A Worker’s Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety ActMarch 2017

Introduction

ByTerriAversa,SeniorHealthandSafetyOfficer

OPSEUproducesandregularlyupdatesthisguidetoprovidememberswithbasicinformationandinterpretationoftheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct(OHSA).Itanswerskeyquestionsaboutyourrightsandyouremployer’slegalobligationsanddescribesthepowersofJointHealthandSafetyCommittees(JHSC)andhealthandsafetyrepresentatives(HSR).Thehealthandsafetycaselawsectionisquiteold,butwillstillprovideyouwithsomeofthemajorrulingsonappealsandreprisalcomplaintsthatfurtherclarifytheapplicationoftheAct.

AmendmentstoOntario’s1979OccupationalHealthandSafetyActoftenfollowworkplacetragediesthatillustrateweaknessesinthelegislationandingovernmentenforcement.In2010,theActincludedworkplaceviolenceafterthetragicworkplacemurderofanurseinWindsor,Ontario.In2012,Bill160reorganizedOntario’shealthandsafetysystemwithanewpreventionofficeandotherchangesafterthesenselessdeathsonChristmasEve2009,whenfourconstructionworkersinTorontowerekilledandoneinjuredwhentheswing-stagetheywereworkingoncollapsed.

In2016,aftersomehigh-profileharassmentcomplaintshitthenews,theprovincialgovernmentusedBill132toamendtheOHSAinregardstoworkplacesexualharassmentandharassment.Thechangesmeanmoretransparencyandincludesome“naturaljustice”languagewithinanemployer’smandatoryharassmentprogram.Harassmentinvestigations,forexample,mustbe“appropriateinthe

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circumstances.”Complainantsandrespondentsmustreceive,inwriting,investigationresultsandinformationaboutcorrectiveactiontakenwhereharassmentisallegedand/orhasoccurred.Employersmustmaintainconfidentialityasmuchaspossibleunlessdisclosureisnecessarytoconductaninvestigation,takecorrectiveactionorconformtolaw.

Weknowthathealthandsafetyprotectiondoesnotcomeautomatically.Changedoesnotcomeaboutwhentheexpertsreleaseareportorthegovernmentchangesthelaw.Improvementscomeonlywhenworkersandtheiruniongobeyondfocusingonthe“technical”andbybecomingknowledgeactivists.Knowledgeactivistsdemandsafeandhealthyworkplaces,theydotheresearch,andinteractface-to-facewithworkerstodevelopcollectivestrategiesforaction.

Learnyourrightsasdescribedinthisbookletandusethemstrategicallytoparticipatecollectivelyinhealthandsafetyactivitiesinyourworkplace.Whetheryouareaworker,aunionstewardoryouhavetakenontheroleofahealthandsafetyrepresentativeorsitonaJointHealthandSafetyCommittee,youcanplayanimportantroleinmakingchange.Inturn,youreffortstoimprovehealthandsafetyinOntarioworkplacesshowemployers,policymakersandgovernmentsthatsafeandhealthyworkplacesareapriority,andthatOntariolawsneedtobestrengthened,notweakened,toprotectthelivesofOntarioworkers.Yourunioniscommittedtohelp—thisGuidehasbeenpreparedtoassistworkersintheseefforts.

January,2017

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AWorker’sGuidetotheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct

Contents

PartA: What’snew? 4

ApplicationoftheAct 7

PartB: Dutiesandresponsibilities 8

PartC: Yourrighttoparticipate 18

JointHealthandSafetyCommittees 18

Healthandsafetyrepresentatives 36

PartD: Yourrighttorefuseunsafework 38

PartE: Yourrighttobefreefromreprisals 48

PartF: Yourrighttoknow 50

PartG: Medicalrightsofworkers 55

PartH: Thepowertostopunsafework 56

PartI: Appealsandcomplaints 61

PartJ: Legalenforcement 67

PartK: Governmentregulatorypower 73

PartL: Healthandsafetycaselaw 77

PartM: OPSEUhealthandsafetypolicies 95

PartN: OPSEUhealthandsafetypublications 99andresources

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PARTA:What’snew?ThislatesteditionofOPSEU’sWorker’sGuideincorporatesinformationaboutkeychangesmadein2015-2016.

Newcertificationtrainingstandard• Certificationtrainingmustmeetthecriteriasetout

intheMinistryofLabour’s(MOL)“JointHealthandSafetyCommitteeCertificationTrainingProgramStandard”foundontheMOLwebsite.

• PartOnerequiresatleast19.5hoursofinstruction(threedays),ofwhich6.5hours(oneday)maybedeliveredbye-learning.PartTwotrainingmustbe13hours(twodays)minimum.PartTwomustbetakenwithinsixmonthsofPartOne.

• Arefreshercoursewillberequiredeverythreeyearsorcertificationwillexpire.

Bill132changesregardingsexualharassmentandharassment

• TheActincludesadefinitionofworkplacesexualharassmentandaddsworkplacesexualharassmenttothedefinitionofworkplaceharassment.

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• TheActaddsadditionalrequirementsforemployerstodevelopandmaintainaharassmentprogram(withJHSCconsultation)thatspecifies:

o Measuresandprocedurestoreportharassmenttosomeoneotherthantheemployeriftheemployeristheallegedharasser;

o Howinformationwillnotbediscloseduntilnecessarytoinvestigateortakecorrectiveaction;

o Thataninvestigationisconductedthatisappropriateinthecircumstances;

o Workersaregiventheresultsoftheinvestigationandinformationonanycorrectiveactioninwriting.Theallegedharasserwillgetthesameinformationiftheyarealsoanemployee.

• AcodeofpracticehasbeendevelopedforassistanceininterpretingthechangesandisavailableontheMOLwebsite.

Newnoiseregulation381/15• TheActsetsamaximumtime-weightednoise

exposurelimitof85-decibelsoveraneight-hourshiftextendedtoallworkerswhennoiserequirementsareremovedfromtheindustrialandminingregulationsThisisanewnoiseregulation,effectiveJuly1,2016.

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• Employersmustimplementahierarchyofcontrolstopreventnoiseexposure,includingengineeringcontrols,workplacepracticesandpersonalprotectiveequipment.

• Employersmustprovidetrainingandinstructiontoworkersusinghearingprotectiondevices.

Bill70amendmentstotheOHSAEffectiveDecember8,2016,Bill70,“BuildingOntarioUpforEveryone(BudgetMeasures)Act”amended26Acts,includingtheOHSA.Theamendments:

• Addadefinitionof“healthandsafetymanagementsystem”andallowtheChiefPreventionOfficer(CPO)tosetcriteriaforandpublishandamendstandardsthathealthandsafetymanagementsystemsmustmeetinordertobeconsideredaccreditedhealthandsafetysystemsinOntario.

• AllowtheCPOtorecognizeandaccreditanemployerwhoappliesiftheemployershowsthattheyareauserofanaccreditedhealthandsafetymanagementsystemoriftheyhavemetthecriteriasetforsuchastandard.

• AllowtheCPOtodelegatepowersregardingaccreditation(andsomeotherexistingprovisionsregardingcertificationtraining)toanyperson,includingpersonsoutsidetheMinistry.

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ApplicationoftheAct

Whoiscoveredbythelaw?

• TheOccupationalHealthandSafetyActcoversalmostallworkplacesinOntario.Aworkplaceisanyplace“at,upon,in,ornear”whereaworkerperformswork.TheActappliestoworkers,employers,supervisors,contractors,ownersofpremisesandsuppliersofmaterialsandequipment.

• PublicschoolanduniversityteachersarealsocoveredbywiththeenactmentofRegulations191and307.

• Farmingoperationssuchasmushroom,greenhouse,dairy,hog,cattleandpoultryfarmingarecoveredbytheActwiththeenactmentofRegulation414/05aslongastheyhaveatleast1paidworker.

• “Worker”intheOHSAalsoincludesco-opstudentsandunpaidinternsgivingthemthesamerightsaspaidemployees.

WhoisnotcoveredbytheAct?

• TheActdoesnotapplytoworkperformedbyanowner/occupantordomesticservantsinaprivateresidence.

Sec.3,Sub.1and2

• TheActdoesnotapplytoworkplacesunderthejurisdictionofthefederalgovernmentofCanada.

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PARTB:DutiesandResponsibilities

Whatarethedutiesoftheemployer?

Theemployermust:

• Takeallreasonableprecautionsfortheprotectionofworkers.Thisincludestakingappropriatemeasurestoprotectsusceptibleordisabledworkers(seePartL:Case#6,#7).

Sec.25,Sub.2(h)

• Provideinformation,instructionandsupervisionfortheprotectionofworkers.

Sec.25,Sub.2(a)

• EnsurethatallsupervisorshaveaworkingknowledgeoftheActandregulationsaswellasanyactualorpotentialhazardsattheworkplace.

Sec.25,Sub.2(c)(d)

• EnsureallequipmentrequiredbytheActorregulationsisprovided,maintainedingoodconditionandusedproperlybyworkers.

Sec.25,Sub.1(a)(b)(d)

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• Developandreviewannuallyawrittenhealthandsafetypolicy,postitintheworkplace,andmaintainaprogramforitsimplementation.

Sec.25,Sub.2(j)(k)

• EnsurethatworkpracticesrequiredbytheActandregulationsarecarriedout.

Sec.25,Sub.1(c)(d)

• Ensurethathealthandsafetycommitteesandrepresentativesareselectedasrequired.

Sec.8,Sub.1andSec.9,Sub.4

• Cooperateandaffordassistancetoajointcommitteeanditsmembersandhealthandsafetyrepresentativesincarryingouttheirduties.

Sec.25,Sub.2(e)

• Giveawrittenresponsetojointcommitteerecommendationswithin21days.Thismustincludeatimetableforimplementationorreasonsfornotagreeingwiththerecommendations.

Sec.9,Sub.20and21

• Providejointcommitteesandhealthandsafetyrepresentativeswithanyhealthandsafetyreportsinhis/herpossession.

Sec.25,Sub.2(l)

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• Adviseworkersoftheresultsofanyhealthandsafetyreportsinhis/herpossessionandmakecopiesavailableuponrequest.

Sec.25,Sub.2(m)

• Provideamedicalsurveillanceprogramforworkerswhererequiredbyregulation,payforallmedicaltestsandtravelexpenses,andprovidepaidtimeoffwork.

