Your health and safety rights and responsibilities
Employers
As an employer, you have the responsibility to:
Keep a safe and well-maintained workplace
You are required by law to take all reasonable precautions to protect your workers from illness or injury.
Provide hazard information, proper safety equipment, training and competent supervision
- Provide first aid training and first aid kits
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act requires you to provide specific first aid equipment and training for your workers. See a list of approved first aid trainers. For more information, download the First Aid Regulations (250.2kb, PDF) brochure.
- Post the WSIB "In Case of Injury at Work" Poster (Form 82)
Put the poster in a prominent place. This poster is available in several languages and you can order one by calling us at 1-800-387-0750 or 416-344-1000, Monday to Friday from 730am to 5pm.
- Post the Occupational Health and Safety Act
The Act is conveniently printed as a small green book. It, too, should be posted in a prominent place. You can also view the Occupational Health and Safety Act online.
- Have worker representation for health and safety
If you have 20 or more workers or deal with a designated substance (Acrylonitrile, Arsenic, Asbestos, Benzene, Coke Oven Emissions, Ethylene Oxide, Isocyanates, Lead, Mercury, Silica, Vinyl Chloride), you must maintain a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC).
Construction projects lasting more than three months with 20 workers or more must also have a JHSC. Workplaces with more than 5 workers but fewer than 20 are required to have a Health and Safety Representative.
Follow proper procedures in case of injury:
- Give first aid immediately
- Get the person to a doctor or hospital if necessary
- Investigate the incident and report the injury without delay to the WSIB, our new and improved eForm 7 makes it quick and easy to report a workplace injury /illness online
- If possible, have the worker sign your Form 7. This signature permits the worker's doctor to send you a report that helps identify what tasks your worker can take on during recovery.
- Pay a full day's wages for the day of the injury. WSIB benefits begin the next working day after the injury occurs
What are the penalties for failing to comply with any of these employer responsibilities?
People failing to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act are subject to fines of up to $25,000 and/or up to a year's imprisonment. Corporations can be fined up to $500,000.
Employers are also subject to penalties for failing to report to the WSIB within three days of learning of a workplace injury or illness and other violations of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
Supervisors
As supervisor, you have the responsibility to:
Provide a safe workplace and assign safe work
You are required by law to take all reasonable precautions to protect your workers from illness or injury.
Provide training and information
Inform your workers of job hazards and train them to do their jobs safely.
Provide supervision
You must supervise your workers to ensure that they work safely and use equipment and protective devices properly where required.
What are the penalties for failing to comply with any of these responsibilities?
People failing to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act are subject to fines of up to $25,000.
Workers
As a worker, you have the right to:
Know about danger
Your employer must tell you about hazardous materials or equipment used in your workplace. You should also receive training before using any such materials or equipment.
Participate in making your workplace safe
You're an important part of workplace safety. Ask your employer or contact your worker health and safety representative to find out how you can help. They have information and materials you can use to make a difference.
Refuse unsafe work
If you believe your work is unsafe you can refuse that work until the situation is corrected. You must, however, tell your supervisor immediately. In the meantime, you should remain in a safe place near your workstation. You cannot be suspended, fired, or docked pay for refusing unsafe work.
As a worker, you have the responsibility to:
Work safely
Don't take risks. You might injure yourself or another worker.
Report unsafe conditions
If you see anything that looks unsafe, tell your supervisor or employer immediately. Don't wait until someone gets hurt.
Wear the right safety equipment for the job
Wear your protective clothing and equipment, and get trained to use it properly.
Ask your employer first
Your employer needs to know about your concerns and questions about health and safety issues, and take the necessary measures to avoid injuries.
For more information, you can view the Occupational Health and Safety Act online.
