Lecture 09: Occupational Health And Safety (OHS)
Exam With Complete Solutions
Explain why OHS is an 'HR issue' and describe the strategic importance of OHS - answer
-sets standards and policies that protect both employees and employers
-HR's role and responsibility is to keep people safe, and manage any incidents that
occur.
-if HR fails to implement safe practices and monitor unsafe behaviour, legal suits can be
in order.
-Strategic importance: investment in disability and wellness programs create
bottom-line returns. In 2007 there were 1,055 deaths and 317,524 injuries resulting in
accidents at work
-Workplace accidents can be prevented
Describe the changing attitude towards OHS in Canada over the last century - answer
-Triangle ShirtWaist Factory- women were burned alive because of a fire breaking out
and the door were locked.
-Assumption of Risk by employers
-Accident prevention is more prevalent "Better safe then sorry"
-Modern health and safety programs recognize that enhancing OHS requires
cooperation among multiple stakeholders
Under OHS legislation, describe the responsibilities of employers - answer Employers
must take actions to ensure the health and safety of workers, specific duties include:
-Filing accident reports
-Maintaining records
-making sure safety rules are enforced
-Posting safety notices and legislative information
Under OHS legislation, describe the responsibilities of supervisors - answer -must
ensure that workers comply with occupational health and safety regulations
-advise and instruct workers about safety
-aim to instill in their workers the desire to work safely
, Under OHS legislation, describe the responsibilities of employees - answer -Employees
must take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety, and that of
co-workers.
-wearing protective clothing and equipment, and reporting contravention of the law.
three rights of employees afforded by OHS legislation - answer -The right to know about
workplace safety hazards
-The right to participate in the OHS process
-The right to refuse unsafe work
The right to know about workplace safety hazards - answer -WHMIS legislation has 3
elements-
1. Labels designed to alert the worker that the container contains a potentially
hazardous product
2. Material safety data sheets (MSDSs) outlining a product's potentially hazardous
ingredients and procedures for safe handling of the product
3. Employee training
The right to participate in the OHS process - answer -Required by law
-Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC)
-Managers and labour workers come together to ensure a safe and healthy workplace
-2-12 members, half represent workers
The right to refuse unsafe work - answer -Workers cannot be punished for refusing
unsafe work
-Not all professions have this right, if it is a bona fide necessity (i.e firefighters, and
police officers)
Describe how OHS laws are enforced - answer -Government inspectors periodically
carry out inspections of workplaces
-Penalties include fines and/or jail terms
-"Corporate Killing": a criminal offence, failure to ensure an appropriate level of safety
in the workplace
Consequences for OHS Violations - answer -C-45, the "Westray Bill": criminal
negligence causing death/bodily harm
-indirect liability is assumed by employers
Exam With Complete Solutions
Explain why OHS is an 'HR issue' and describe the strategic importance of OHS - answer
-sets standards and policies that protect both employees and employers
-HR's role and responsibility is to keep people safe, and manage any incidents that
occur.
-if HR fails to implement safe practices and monitor unsafe behaviour, legal suits can be
in order.
-Strategic importance: investment in disability and wellness programs create
bottom-line returns. In 2007 there were 1,055 deaths and 317,524 injuries resulting in
accidents at work
-Workplace accidents can be prevented
Describe the changing attitude towards OHS in Canada over the last century - answer
-Triangle ShirtWaist Factory- women were burned alive because of a fire breaking out
and the door were locked.
-Assumption of Risk by employers
-Accident prevention is more prevalent "Better safe then sorry"
-Modern health and safety programs recognize that enhancing OHS requires
cooperation among multiple stakeholders
Under OHS legislation, describe the responsibilities of employers - answer Employers
must take actions to ensure the health and safety of workers, specific duties include:
-Filing accident reports
-Maintaining records
-making sure safety rules are enforced
-Posting safety notices and legislative information
Under OHS legislation, describe the responsibilities of supervisors - answer -must
ensure that workers comply with occupational health and safety regulations
-advise and instruct workers about safety
-aim to instill in their workers the desire to work safely
, Under OHS legislation, describe the responsibilities of employees - answer -Employees
must take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety, and that of
co-workers.
-wearing protective clothing and equipment, and reporting contravention of the law.
three rights of employees afforded by OHS legislation - answer -The right to know about
workplace safety hazards
-The right to participate in the OHS process
-The right to refuse unsafe work
The right to know about workplace safety hazards - answer -WHMIS legislation has 3
elements-
1. Labels designed to alert the worker that the container contains a potentially
hazardous product
2. Material safety data sheets (MSDSs) outlining a product's potentially hazardous
ingredients and procedures for safe handling of the product
3. Employee training
The right to participate in the OHS process - answer -Required by law
-Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC)
-Managers and labour workers come together to ensure a safe and healthy workplace
-2-12 members, half represent workers
The right to refuse unsafe work - answer -Workers cannot be punished for refusing
unsafe work
-Not all professions have this right, if it is a bona fide necessity (i.e firefighters, and
police officers)
Describe how OHS laws are enforced - answer -Government inspectors periodically
carry out inspections of workplaces
-Penalties include fines and/or jail terms
-"Corporate Killing": a criminal offence, failure to ensure an appropriate level of safety
in the workplace
Consequences for OHS Violations - answer -C-45, the "Westray Bill": criminal
negligence causing death/bodily harm
-indirect liability is assumed by employers