Sec.26,Sub.1(h)(i)andSub.3

• Carryouttrainingprogramsforworkers,supervisorsandcommitteememberswhererequiredbyregulation.

Sec.26,Sub.1(l)

• Preparewrittenpoliciestoaddressworkplaceviolenceandworkplaceharassmentandreviewthematleastannually.

Sec.32.0.1,Sub.1,2,3

• Developandmaintainaworkplaceharassmentprogramthatincludesmeasuresandprocedurestoreportharassment,includingreportingtosomeoneotherthantheemployeriftheemployeristheallegedharasser,howinformationwillnotbediscloseduntilnecessarytoinvestigateortakecorrectiveaction,howthematterwillbeinvestigatedanddealtwith,andhowcomplainantsandrespondentswillbeinformedofresultsandanycorrectiveactiontaken.

Sec.32.0.6,Sub.2

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• Theemployermustconsultwiththejointhealthandsafetycommitteeorhealthandsafetyrepresentativeinthedevelopmentandmaintenanceoftheharassmentprogram.

Sec.32.0.6,Sub.1

• Forharassmentcomplaintsandincidents,theemployermustperformaharassmentinvestigationthatisappropriateinthecircumstances.

Sec.32.0.7,Sub.1

• Theemployermustreviewtheharassmentprogramasoftenasnecessarybutatleastannuallytoensurethatitadequatelyimplementstheharassmentpolicy.

Sec.32.0.7,Sub.1

• Developandmaintainaworkplaceviolenceprogramthatincludesmeasuresandprocedurestocontroltherisks,measuresandproceduresforsummoningimmediateassistancewhenviolenceoccursorislikelytooccur,andthatdescribeshowworkerscanreportincidentsandhowemployerswillinvestigateincidentsorcomplaintsofworkplaceviolence.

Sec.32.0.2

• TheemployermustassesstherisksofworkplaceviolenceandadvisetheJHSCorhealthandsafetyrepresentativeoftheresultsoftheassessmentandprovideacopyifitisinwriting.Reassesstherisksasoftenasnecessarytoensurethattheworkplaceviolenceprogramcontinuestoprotectworkers.

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Sec.32.0.3

• Takeallreasonableprecautionstoprotectaworkerfromthehazardofdomesticviolencewhichmayendangeraworkerintheworkplace.Tomeetthisobligation,employersmustbe“awareoroughtreasonablytobeaware”ofthehazard.

Sec.32.0.4

• Theemployermustprovideworkerswithinformationandinstructiononthecontentsoftheworkplaceharassmentandviolencepoliciesandprograms.

Sec.32.0.5,Sub.2;Sec.32.0.7

• Provideaworkerwithinformation,includingpersonalinformationaboutapersonwithahistoryofviolentbehaviouriftheworkercanbeexpectedtoencounterthatpersonintheworkplaceandiftheworkerisatriskofphysicalinjury.Theemployerisnottodisclosemorepersonalinformationthanisreasonablynecessary.

Sec.32.0.5,Sub.3

• Ifaworkeriskilledorcriticallyinjuredatwork,theemployermustimmediatelyadviseanMOLinspectorthehealthandsafetyrepresentativeorJHSCandtheunion.Andwithin48hours,theemployermustsendtheMOLawrittenreportaccordingtotheregulations.

Sec.51,Sub1

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• Providewrittennoticewithinfourdaystothejointcommittee,healthandsafetyrepresentativeandthetradeunionwhenworkersaredisabledfromregularwork(losttimeornolosttime)orrequiremedicalattentionasaresultofanaccident,fire,explosionorincidentofworkplaceviolence.

Sec.52,Sub.1

• Givewrittennoticeofanyoccupationalillnessofcurrentandformeremployeestothejointcommittee,theunionandtheMinistryofLabourwithinfourdaysofbeingadvisedofsuchanillnessorwhereaWSIBclaimhasbeenfiledforsuchanillness.

Sec.52,Sub.2and3

• Postinspectors’ordersintheworkplaceandprovidejointcommitteesandhealthandsafetyrepresentativewithcopiesofthese.

Sec.57,Sub.10

Whatarethedutiesofsupervisors?

Asupervisormust:

• EnsurethatworkerscomplywiththeActandregulations.

Sec.27,Sub.1(a)

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• Ensurethatworkerswearoruserequiredprotectiveequipment,andfollowallrequiredmeasuresandprocedures.

Sec.27,Sub.1(b)

• Adviseworkersofallexistingandpotentialhazards,includingworkplaceviolence.

Sec.27,Sub.2(a)

• Providewritteninstructiontoworkersonmeasuresandprocedurestobetakenwhererequired.

Sec.27,Sub.2(b)

• Takeallprecautionsreasonableinthecircumstancefortheprotectionofworkers.

Sec.27,Sub.2(c)

• Thesupervisorisresponsibletoensurethatworkersfollowallsafetyprocedures.Itisnotenoughtowarnworkersaboutdangersorsafetyrules,andthenturnablindeyetoviolations.Theymusttellworkersaboutthehazardsandensurethattheyfollowthesafetyprocedures.

Whatarethedutiesofworkers?

• WorkersmustworkincompliancewiththeActandregulations.

Sec.28,Sub.1(a)

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• Workersarenotrequiredtoparticipateinmedicalsurveillanceprogramsunlesstheyconsenttodoso.However,underSection26,Sub.1(j)anemployercannotpermitaworkertoworkunlesstheworkerhasundergonemedicalexaminationsortestsrequiredbyaregulationandisfoundfittowork.

Sec.28,Sub.3

• Workersmustfollowallrequiredproceduresandwearoruseallrequiredprotectiveequipment.

Sec.28,Sub.1(a)(b)

• Workersmustreportallsafetydefectsinequipmentoranyhazardtothesupervisororemployer.

Sec.28,Sub.1(c)(d)

• Workersmustnotremoveanyrequiredprotectivedevices.

Sec.28,Sub.2(a)

• WorkersmustreportallviolationsoftheActandregulationsandhazardstothesupervisororemployer.

Sec.28,Sub.1(d)

• Workersmustnotworkinamannerorusedefectiveequipmentthatmightendangertheworkerandothers.Inthisinstanceaworkerhasalegalobligationtorefusework.

Sec.28,Sub.2(b)

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Whatarethedutiesofownersandconstructors?

• Anownermustdetermineifthereisadesignatedsubstanceonsite,preparealistofthesubstancesandprovidethislistaspartofanytenderinginformationandensurethatconstructorsreceiveacopybeforeenteringintoacontract.Theconstructormustensurethatallcontractorsorsubcontractorsreceiveacopybeforeenteringintoacontract.

Sec.30,Sub.1,2,3,4

• AconstructormustgivewrittennoticetotheMinistryofLabour,jointcommitteeorhealthandsafetyrepresentativeandthetradeunionofanyaccidentorunexpectedeventthatoccursonaprojectevenifnooneisinjured.

Sec.53

Whatarethedutiesofarchitectsandengineers?

• Architectsandengineersareliabletoprosecutioniftheiradviceorcertificationofastructureendangersworkers.

Sec.31,Sub.2

Whatarethedutiesofdirectorsandofficersofcorporations?

• OfficersanddirectorsarelegallyliabletoensurethatthereiscompliancewiththeAct,theregulationsandMOLorders.

Sec.32(a)

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Candirectorsandofficersbefoundcriminallyliable?

• Yes.Thelossof26minersintheWestraydisasterin1992ledtotheenactmentofBillC45in2004.BillC45makesaclearstatementintheCriminalCodethatwantonorrecklessdisregardforthesafetyofworkersandthepublicatlargeinaworkplacesettingisacriminaloffenceandthatcorporateexecutives,directorsandmanagerscouldbeheldcriminallyaccountable.

• TwoC-45convictionshaveoccurredinCanada(bothinQuebec).Apavingcompany(Transpave)wasfined$100,000inthedeathof23year-oldSteveL’Ecuyer,killedinOctober2005whiletryingtoremoveablockageinamachine.Andanownerofalandscapingcompanywassentencedto2yearslessadayinthecommunitywithacurfewwhenfoundguiltyofcriminalnegligencecausingdeathwhenemployeeAnielloBoccanfusowascrushedbyabackhoeagainstawallonJune12,2006.

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PARTC:Yourrighttoparticipate

Wherearejointhealthandsafetycommitteesrequired?

Jointcommitteesarerequiredinthefollowingworkplaces:

• Allworkplaceswhere20ormoreworkersareregularlyemployed.

Sec.9,Sub.2

• Allconstructionprojectswith20ormoreworkersandlastingmorethanthreemonths.

Sec.9,Sub.1(a)and2(a)

• Withtheexceptionofconstructionprojects,inthoseworkplaceswhereadesignatedsubstanceregulationsapplies.

Sec.9,Sub.2(c)

• Inanyworkplacewhereanorderhasbeenissuedundersection33oftheActtocontroltoxicsubstances.

Sec.9,Sub.2(b)

Howdoyoucalculatethenumberofworkers?

• Todeterminethenumberofworkersinyourworkplace,thetotalnumberofallfull-timeandpart-timeworkers

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onallshiftsmustbeincluded.Aworkerdoesnothavetobeontheworksiteforafulleighthourstobecounted,aslongasthereisaconsistentpatternofemployment.Managersandsupervisorsarealsocounted.

(SeeCases#24and#25)

Whatworkplacesareexcludedfromhavingjointcommittees?

• Aconstructionprojectlastinglessthanthreemonths.

Sec.9,Sub.1(a)

• Allworkplaceswithfewerthan20workers.

Sec.9,Sub.2(a)

• Allworkplacesthatmaybeexemptedbyspecialregulation.

Sec.9,Sub.1(b)

Canjointcommitteesberequestedwheretheyarenotrequired?

• Yes.TheMinisterofLabourhasthepowertoordertheestablishmentofoneormorecommitteesinaworkplaceorpartofaworkplace.

Sec.9,Sub.3and5

• NegotiatedsafetycommitteesystemsmaygobeyondtheprovisionsoftheAct,suchasarea-wide,ministry-

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wide,agencyorcampuscommitteesthatcomprisenumerousworkplaces.ItisvitalthatthesebelegallysanctionedbytheministerunderSec.9,Sub.3,3.1,4,and5.Theministerwillusuallysanctionthesewhereajointrequestismadebybothunionandemployer.

Whataboutworkplaceswithmorethanonelocation?

