuries:
- Lack of safety training
- Inadequate supervision
- Fear of asking questions/lack of knowledge
- Insufficient experience for new workers
- Distraction, weariness, balancing work and outside activities
Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
- Outlines employer, supervisor, and worker duties and rights
- Provides specific requirements for different workplaces, professions, and hazards
- Includes regulations for working safely with hazardous materials (training, warnings, information sheets)
- Specific regulations apply to diverse workplaces (construction, healthcare, industrial, mines, etc.)
Role of Government
- Each province has a health and safety body (often in a ministry of health or labour)
- Government inspectors enforce health, safety, and labour laws
- Conduct unannounced workplace inspections
- Issue work-related orders and stop unsafe work practices
- Investigate complaints, work refusals, incidents, and fatalities
- Issue tickets and lay charges
Worker Rights
- "Right to know," "right to participate," and "right to refuse" are core worker rights
- Right to know: Employers provide information about workplace hazards
- Right to participate: Workers participate in health and safety committees or as representatives
- Right to refuse: Workers can refuse unsafe work if they reasonably believe it poses a risk
Work Refusal Process for Unsafe Work
- Workers can refuse unsafe work and provide details to the employer
- Refusal is not automatic, and local guidelines apply
Student as Worker
- Provincial jurisdictions define when students are considered workers (internships, monetary compensation)
Employer Role and Responsibilities
- Responsible for worker safety
- Ensure workers are aware of hazards
- Develop health and safety policies and procedures
- Ensure supervisor training on health and safety
- Ensure everyone knows and follows health and safety procedures
- Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
Supervisor Role and Responsibilities
- Similar responsibilities for worker safety as employers
- Know OHSA and regulations; maintain a safety-focused culture
- Identify hazards, communicate to workers, enforce policies and procedures
- Monitor work, advise on practices, ensure safe equipment use
Considerations for Supervisors
- Document and respond to safety issues appropriately
- Check machinery operation
- Supervise work procedures to prevent errors
- Routinely inspect for hazards; gather worker feedback
Worker Role and Responsibilities
- Follow laws and company health and safety policies & procedures
- Use required personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Act safely to prevent harm to self and others
- Report unsafe conditions or violations immediately
Safety is a Legal Requirement
- Provincial legislation dictates necessary safety procedures
- All individuals involved (academic staff, principle investigators, students) have duties and obligations
Safety Delivered on our Moral Imperative
- Institutionally considers students and instructors as a workplace's people, necessitating a strong health and safety program
Identifying Hazards and Potential Hazards
- Employers must provide readily available safety information (including OHSA)
- Regularly identify hazards and potential hazards (e.g., machinery function, warnings, moving equipment, trip hazards)
Employee Orientation Training for Health and Safety
- All employees, interns, and students require thorough training
- Training must include employer contact details, health and safety committees, rights and responsibilities
- Details on health and safety procedures, codes of practice, first aid, incident reporting, emergency preparedness, and PPE (especially for new/young workers) are crucial
Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
- Engineering profession, through provincial bodies, defines ethical behavior
- Engineering ethics prioritize public safety and professional integrity
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