• Inthecaseofanemployerwithseveralworklocations,therequirementforajointcommitteeappliestoeachlocationwith20ormoreworkers,nottotheemployer’sentireoperation.

• Someworkoperationshavescatteredworklocationswherenosingleworksitehasmorethan20workers,butthewholeoperationmayhaveover20employees.Inthiscase,becausenooneworksitemeetsthecriteriafortheestablishmentofajointcommittee,youremployerisnotcompelledtoformacommittee.Ifalocationhasfewerthan20workersandmorethan5,ahealthandsafetyrepresentativeisrequired.

CanworkersinworkplaceswithscatteredlocationsrequesttheMinistryofLabourtoorderajointcommitteewhenoneisnotrequired?• Inworkplaceswithscatteredlocationswherethereare

fewerthan20workersineachlocation,itissometimespossibletoformwhatisknownasamulti-workplaceJointHealthandSafetyCommittee.Ifworkersinscatteredworkplacessuchasthisdeterminethata

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multi-workplaceJHSCwillimprovehealthandsafetyconditions,theyshouldconsiderthefollowingtwooptions:

1. AcomplainttoaMinistryofLabourhealthandsafetyinspectorabouttheabsenceofajointcommitteemightresultinanorderfromtheinspectorfortheestablishmentofajointcommitteethatcoverstheentireoperation(multi-workplaceJHSC);or,

2. UnderSections9(3)and(5)workerscanrequestthattheMinisterofLabourorderyouremployertoestablishamulti-workplaceJHSCthatcoverstheentireoperation.Whendealingwiththeunion’srequest,theMinisterorhis/herdesignee(usuallytheregionaldirector)mustconsiderthefollowing:

• thenatureofthework,eg.howhazardousitis;

• thefrequencyofillnessandinjuryintheoperationorthesector;

• theexistenceofhealthandsafetyprogramsandpractices;

• whethertherequestismadejointlyorjustbytheunionortheemployer.

Thesuccessofyoureffortwilldependonthelocalunionmakingastrongcaseforthecommittee’sestablishment.Theunionwillhavetoshowthatworkersfaceserious

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hazardsandneedanavenuetoraiseandaddressthemwiththeemployer.

Todothis,yourlocalunionwillhavetogatherinformationabouttheemployer’shealthandsafetyrecord.UnderSections51and52,theemployerisrequiredtogivetheunionwrittennotificationofallinjuries,fatalitiesandoccupationalillnesses.TheunionisalsoentitledtorequestandreceiveanannualsummaryofoccupationalinjuryandillnessdataforthatworkplacefromtheWSIB.

Sec.12,Sub.1,2;Sec.51,Sub.1;Sec.52,Sub.1,2,3

CantheworkplacepartiesjointlyrequesttheMinistryofLabourtoapproveonejointcommitteetocovermultipleworksites?

• Yes.Section9(3.1)givestheMinisterofLabourthepowertoissueanorderthatpermitsanemployertoestablishonejointcommitteeformorethanoneworkplace.Inthisregard,itisimportanttonotethefollowing:

o asinglejointcommitteeformultipleworksitesisillegalunlessorderedbytheMinisterunderSection9(3.1).

o asubmissionmustbymadebytheworkplacepartieswhichincludesasignedagreementbetweentheunionandtheemployerwhichspellsoutcompletedetailsonhowthejointcommitteeistofunction.

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o theMinisterwillassessthesubmissionbasedonthecriteriasetoutinSection9(5)aswellasanyadditionalcriteriathattheMinisterrequiressuchaslocationanddistancebetweenworkplace,travelandrelatedcosts,andtheabilityofmemberstoperformtheirduties.Note:TheMinistryofLabourdocument,“Multi-WorkplaceJointHealthandSafetyCommitteeGuidance,”postedonitswebsitewillassistworkplacepartiestodraftatermsofreferenceforamulti-workplacecommittee.

o theprocessisinitiatedbyaletterandsubmissiontoaRegionalDirectorattheMinistryofLabourwhohasbeendelegatedtoconsidertherequestandauthorizedtoissueanorder.

Whatistheminimumsizeofjointcommittees?

• Allworkplaceswith50ormoreworkersmusthaveatleastfourcommitteemembers;atleastonehalfofthemmustconsistofworkersselectedbytheunion.

Sec.9,Sub.6(b)

• Allworkplaceswithbetween20and49workersmusthaveatleasttwomembers;atleastonehalfofthesemustbeworkersselectedbytheunion(orunions)intheworkplace.

Sec.9,Sub.6(a)

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Howlargeshouldacommitteebetoworkeffectively?

• TheActsetstheminimumsizeofcommittees.Asarule,itisimportanttoensurethatcommitteesarelargeenoughtorepresenttheconcernsofallworkers,withrepresentativesfrommostdepartmentsorareasoftheworkplace.

Howmustcommitteesbecomposed?

• Allcommitteesmusthaveco-chairpersons,onerepresentingworkersandonerepresentingtheemployer.

Sec.9,Sub.11

• AllcommitteesmusthaveatleastonemanagementandoneworkermemberwhohavebeencertifiedbytheMinistryofLabour(MOL)aftertheyhavemetthecertificationtrainingrequirementsestablishedbytheMOL.RightsanddutiesofcertifiedmembersarecoveredlaterinthisGuide.

Sec.9,Sub.12,13,and14

• Workermembersonthecommitteemustcomefromtheworkplace,whileemployermembersmustcomefromtheworkplacetotheextentpossible.

Howarehealthandsafetycommitteemembersandhealthandsafetyrepresentativeschosen?

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• Ahealthandsafetyrepresentativeischosenfromamongtheworkersbythetradeunion(orunions)whichrepresentsthem.

Sec.8,Sub.5

• Ifthereisaunion,it(orthey)willselectworkermemberstothejointhealthandsafetycommittee.Ifthereisnounion,theworkerswillselectrepresentatives.

Sec.9,Sub.8

• Ifmorethanoneunionexistsinaworkplace,allunionsareentitledtoparticipateintheselectionofworkerrepresentativestotheJHSC.TheOHSAdoesnotgivenon-unionizedworkersinalargelyunionizedworkplacetherighttoselecttheirownrepresentativetotheJHSC,nordoestheActauthorizeanemployertospecifyrepresentationontheJHSCforthenon-unionized.However,theunionorunionsmaybeunderanobligationtoconsultwiththenon-unionizedworkersandagreeonarepresentative.

Sec.9,Sub.8

(SeePartL:Case#21,#22,#23)

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Whataretherightsanddutiesofjointcommittees?

• Thecommitteehasthepowertoidentifyhazardsandmakerecommendationsfortheircorrection.

Sec.9,Sub.18(a)(b)(c)

• Thecommitteehasthepowertoschedulemonthlyinspections.

Sec.9,Sub.26,27and28

• Thecommitteemustreceiveawrittenresponsetoitsrecommendationsfromtheemployerwithin21days.Thiswouldalsoincludearequirementtorespondtoworkermemberrecommendationsintheabsenceofjointrecommendations.Theresponsemustcontainatimetableforimplementationorreasonswhytheemployerdisagreeswiththerecommendation.

Sec.9,Sub.20and21

• Thecommitteehasthepowertoobtaininformationfromtheemployeronanyactualorpotentialhazardoranyexperiences,practicesandstandardsofwhichtheemployerisaware.

Sec.9,Sub.18(d)

• Thecommitteemustbeconsultedaboutanyhealthandsafetytestingbeingcarriedout,andhastherighttohaveaworkermemberpresentatthebeginningofsuchtesting.

Sec.9,Sub.18(f)

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• Thecommitteemustbeconsultedabouthygienetestingstrategiesdevelopedbytheemployerandhastherighttohaveaworkermemberpresentatthebeginningoftesting.

Sec.9,Sub.18(e);Sec.11,Sub.1,2,3,4

• Thecommitteemustbeprovidedwithanyhealthandsafetyreportsintheemployer’spossession.Theemployermustmakeworkersawarethatsuchreportsexistandworkershavetherighttorequestcopiesofhealthandsafetyreports.

Sec.25,Sub.2(l),Sub.25,Sub.2(m)

• Thecommitteeandtheunionmustbegivennoticesofallcriticalorfatalaccidents,accidentsresultingininjury,andalloccupationalillnesses.

Sec.51,Sub.1;Sec.52,Sub.1,2,3

• Thecommittee,aworker,theunionoranemployerhastherighttorequestandreceiveanannualsummaryofwork-relatedaccidentandillnessdatafromtheWorkplaceSafetyandInsuranceBoard.Theemployermustpostacopyofthesummaryinaconspicuousplaceintheworkplace.

Sec.12,Sub.1and2

• ThecommitteeorthehealthandsafetyrepresentativemustbegivencopiesofanyreportsorordersissuedtotheemployerbytheMOLinspector.Theemployermustalsopostacopyorcopiesofthereportsorordersinaconspicuousplaceintheworkplace.Theworkerwho

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madethehealthandsafetycomplaintmayrequestthereportororderfromtheinspector.

Sec.57,Sub.10(a)(b)

• ThecommitteemusthaveanopportunitytoparticipateinthedevelopmentandimplementationofworkereducationandtrainingprogramsrequiredbytheWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem(WHMIS)regulations.

Sec.42,Sub.1to4

• AtleastonemanagementandoneworkermemberofthecommitteemustbecomecertifiedafterundergoingcertificationtrainingrequirementsestablishedbytheMinistryofLabour(MOL).

Sec.9,Sub.12,13and14

• Acommitteeisrequiredtomeetatleastonceeverythreemonths.Butitmaybenecessarytomeetmorefrequentlyinworkplacesthatareparticularlyhazardous.

Sec.9,Sub.33

• TheActrequiresthatminutesofmeetingsberecorded,maintainedandmadeavailableforreviewbyaninspector.Theseshouldindicatetheproblemsraised,theirresolutionandwhatactionwastobetakenbywhom.

Sec.9,Sub.22

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Whathappensifadisputearisesovercommitteerequirements?

• Theministershouldbenotifiedofthedispute.TheMinistrywillreferthepartiestoprivatedisputeresolution.Shouldthisfail,theministerwillmakearuling.

Sec.9,Sub.39

Shouldalljointhealthandsafetycommitteeshaveawrittentermsofreference(TOR)?

• ItisagoodideatohaveatermsofreferenceespeciallytocoveritemsnotspecifiedintheAct,suchaswhotakesminutes,theflowofinspectionreports,existenceofanduseofalternates(ifany)andattendanceofguests.TheTORmayalsorefertothingscoveredbytheAct,suchasinspections,investigations,injurynoticesetc.,butitisveryimportantthatwenotlimitourrightsinanyTOR.Termsofreferencearemeanttogoverntheworkofthejointcommittee,notchangetheAct.

• TheTORmustsetoutallthoseprocedures,functions,powersandentitlementsthatarerequiredbytheActasabareminimum.Additionalsupportstoassistthecommitteemustalsobeconsidered.Consultyourstaffrepresentativeforamodelagreementtoguideyourefforts.

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• TheTermsofReferenceshouldincludethefollowing:

o thecompositionofthecommittee;

o thefunctionsandpowers;

o theentitlementsofworkermembers;

o proceduresforconductingmeetings;

o gueststomeetings

o minutes;

o quorum;

o proceduresforraisingandresolvingconcerns;

o proceduresforresolvingdisputes;

o informationentitlements;

o frequencyofmeetings;

o certificationtrainingprocess;

o healthandsafetytraining;

o howchangesintheTORwilloccur.

• Remember–onlytheunioncanenterintoaformalagreement,suchasaTermsofReference,withtheemployer.OPSEUjointhealthandsafetycommitteemembersshouldconsultwiththeirLocalunionofficialspriortofinalizingtheTermsofReferencedocument.

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Whataretherightsanddutiesofworkermembersofjointcommittees?

Inspections:

• Aworkermemberselectedbytheworkersonthecommitteehasarighttoinspecttheworkplaceatleastonceamonth.

Sec.9,Sub.23and26

• Whereitisnotpracticaltoinspecttheentireworkplaceonceamonth,itmustbeinspectedatleastonceayear.However,atleastpartoftheworkplacemustbeinspectedonceineachmonthinaccordwithascheduleofinspectionsthatmustbeestablishedbythecommittee.

Sec.9,Sub.27and28

• Inspectionsdonothavetobecarriedoutbythesameperson.Itispossibletoselectotherworkermemberstoconductinspections.

Sec.9,Sub.25

• Theworkermemberconductinginspectionsmustbegiveninformationfromtheemployertoassistintheinspection.Heorshemustreportallhazardstothecommittee.Thisshouldbedoneimmediatelyaftertheinspection.

Sec.9,Sub.29and30

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• Thecommitteemustreviewreportedhazardswithinareasonableperiodoftimewhichmayrequirethecommitteetomeetmorefrequentlythanonceeverythreemonths.

Sec.9,Sub.30

Investigations:

• Aworkermemberselectedbyworkermembersofthecommitteehastherighttoinvestigatecriticalorfatalaccidents.TheworkermustreportthefindingstothecommitteeandtheMinistryofLabour.

Sec.9,Sub.31;Reg.834(CriticalInjury-defined)

• Membersselectedtoinvestigatewhereworkersarekilledorcriticallyinjuredshouldinterviewwitnessesandcollectrelevantinformation.TheActsays“investigate.”

Testingforhazards:

• Aworkermemberhastherighttobepresentatthebeginningofanyhealthandsafetytesting,includinghygienetestingattheworkplace.

Sec.9,Sub.18(f)andSub.19;Sec.11,Sub.3and4

• Theworkermembermustensurethatthedeviceorareabeingtestedisrepresentativeofactualconditionsandthatthetestingequipmentandproceduresare

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appropriate.Heorshemustbegivensufficienttimeandinformationtomakethesedeterminations.

Doworkermembersgetpaidpreparationtime?

• Yes.Workermembersmustbegivenatleastonehourpaidpreparationtimepriortojointhealthandsafetycommitteemeetings.

Sec.9,Sub.34(a)

Areworkermembersentitledtopaidtimeofftoperformtheirduties?

• Yes.Workersmustbegiventimeofftoattendmeetings,carryouttheirdutiestoinspecttheworkplace,investigateaccidents,representworkersduringrefusals,witnesstestsandaccompanyinspectors.

Sec.9,Sub.34(a)(b)(c);Sec.43,Sub.13;Sec.54,Sub.3,4,5

• TheActsaysthattheperformanceofthesedutiesandrightsisconsideredworktime,paidattheworker’sregularorpremiumrateofpay.

Sec.9,Sub.35and36;Sec.43,Sub.13;Sec.54,Sub.5

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Howdodesignatedjointcommitteemembersbecomecertified?

• DesignatedworkerandemployermembersmustbecertifiedbytheMOLaftercompletingthetrainingrequirementsestablishedbytheMOL.

Sec.1,Sub.1;Sec.9,Sub.12toSub.17

Whatifthereismorethanonecertifiedmember?

• Ifthereismorethanonecertifiedmember,orselectionofanewcertifiedmemberwillmeanthatthereismorethanone,theunionmustdesignateoneormorememberstoactasthecertifiedperson(s)tobesolelyentitledtoexercisetherightsanddutiesofacertifiedmember.

Sec.9,Sub15

Whopaysforcertificationtraining?

• Theemployermustpayyouduringthetrainingandassumeallcostsincludingreasonableexpensesassociatedwiththedeliveryofthetraining.

Sec.9,Sub.36

Whoprovidescertificationtrainingandwhatmustbetaught?

• TheMOLhasalistofapprovedcertificationtrainingproviderspostedonitswebsite.CertificationtrainingmustmeetthecriteriasetoutintheMOL’s“JointHealth

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andSafetyCommitteeCertificationTrainingProgramStandard”foundontheMOLwebsite.

• PartOnerequiresatleast19.5hoursofinstruction(threedays),ofwhich6.5hours(oneday)maybedeliveredbye-learning.PartTwotrainingmustbe13hours(twodays)minimum.PartTwomustbetakenwithinsixmonthsofPartOne.

• Arefreshercoursewillberequiredeverythreeyearsorcertificationwillexpire.

• WithinsixmonthsofcompletingPartOne,membersmayapplyforaone-time,sixmonthextensioninordertocompletePartTwoofthetraining.Extensionrequestsarenotrecommendedunlessthereareextenuatingcircumstances.

• BecausetheActandProgramStandardsaresilentonwhocanchoosetheprovider,itisimportantforlocalunionstonegotiatecontractlanguagethatrequiresthatthetrainingprogramcomefromthelabour-basedWorkersHealthandSafetyCentre(WHSC).Thisistheonlywaytoensurethatworkersreceiveaqualityprogram.

• WithinOPSEU,wehaveachievedsomecentrally-negotiatedagreementsregardingcertificationtraining:

o OPSEUandtheOntarioPublicServicehavehadanagreementsincetheearly1990sthatbasiccertificationtrainingforOPSEUmemberswillbeprovidedbyWHSCtrainers.

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o OPSEUandthreeministries,(MinistryofCommunitySafetyandCorrectionalServices,MinistryofChildrenandYouthServicesandMinistryofTransportation)haveagreedthattheWHSCwillprovidebasicandworkplacehazard-specificcertificationtrainingonanagreed-tolistofhazards.

Whatarehealthandsafetyrepresentativesandwherearetheyrequired?

• Ahealthandsafetyrepresentativemustbeselectedbytheunioninallworkplaceswheremorethanfive,butfewerthan20workersareregularlyemployed.

Sec.8,Sub.1and5

• WherearepresentativeisnotspecificallyrequiredbytheAct,theMinisterofLabourmayorderthatarepresentativebeselected.

Sec.8,Sub.2

Whatarethedutiesandrightsofhealthandsafetyrepresentatives?

• Thehealthandsafetyrepresentativehasthesamepowersandrightsasthejointcommitteeanditsworkermembers,exceptthatthehealthandsafetyrepresentativeisnotrequiredtobecomecertified.InadditiontheActissilentonthematterofpaidpreparationtimeforrepresentatives.

Sec.8,Sub.6to16

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• Thehealthandsafetyrepresentativehasalegalobligationtoinspecttheworkplaceatleastonceamonth,inaccordancewithaninspectionscheduleagreedtobytherepresentativeandtheemployer.

Sec.8,Sub.6

• Ahealthandsafetyrepresentativehasthepowertorecommendcorrectiveactiontotheemployer.

Sec.8,Sub.10

• Heorshemustreceiveawrittenresponsefromtheemployerwithin21daystoallrecommendations.Thisresponsemustindicateatimetableforimplementationorreasonsfornotacceptingtherecommendations.

Sec.8,Sub.12and13

Cananemployerorsupervisorinterferewithorobstructthejointcommitteeorhealthandsafetyrepresentative?

• No.Thelawclearlyforbidsanyonefrominterfering,obstructingorprovidingfalseinformationtomembersofajointcommitteeorahealthandsafetyrepresentativewhentheyareperformingtheirduties.Complaintsshouldbefiledimmediatelywiththeinspectorshouldanyobstructionoccur.

Sec.62,Sub.5

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PARTD:Therighttorefuseunsafework

Whatistherighttorefuse?

• Allworkershavetherighttorefuseworktheybelievemayendangertheirhealthandsafety.

Sec.43,Sub.3

Arethereanyrestrictionsontherighttorefuse?

• Policeofficers,firefightersorworkerswhoareemployedincorrectionalorhealthcarefacilitiesorotherresidentialfacilitiessuchasgrouphomesareprohibitedfromusingthisrightwhenthehazardisanormalpartoftheirwork,orwhentheactoftheirrefusaldirectlyendangersanotherperson.

Sec.43,Sub.1and2(SeePartL:Case#8,#9,#10,#11,#14)

Doesthismeanthattheseworkerscannotrefuseinallcircumstances?

• Workershavearighttorefusedangerouswork,aslongastheirrefusaldoesnotdirectlyendangeranotherperson,andtheemployerhasnottakenstepsto

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addresshazardsthatareregularlypresent.(SeePartL:Case#8,#9.#10,#14)

Whataresomeexamplesofworkrefusalsfortheseoccupations?

Correctionalofficers:

• Correctionalofficerscouldnotrefusetoworkinwhattheyconsideredadangerouslyovercrowdedfacility,sinceovercrowdingmayoccurfromtimetotimeasanormalconditionofemployment.

• However,correctionalofficerscouldrefusetoworkwherenormallyrequiredprecautionstohandleunsafeconditionscreatedbyovercrowdingwereabsent,andtherefusaldidnotdirectlyendangeranotherperson.

• Acorrectionalofficercouldrefusetodealone-on-onewithaviolentinmate,whenthenormalsafeworkpracticerequirestwoormoreofficersandotherspecialprocedurestohandlethesituationsafely.

Ambulanceofficers:

• Anambulanceofficercouldnotrefusetoaidanaccidentvictimbecauseadangerouscircumstanceexistsattheaccidentsite.Theworkrefusalcoulddirectlyendangerthehealthandsafetyoftheaccidentvictim.

• However,anambulanceofficercouldrefusetogooutonaroutinetransferornon-urgentcalliftheambulance

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vehiclehadasafetydefect,oriftheofficerwasnotprovidedwithequipmenttodothejobsafely.

• Anambulanceofficercouldalsorefusetoliftaheavypatientinaroutinetransfer,orifproperequipmentwerenotavailabletoliftthepatientinasafemanner.

Healthcareworkers:

• Apsychiatricnursecouldrefusetodealone-on-onewithaviolentpatientwheretwoormorepeoplewouldnormallyberequiredtohandlethesituationsafely,andtherefusalwouldnotdirectlyendangeranotherperson.

Areteachersrestrictedfromexercisingtherighttorefuse?

• Teachersinelementaryandsecondaryschoolscannotexercisetherighttorefusewhentheactoftheirrefusalwouldplacethelife,healthorsafetyofapupilin“imminentjeopardy.”

Reg.857/90

• Unfortunately,thelawdoesnotdefine“imminentjeopardy.”nordoesitsaywhodetermineswhen“imminentjeopardy”exists.

• Thesupervisormustinvestigatethecircumstancesoftheteacher’srefusalinthefirststageoftherefusal.Theproblemariseswhenthesupervisorinvestigatesandstatesthatthelife,healthorsafetyofapupilisin“imminentjeopardy”iftheworkrefusalcontinues.

• Iftheworkercontinuestorefusebecauseheorshebelievesthathisorherownsafetyisendangeredby

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returningtowork,aninspectormustbecalledintotheworkplacetoinvestigate.Inthiscase,theemployerhastheburdenofprovingtotheinspectorthatasituationof“imminentjeopardy”exists.(SeeCaseLaw–Case#8.AlthoughCase#8dealswithlimitedrightofhospitalworkerstorefuse,thesameprinciplemustbeappliedtothisemployer.Theemployermustbeartheburdenofproofwhenseekingtotakeawaytheworker’srighttorefuse.)

Underwhatconditionscanaworkerrefuseunsafework?

• Aworkercanrefusetoworkwhereheorshehas“reasontobelieve”thatanyequipment,machine,deviceorthingislikelytoendangerhimself,herselforanotherperson,orifthephysicalconditionoftheworkplaceorworkplaceviolenceis“likely”toendangerhimselforherself.

Sec.43,Sub.3(a)(b)(b.1)

• Workershavetherighttorefuseunsafeworkwhenthehazardisaviolentorpotentiallyviolentperson.However,workersdescribedinSec.43,Sub.2continuetohavealimitedrighttorefuseunsafework.Theirrefusalcannotendangerthelife,healthorsafetyofanotherpersonandtherefusalcannotbebecauseofahazardconsideredtobeanormalorinherentpartoftheirjob.

Sec.43,Sub.3(b.1)

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• WorkerscanalsorefusewhereanyoftheseisincontraventionoftheActorregulations,andthiscontraventionendangerstheirhealthandsafety.

Sec.43,Sub.3(c)

• Conditionsdonothavetobeimmediatelylife-threateningforaworkertorefuse.

Whataretheproceduresforrefusingunsafework?

• Workers,supervisors,employersandinspectorsmustadheretothefollowingprocedures:

FirstStage:

1. Theworkermustreportthecircumstancesoftherefusaltothesupervisor.Theworkermustremaininasafeplacethatisasnearasreasonablypossibletohisorherworkstationandavailabletotheemployerorsupervisorfortheinvestigation.Theworkerisconsideredtobeatworkduringallstagesoftherefusalandcannotbereassignedduringthefirststageoftherefusal.(SeePartL:Case#11)

2. Thesupervisormustmakeavailableaunionappointedrepresentativeorworkercommitteememberandinvestigatethecircumstancesinthepresenceoftheworkerandtherepresentative.

Sec.43,Sub.4

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3. Thesupervisormustgivetheworkerananswerastowhetheritissafeorunsafe.Iftheworkerissatisfiedthattheworkissafe,thentheworkershouldreturntoworkandthematterisconsideredresolved.

4.

SecondStage:

1. Iftheworkerhas“reasonablegrounds”tobelievethattheworkisstillunsafedespitethesupervisor’sanswersorcorrectivemeasures,thentheworkercancontinuetorefuseandaMinistryofLabourinspectormustbecalledintoinvestigate.Therefusingworker,theworkerrepresentativeortheemployercancalltheinspector.

Sec.43,Sub.6

2. WhentheMinistryofLabourreceivesacallrequestingthataninspectorcometoaworkplacebecauseofaworkrefusal,theMinistrystaffwillattempttomakeadeterminationoverthephonewhethertheworkrefusalmeetstheircriteriaofavalidrefusal.Inworkplacessuchashealthcarefacilities,developmentalservicesfacilitiesorcorrectionalfacilities,inspectorsfrequentlydetermineoverthephonethatthecircumstancesareanormalorinherentpartofthejobandthattheworkerdoesnothavetherighttorefuse.Inthesecases,eveniftheMOLinspectormakesthatdecisionanddowngradestheworkrefusaltoacomplaint,workersandtheirrepresentativesmustinsistthat

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theinspectorcometotheworkplacetoinvestigateandtoassist.

Inothercases,theinspectormaydetermineoverthephonethatthepartiesinvolvedhavenotcompletedStage1oftherefusal.Ifyouandtheemployerbelievethatyouhaveexhaustedallattemptstoresolvetheissue,insistthattheinspectorcometotheworkplace.

3. TheMinistryofLabourinspectormustinvestigate“inconsultation”withtheworker,thesupervisor,andtheworker’srepresentative.*Workersshouldinsistthattheinspectorcometotheworkplacetoinvestigate.

Sec.43,Sub.7

*NOTE:PriortoJune2001,inspectorshadalegaldutytoinvestigateaworkrefusal“inthepresence”oftheworkerandher/hisrepresentative.Now,however,theActstatesthattheinvestigationcantakeplacein“consultation”withtheparties.However,currentMOLpolicystatesthatwhenaninspectormakesadeterminationoverthephonethataworkrefusalhasmetMOLcriteriaasavalidrefusalandattemptstoresolveitinternallyhavebeenexhausted,aninspectorwillbesenttotheworkplace.

Iftheinspectorwillnotattend,insistthatyouarepresentforanytelephoneconversationsbetweentheemployerandtheinspector.Donotletyouremployerpresenttheirdescriptionofthesituationwithoutyourinput.

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4. Aftertheinspector’sinvestigationiscompleted,theinspectormustgiveawrittendecisionastowhethertheworkislikelytoendanger.

Sec.43,Sub.8and9

5. Iftheworkerdisagreeswiththeinspector’sdecision,anappealcanbefiledwithin30dayswiththeOntarioLabourRelationsBoardforaruling.

Sec.61

Canrefusedworkbereassignedtoanotherworker?

• Yes,duringStage2oftherefusal.Buttheemployermustadvisethisworkerthattheworkhasbeenrefusedandthereasonsfortherefusal.Thismustbedoneinthepresenceofaworkermemberofthejointcommittee,ahealthandsafetyrepresentativeoraworkerselectedbytheunion.Thisworkercanalsorefuse,ifheorshebelievesthejobisunsafe.

Sec.43,Sub.11

Doestheworkerhavetobecorrect?Whatdoes“reasontobelieve”and“reasonablegroundstobelieve”mean?

• Inordertolegallyrefusetowork,thelawrequiresonlythataworkerhaveareasonablebelief.Amountainofevidenceisnotneeded.

Sec.43,Sub.3

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Canasupervisorputofforrefusetoinvestigateorsendtheworkerhome?

• No.Thesupervisormustinvestigateimmediatelyinaccordancewiththeprocedure.Ifthesupervisorrefuses,workersshouldcallaministryinspectorimmediatelyandindicatewhathastakenplace.

Sec.43,Sub.4

Doworkershavearighttobepaidduringaninvestigationofaworkrefusal?

• Yes.Therefusingworkerandherrepresentativeareentitledtopaymentduringallstagesofarefusal.

Sec.43,Sub.13

• Duringthesecondstageoftherefusal,thelawallowstheemployertogiveundefined“otherdirections”totheworkershouldnootherworkbeavailable.Shouldthisresultinanylossofpay,benefitsorlayoff,theemployermustprovethatthiswasnotareprisalwhichisforbiddenbytheAct.

Sec.43,Sub.10(b);Sec.50

Canaworkercontinuetorefuseiftheinspectorrulesthattheworkisnotlikelytoendanger?

• TheActissilentonthisquestionandthusfullprotectionisnotclearlyprovided.Generally,theworkerreturnstoworkandanydissatisfactionhandledthroughtheappealprocess.TheOntarioLabourRelationsBoardhasruledinafewcasesthatsincethisisnotforbiddenbytheAct,a

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workerwouldhavetherighttocontinuetorefusetoworkiftheinspector’sdecisionwasnotknowledgeablyandindependentlybased.Theseinstanceswouldberare.

• Continuingaworkrefusalinthiscircumstancemustbecarefullyconsidered.Workersareadvisedtoconsulttheirunionstaffrepresentativeonthisissue.

Cananinjuredorsusceptibleworkerrefusetoperformunsafework?

• Yes.TheinjuredorsusceptibleworkerhasarighttorefuseunsafeworkunderSection43(3)ofOHSA.Therighttorefuseappliestoadisabledorsusceptibleworkerandnotjusttheaveragehealthyworker.Theemployerhasadutytomakeappropriatesafetyprovisionsthataddressyourmedicallimitations.Whiletheinspectorwillnotrulespecificallyonwhetheranaccommodationisappropriate,he/shewilldeterminewhetherworkislikelytoendangeradisabledorsusceptibleworker.(SeePartL:Case#6,#7)

NOTE:Itisimportantthatinjuredworkersobtainmedicaldocumentationinadvanceabouttheirparticularlimitationsorsensitivitiestosupporttheseactions.

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PARTE:Yourrighttobefreefromreprisals

CanworkersbepenalizedforseekingcompliancewiththelaworexercisingtheirrightsundertheAct?

• No.Thelawspecificallyprohibitsemployersfrompenalizingorintimidatingworkersforseekingcomplianceorexercisingtheirrights,orforgivingevidencewithrespecttotheenforcementoftheActorduringacoroner’sinquest.Thisalsoincludestheexerciseofaworker’srighttorefuseunsafework.

Sec.50,Sub.1

Whatcanbedoneifanemployerengagesinareprisalagainstaworker?

Therearethreepossibleoptionsavailabletoworkers:

• CalltheMinistryofLabour:SincethisisaviolationoftheAct,theworkershouldimmediatelyfileacomplaintwithaninspector.Also,theinspectorcanissueorderstodealwiththeunderlyinghealthandsafetyviolationthatledtothereprisal.AsofApril2012aninspector,onconsentofaworker,mayreferanallegationofreprisaltotheOntarioLabourRelationsBoardprovidedthatthematterhasnotbeendealtwithbygrievancearbitrationunderaCollectiveAgreement.Aninspectormayalso(withapprovalfromaMinistryofLabourmanager)

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investigateareprisalforthelimitedpurposeofdeterminingwhethertorecommendaprosecution.

Sec.50,Sub.2.1

• Fileagrievance.Theworkercanalsofileagrievanceinaccordancewiththeproceduresinacollectiveagreement.Inthiscase,theworkerstillhastheoptiontofileacomplaintwiththeOLRBsolongasthegrievancedoesnotenterthearbitrationprocess.

Sec.50,Sub.2

• ConsiderfilingacomplainttotheOntarioLabourRelationsBoard.TheworkercanfileacomplainttotheOntarioLabourRelationsBoard(OLRB).Inthiscasetheworkermustfileaspecialformwiththeregistrarprovidingthecompletedetails.*AsofApril2012(fromtheBill160changes)aninspector,onconsentofaworker,mayreferanallegationofreprisaltotheOLRBprovidedthatthematterhasnotbeendealtwithbygrievancearbitrationunderacollectiveagreement.Oncethisisfiled,theOLRBwillassignalabourrelationsofficerwhowillmeetwiththeparties,investigateandattemptasettlement.Ifnosettlementisreached,theboardwillholdahearingandruleonthecomplaint.

*NOTE:unionizedworkerswillhavetoelecteithergrievancearbitrationoradecisionfromtheOLRB,butmaynothavetheissuedealtwithintwoforums.

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PARTF:Yourrighttoknow

Doworkershavearighttohealthandsafetyinformation?

• Yes.Theemployerisobligatedtogiveworkersinformationonthehazardsofanychemical,biologicalandphysicalagentoranyhazardsassociatedwithequipmentordevicesusedintheworkplace.

Sec.25,Sub.2(a)(d)

• UndertheWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem(WHMIS)provisionsoftheActtheemployerhastoprovideveryspecificinformationonchemicalandbiologicalagentsbylabelingcontainers,andprovidingmaterialsafetydatasheets(MSDS)toworkers.

Sec.37toSec.42andRegulation860,asamendedbyRegulation36/93

• Theemployermustadviseworkersofanyhealthandsafetyreports(notharassmentreports)intheirpossessionandmaketheseavailableonrequest.

Sec.25,Sub.2(m),Sec.32.0.7,Sub(2)

• Theemployermustprovideworkerswithinformationandinstructiononthecontentsoftheworkplaceharassmentandviolencepoliciesandprograms.

Sec.32.0.5,Sub.2;Sec.32.0.7

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• Theemployermustprovideinformationtoaworkeraboutapersonintheworkplacewithahistoryofviolentbehaviouriftheworkercanbeexpectedtoencounterthatpersonintheworkplaceandthereisarisktotheworkerofphysicalinjury.Theemployerisnottodisclosemorepersonalinformationthanisreasonablynecessary.

Sec.32.0.5,Sub.3(a)(b)andSub.4

Whatinformationdoworkers,healthandsafetyrepresentativesandJHSCshavearightto?

• Aworker,ahealthandsafetyrepresentative,amemberoftheJHSCand/oraunionmembercanrequestanannualsummaryofinformationconcerningworkplaceinjuriesandillnessesfromtheWorkplaceSafetyandInsuranceBoard.Theemployermustpostacopyoftheinformationintheworkplacewhereworkersarelikelytoseeit.

Sec.12,Sub.1and2

• Whenanemployerdoesariskassessmentforthehazardofworkplaceviolence,itmustadvisetheJHSCorthehealthandsafetyrepresentative,orworkersifthereisnoJHSCorrepresentative,oftheresultsoftheassessment.Iftheassessmentisinwriting,awrittencopymustbeprovidedtotherepresentativeortheJHSC.IfthereisnorepresentativeorJHSC,workersmustbegivenacopyorbeadvisedhowtoobtaincopies.

Sec.32.0.3,Sub.3(a)(b)

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• IfaMinistryofLabourinspectorgiveswrittenordersorareportinaworkplace,theemployermustposttheordersorreportinaplacewhereworkersarelikelytoseethereport.AcopymustbegiventothehealthandsafetyrepresentativeofJHSC.Additionally,ifitwasaworkercomplaintthatbroughttheinspectorintotheworkplace,theinspectormustgiveacopytothecomplainantonrequest.

Sec.57,Sub.10

WhatinformationdohealthandsafetyrepresentativesandJHSCshavearightto?

• TheemployermustprovidehealthandsafetyrepresentativesandJHSCmemberswithinformationandassistancerequiredtoperformworkplaceinspections.

Sec.8,Sub.9;Sec.9,Sub.29

• HealthandsafetyrepresentativesandJHSCmembershavetherighttoobtaininformationfromtheemployeraboutworkplacehazards,tobeconsultedpriortotestingforworkplacehazards,andtobepresentatthebeginningoftesting.

Sec.8,Sub.11;Sec.9,Sub.18(d)(e)(f)

• TheemployermustconsultwithhealthandsafetyrepresentativesandJHSCmembersaboutindustrialhygienetestingstrategiesandprovidethemwithinformationaboutindustrialhygienetestingstrategies.

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AhealthandsafetyrepresentativeorJHSCmemberhastherighttobepresentatthebeginningoftesting.

Sec.11,Sub.1to4

• Ifaworkeriskilledorcriticallyinjuredatwork,theemployermustimmediatelyadviseanMOLinspectorthehealthandsafetyrepresentativeorJHSCandtheunion.Within48hours,theemployermustsendtheMOLawrittenreportaccordingtotheregulations.

Sec.51,Sub.1,Regulation851,Sec.5,Sub.1

• Ifaworkerisinjuredatwork,includinginjuriesfromworkplaceviolence,theemployermustnotifytheJHSCorhealthandsafetyrepresentativeandtheunioninwritingwithinfourdays.Thewrittennoticeshallcontainalltheitemslistedintheregulations.IftheemployerisnotifiedthataworkerhasdevelopedanoccupationalillnessorhasmadeaclaimtoWSIBforanoccupationalillness,theemployermustnotifytheMOL,thehealthandsafetyrepresentativeorJHSCandtheunionwithinfourdays.

Sec.52,Sub.1and2;Regulation851,Sec.5,Sub.2

Doworkershavearighttobetrainedinhealthandsafety?

• Yes.Theemployermusttrainworkerstoworkinasafemanner.UnderWHMIS,theemployermustensurethatworkersaretrainedtohaveaworkingknowledgeoftheinformationprovidedonmaterialsafetydatasheets(MSDS)andlabelsandhowtohandleanyofthese

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hazardousmaterialsinasafemannerassetoutinRegulation860,asamendedbyRegulation36/93.

Sec.25,Sub.2(a)(d)andSec.42

• TheActalsoobligestheemployertocarryoutanytrainingprogramsthatmightberequiredbyaregulation.

Sec.26,Sub.1(l)

• TheActrequiresthatatleastoneworkermemberofthejointcommitteereceivecertificationtraining.

Sec.9,Sub.12

• Anemployermustprovideinformationandinstructiononworkplaceharassmentandviolencepoliciesandprograms.

Sec.32.0.5,Sub.2;Sec.37.0.7

• Regulation297/13(introducedbyBill160)requiresemployerstoprovidebasicoccupationalhealthandsafetyawarenesstrainingtoworkersassoonasreasonablypossibleonthejobandtosupervisorswithinaweekofworkingasasupervisor.Theemployermustmaintainrecordsofalltrainingandprovidewrittenconfirmationofthetrainingtoworkersandsupervisors

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PARTG:Medicalrightsofworkers

Doworkershavearighttohavetheirpersonalmedicalinformationkeptconfidential?

• Yes.Employersareprohibitedfromtryingtogetaccesstoaworker’smedicalrecordswithouttheworker’sconsent.

(SeePartL:Case#13)Sec.63,Sub.2

• Membersofjointcommitteesandworkerrepresentativesareprohibitedfromrevealinganypersonalmedicalinformationthatcomesintotheirpossession.

Sec.63,Sub.1(f)

Whatrightsdoworkershaveregardingmedicaltestingandmonitoring?

• Workersarenotrequiredtoundergomedicaltestsunlesstheyconsent.

Sec.28,Sub.3

• Workersconsentingtoundergomedicaltestsrequiredbyregulationmustbeprovidedwithpaidtimeoffworkaswellasallcostsofthemedicalexaminations,includingreasonabletravelexpenses.

Sec.26,Sub.3

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PARTH:

Thepowertostopunsafework

Whatarethepowersandrightsofcertifiedcommitteememberswhenadangerouscircumstanceisreported?

• Aworkercertifiedmemberhastherighttoinvestigateacomplaintbyaworkerthatdangerexistsintheworkplace.

Sec.48

• Ifbothmanagementandworkercertifiedmembersagreethatadangerexists,theymayorderthattheworkstop.Thisisknownasabilateralworkstoppage.

Sec.45,Sub.4

Whencanthepowertostopworkbeexercised?

• Whenbothcertifiedmembersagreethatadangerouscircumstanceexists.

Sec.45

Whatismeantbya“dangerouscircumstance?”

• AdangerouscircumstancemeansthattherehasbeenacontraventionoftheActorregulationswhichposesadanger,andanydelayincontrollingthedangermayseriouslyendangeraworker.

Sec.44

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Whatistheprocedureforabilateralworkstoppage?

1. Thecertifiedmemberrequeststhatthesupervisorinvestigatethedangerouscircumstance.

2. Thesupervisormustinvestigateimmediatelyinthepresenceofthecertifiedmember.

3. Ifthecertifiedmemberisnotsatisfiedwiththesupervisor’sinvestigation,anothercertifiedmemberiscalledintoinvestigate.

4. Ifbothcertifiedmembersagreethatadangerouscircumstanceexists,theycanorderaworkstoppage.

5. Theemployermustfollowthisorderimmediately.

6. Ifthecertifiedmemberscannotagree,theworkcannotbestopped,butaninspectorcanbecalledintoinvestigate.

7. Followingtheinvestigation,theinspectorwillissueawrittendecisiontobothcertifiedmembers.

8. Ifacertifiedmemberdoesnotagree,heorshecanappealtotheOntarioLabourRelationsBoardwithin30daysofthedecision.

Whatcanbedoneifthebilateralworkstoppageprovisionisnotworkingtoprotectworkers,oriftheemployerhasbadsafetypractices?

• AcertifiedmemberoraninspectorcanapplytotheOLRBforadeclarationorrecommendation.TheOLRBcanorderthatthecertifiedworkermemberbegiventheunilateralpowertodirectaworkstoppage,or

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recommendthatthegovernmentassignaninspectortotheworkplaceonafulltimeorparttimebasisattheemployer’sexpense.

Sec.46,Sub.1to8

• InconsideringanapplicationforadeclarationtheOLRBmusttosoinaccordwiththecriteriasetoutinRegulation243/95.Thiswouldincludeconsiderationoftheemployer’ssafetyrecord(i.e.complaints,convictions,inspectionrecords,etc),injuryandillnessrecords,safetypoliciesandpractices,patternofbadfaithwiththejointcommittee,etc.

• InadditiontohavingthisorderedbytheOLRB,unionscannegotiateaunilateralstopworkprovisionwiththeemployer.Shouldtheemployeragreetosuchaprovision,aworkercertifiedmemberwillhavethispowerwhentheemployersoadvisesthejointcommittee.

Sec.47,Sub.1(b)

Whatistheprocedureforunilateralworkstoppagedirection?

• IftheOLRBhasissuedadeclarationthatacertifiedworkercanunilaterallystopwork,oriftheemployerhasadoptedaunilateralworkstoppageprocess,thefollowingstepsarefollowed.

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• Shouldacertifiedmemberfindadangerouscircumstanceheorshecanordertheemployertostoptheworkoperationinquestion.

Sec.47,Sub.2

• Theemployermustimmediatelycomply,andimmediatelyinvestigate.

• Afterinvestigatingandtakingcorrectiveaction,theemployermayaskthecertifiedmembertocanceltheorder.

• Iftheemployerandcertifiedmembercannotagree,thenaninspectorcanbecalledintoinvestigate.

• Followingtheinvestigation,theinspectorwillissueawrittendecisionwhichmayincludeacancellationofthestopworkorder.

Arecertifiedmemberssubjecttoanyliabilityunderthisprovision?

• Yes.AnyonecanfileacomplaintwiththeOLRBwithin30daysallegingthatacertifiedmemberexercisedorfailedtoexercisethispowerrecklesslyorinbadfaith.TheOLRBcantakewhateveractionitconsidersappropriate,includingdecertifyingthecertifiedmember.

Sec.49

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Arethereanyrestrictionsonthepowertoordereitherabilateralorunilateralworkstoppage?

• Police,firefightersandpersonsemployedincorrectionalfacilitiesareprohibitedfromexercisingthispowerunderanycircumstances.

Sec.44,Sub.2(a)

• Workersemployedinhealthcarefacilitiesareprohibitedfromusingitincircumstancesthatwoulddirectlyendangeranotherperson.

Sec.44,Sub.2(b)

Areworkerspaidduringaworkstoppageorderbycertifiedmembers?

• Thereisnoguaranteethatworkersaffectedbyasafetyshutdownwillbepaid.

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PARTI:Appealsandcomplaints

Whatcanbedoneifyoudisagreewithaninspector’sdecisionororder?

• Anyonewhodisagreeswithaninspector’sdecisionorordercanfileanappealwiththeOntarioLabourRelationsBoardwithin30daysofthedecision.TheBoardmayaffirmorrescindaninspector’sorders,orsubstituteitsfindings.AndtheBoard’sdecisionisfinal.

Sec.61

HowareappealsdealtwithbytheOLRB?

• TheboardrequiresthatyoufileyourappealinwritingonFormA-65within30calendardaysoftheinspector’sdecision.AlloftheOLRBformsandInformationBulletinsareavailableontheprovincialgovernmentwebsite.LookfortheOLRBlinkontheMinistryofLabour’ssite.

• TheboardwillthensendacopyofthecompletedAppealForm(A-65)andablankResponsetoAppealForm(A-66)toalltherespondingpartiestotheappeal.Thepartiestotheappealusuallyincludetheworker,theunion,theemployerandtheinspector.

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• Theboardwillappointalabourrelationsofficer(LRO)tomeetwiththepartiesinanefforttoresolvetheappeal.

Sec.61,Sub.3

• TheLROwillreporttheresultsofthisefforttotheboard.Ifthematterisnotresolved,thecasewillbesetforaconsultationorhearing,andaNoticeofConsultationorHearingwillbesenttoalloftheparties.

• TheResponsetoAppeal(FormA-66)mustbecompletedanddeliveredtotheBoardandallofthepartiesnolaterthan21calendardaysbeforetheconsultationorhearingdate.

Howarerequestsforasuspensionofaninspector’sdecisionprocessedbytheOLRB?

• Suspensionrequestswillbeprocessedonlyifanapplicationforappealhasalsobeenfiledwiththeboard.

• Anapplicationforsuspensionofaninspector’sdecisionisfiledwiththeBoardonFormA-67.Ingivingyourreasonsforasuspensionrequest,applicantsmustaddressthefollowingcriteriathatwereoriginallysetoutintheZehrMarketcase(SeePartL,Case#20):

o Willthehealthandsafetyoftheworkersbeassurediftheorderissuspended?

o Willtherebeanynegativeimpactontheapplicantifthedecisionisnotsuspended?

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o Isthereagoodchanceofsucceedinginyourappeal?

o Isthereagoodreasontovarytheinspector’sdecisionororderbeforetheappealcanbedealtwith?

o Andanyotherinformationthatmightbesupportive.

• AcompletedFormA-68mustbedeliveredtoallpartieswithin14calendardaysofconfirmationoffilingsentbytheboard.

• Applicationsforsuspensionareusuallydealtwiththroughconsiderationofwrittensubmissionsonly.Incertaininstances,theBoardmaycallforanoralhearingorconsultation.

WhatoptionscantheOLRBtakeinappeal/suspensionapplications?

• Holdformalhearings;

• Limitthepresentationofevidencebytheparties;

• Issueadecisionwithoutholdingahearingafterconsultingwiththeparties;

• Suspendtheinspector’sorderpendingthedispositionoftheappeal;

• Reconsideranydecisionororderaninspectorhasmade.

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HowareSection50reprisalcomplaintsprocessedbytheOLRB?

• ApplicationsallegingthatanemployerhasviolatedSection50mustbemadeonFormA-53.TheapplicantmustfullydescribehowSection50wasviolatedandprovidefactsanddocumentsinsupportoftheallegationsthattheemployerimposedanunlawfulreprisalonaworker.

• Beforefilingtheapplicationwiththeboard,theworkermustdeliveranApplicationPackagetotheemployer.Thisconsistsofthecompletedapplication,ablankresponseFormA-54,aNoticeofApplicationFormC-26,andacopyoftheBoard’sInformationBulletin.

• NolaterthanfivedaysafterdeliveringtheApplicationPackagetotheemployer,theworkermustfiletwocopiesoftheapplicationwiththeboard.Thematterwillbeterminatediftheapplicationisnotfiledwithinfivedaysofdeliverytotheemployer.

• AfterreceivingtheApplicationPackage,theemployerhas10workingdaystorespondtotheapplicationonFormA-54.Theemployermustfirstdeliveracopyoftheresponsetotheworkerandthenfile2copiestotheBoard.

• Aftertheresponsehasbeenfiled,theboardwillassignanLROwhowillattempttomediateasettlement.

• Ifnosettlementisreached,ahearingwillbeheld.Atthehearing,theemployermustestablishthatitdidnotimposeanunlawfulreprisal.Usually,theemployermustgiveitsevidencefirst.

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WhatistheroleoftheOLRBundertheAct?

TheActempowerstheBoardtohearanddecide:

• Appealsofinspectors’ordersanddecisions.

Sec.61

• Complaintsfromcertifiedmembersoraninspectorthatthebilateralworkstoppageprovisiondoesnotprotecttheworkersfromseriousrisktotheirhealthandsafety.

Sec.46

• Complaintsthatacertifiedmemberhasexercisedorfailedtoexercisethepowertostopworkrecklesslyorinbadfaith.

Sec.49

• Complaintsthatanemployerhastakenareprisalagainstaworker.ThesearefiledonFormA-53withtheOLRB.

Sec.50

HowcananapplicationtotheboardunderSection46assistworkers?

• AnapplicationplacestheemployerundertheclosescrutinyoftheOLRB.

• Theemployerisfacedwiththepossibilityofhavingtheunilateralshutdownprovisionimposedorhavinganinspectorassignedonafull-timeorpart-timebasis.

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Whatmustyoucarefullydocumenttobuildacaseagainstabademployer?

• obstructionoftheinternalresponsibilitysystem;

• caseswheretheemployerignorestherecommendationsofthejointcommittee;

• caseswheretheemployerfailstocorrectidentifiedsafetyviolations;

• thenumberoforders,repeatordersorcharges;

• theincidenceofoccupationalillnessandinjury;

• lackofpolicies,programs,safetyproceduresandtraining;

• thenumberofhealthandsafetyreprisals.

(SeeRegulation243/95)

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PARTJ:LegalenforcementWhocancallaninspector?

• Anyonecancallaninspector.

Sec.43,Sub.6

Doworkershavearighttoaccompanyaninspector?

• Yes.TheActrequiresthatadesignatedworker(aworkerJHSCmember,oranotherworkerchosenbytheunionbecauseofknowledgeandtraining)accompanyaninspectorduringaroutineinspection.

Sec.54,Sub.3

• Inaddition,workerrepresentativesarerequiredtobepresentduringaninspector’sinvestigationofaworkrefusal.

Sec.43,Sub.7

WhatarethepowersofMinistryofLabourinspectors?

Inspectorshavethepowerto:

• Enteranyworkplaceatanytimewithoutawarrant.

Sec.54,Sub.1(a)

• Mustinvestigateallworkrefusalsandgiveawrittendecision.

Sec.43,Sub.7,8

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• Beaccompaniedbyapersonwithspecializedknowledgeduringaninspection.

Sec.54,Sub.1(g)

• Requestanydrawings,documents,records,etc,andtaketheseawaytocopy.

Sec.54,Sub.1(c)

• Determinecompliancewithorders.

Sec.59,Sub.4

• Ordertestsbyqualifiedpersonsattheemployer’sexpense.

Sec.54,Sub.1(f)(k)

• AsofSeptember2016andtheBill132changes,orderanemployertocauseaninvestigationofworkplaceharassmenttobeconductedbyathird-partyperson.Theinspectorcanalsospecifytheknowledge,experienceorqualificationsoftheperson.Alsothatawrittenreportbeprovidedbythatpersonattheexpenseoftheemployer.(ThereportisnotareportatypeofreportthatmustbesharedwiththeJHSC).

Sec.55,Sub.3(1)(2)

• Orderthatequipmentnotbeuseduntilitistested.

Sec.54,Sub.1(l)

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• Alterthefrequencyofinspectionsbyworkermembersorhealthandsafetyrepresentatives.

Sec.55

• Examineandcopytrainingmaterialsandattendtrainingprogramsprovidedbytheemployer.

Sec.54,Sub.1(p)

• Seizedocumentsorobjectsasevidenceofacontravention.

Sec.56

• Requireacomplianceplan.

Sec.57,Sub.4and5

• Orderthatworknotresumeunderastopworkorderuntiltheoperationisre-inspectedandthestopworkorderiswithdrawn.

Sec.57,Sub.8

Whatcananinspectordoifunsafeorunhealthyconditionsarefound?

• Theinspectorcanissueorderstocomply,issuestopworkordersand/orinitiateaprosecution.

Whohasthepowertodeterminecompliancewithanorder?

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• Compliancewithanordercanonlybedeterminedbyaninspector.

Sec.59,Sub.4

• Workplacedunderastopworkordercannotresumeuntilaninspectorre-inspects,unlesstheworkermemberorahealthandsafetyrepresentativeadvisestheinspectorthatheorsheagreeswiththeemployer’snoticeofcompliance.

Sec.57,Sub.7

• Theemployer’snoticeofcompliancewithanordermustbeaccompaniedbyastatementofagreementordisagreementsignedbythecommitteememberorthehealthandsafetyrepresentative.

Sec.59

Howshouldworkersdealwithworkorders,stopworkordersandcompliancenotices?

• AccordingtoMinistryofLabourpolicy,theinspectorcanacceptthatcompliancehasbeenmetwithoutre-inspection,iftheworkerrepresentativeagreeswiththeemployer’snoticeofcompliance.Iftheworkerdisagrees,thenaninspectorwillre-inspect.Iftheworkerdeclinestosigntheemployer’snotice,thentheinspectormightre-inspect.

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Workerrepresentativesarewelladvisedtotakethefollowingmeasures:

• Insistthatinspectorsissueanorderforacomplianceplan.Thisgivesyouanopportunitytoreviewhowtheemployerwillcorrectthehazard,andameansofmonitoringtheprogress.

• Itisabsolutelyessentialthatworkerrepresentativescarefullyassessanemployer’snoticeofcompliance.Inmostcases,itwouldbewisetoinsistonare-inspectionbytheinspectorbeforeendorsingthenoticeofcompliance.

Whatcanbedoneifaninspector’sorderordecisiondoesnotaddressthehazardorviolationoftheAct?

• TheworkercanfileanappealwiththeOLRBwithin30calendardaysoftheinspector’sdecision.

Sec.61

WhatcanhappenifsomeoneviolatestheActanditsregulations,orfailstocomplywithanorder?

• Anyonecanbechargedandprosecutedfortheseviolations.Iffoundguilty,theyaresubjecttoafineofupto$25,000oroneyearinprisonorboth.

Sec.66,Sub.1

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• Iffoundguilty,acorporationcanbefinedupto$500,000.

Sec.66,Sub.2

• TheAttorneyGeneralcanrequirethatacasebetriedbyaprovincialjudgeinsteadofajusticeofthepeace.

Sec.68,Sub.2

WhatcanbedoneifthegovernmentrefusestoprosecuteanemployerforviolatingtheAct?

• Inadditiontoputtingpublicpressureonthegovernment,anindividualoraunioncanbringaprivateprosecutionbyfilinginformationwithajusticeofthepeaceindicatingthatthereisevidencethatanemployerviolatedthelaw.

Unlessthegovernmentdecidestoassumetheprosecution,theindividualortheunionisresponsibleforconductingtheprosecutionandpayingthelegalbills.

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PARTK:Governmentregulatorypower

Whataretheregulations?

• Section70oftheActempowersthecabinettomakeregulationspursuanttotheAct.Thesearethedetailedrulesapplyingtospecificcircumstances.Thesecannot,however,gobeyondthepowersoftheActorcontradicttheprovisionsoftheAct.

• Anytimeyouseetheword“prescribed,”itmeansthataregulationcouldsetspecificsafetyrequirements.

Canthegovernmentmakeregulationswhichaffectworkers’orunions’rights?

• Yes.TheActgivesthegovernmentthepowertomakeregulationssuchasthefollowing(seeOHSASec.70foracompletelist):

o Requiremorethanfourpersonsonajointcommitteeatcertainworkplaces.

Sec.70,Sub.10

o Exemptanyworkplacefromtherequirementtohaveacommittee.Therighttoacommitteecanbetakenawaywithoutreviewbythelegislature.

Sec.70,Sub.11

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o Settherequirementsfortheterms,qualificationsandeligibilityformembershiponjointcommittees.Theunion’srighttoselectitsrepresentativesonitsowntermscanberestricted.

Sec.70,Sub.13

o Exemptanyworkplacefromtherequirementtohavecertifiedmembers.Thisrestrictsourrighttotrainingandtakesawaywhatlittleprotectivepowersworkersdohave.(Note:Regulation385/96exemptsemployersfromhavingtocertifymembersofjointhealthandsafetycommitteesformedbecauseadesignatedsubstanceregulationappliestotheworkplacepursuanttoSec.9Sub2.c

Sec.70,Sub.14

o Exemptworkplacesfromthebilateralorunilateralrighttoshutdownunsafework.

Sec.70,Sub.49

o Exemptanyworkplacefromtherequirementstoprovidehealthandsafetyrepresentativeswithtrainingtoenablethemtoeffectivelyexercisethepowerandperformthedutiesofahealthandsafetyrepresentative.Note:therequirementtotrainHSRsisnotyetthelawsoitisunknowniftherewillbeexemptionstoit.

Sec.70,Sub.13

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Whatcanbedonetoprotectourrightsinthiscase?

• Giventhepowerthatgovernmenthastotakeawaypowersandrightsofworkersandunions,itisimportantthatunionsandcentrallabourbodiesbeextremelyvigilantanddemandeffectiveparticipationintheregulatoryprocess.

Arethereregulationsthatapplytotoxicsubstances?

• Yes.Section70(23)givesthegovernmentpowertodesignatesubstancesforspecificcontrols.Forexample,thereareseveralsubstancesthataredesignatedinregulationsuchasasbestos,lead,andmercury.ElevensubstancesarecoveredbyRegulation490/09,theDesignatedSubstanceregulationthatrequiresexposureassessments,controlprograms,exposurelimitsandmedicalmonitoring.Thisregulationprimarilyappliesinplacesthatuse,manufacture,orregularlyhandlethesubstance.ThereisalsoRegulation833whichestablishesthelimitsofconcentrationsofover400chemicalandbiologicalsubstancesintheworkplaceatmospherebysettingoccupationalexposurelimits(OEL).Regulation833doesnotrequireroutineassessmentsandcontrolprogramsunlessorderedbyaninspector.

Myworkplacehasasbestos.Whatregulationappliesforasbestosmanagementorabatement?

• Regulation278/05AsbestosonConstructionProjectsandinBuildingsandBuildingRepairOperationsappliestobuildingsthatcontainasbestos

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butthatdonotuseormanufacturethesubstance.Thisregulationprescribesobligationsforemployersandownersinbuildingswhereasbestosispresent,orbeingmanagedorremoved.

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PARTL:HealthandsafetycaselawYouwillnoticethatmostofthecasesbelowweredecidedinthe1990sorbeforebytheOfficeoftheAdjudicator,aspecializedbodywhichpreviouslyheardanddeterminedhealthandsafetyappeals.Since1996,healthandsafetyappealshavebeendealtwithbytheOntarioLabourRelationsBoard.SincetheappealfunctionwastransferredtotheOLRB,over90percentofallcases(OPSEUandbroader)aresettledthroughmediation,ratherthandecidedatahearing.Althoughthecasesbelowarequiteold,theycontinuetobeusefultoclarifyhowdifferentsectionsoftheOHSAhavebeeninterpreted.StaffingLevels

Case#1

Decision:Theadjudicatoroverruledaninspectorandorderedadditionalstaffingandregularreliefforaworkerassignedtomonitoraviolentresidentonaone-to-onebasis.Thiswasthefirsttimeanadjudicatoraddressedstaffingissuesinadecision.

Place:AdultOccupationalCentreatEdgar

Findings:Theadjudicatorfoundthattheemployerfailedtotakereasonableprecautionsfortheprotectionoftheworkerwhowasassignedtoworkalonewithaviolentperson.Theadjudicatoralsofoundthataninspectorhadthepowertorequiredisclosureofthepsychiatric

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assessmentoftheresidentinorderfortheinspectortoassesstheextentofhazard.

(DecisionNo.92-09)

Case#2

Decision:Theadjudicatorsupportedtheinspector’sdecisiontoordersafestaffinglevels.

Place:St.ThomasPsychiatricHospital

Findings:TheadjudicatorfoundthataninspectorandanadjudicatorcouldconsiderstaffingasareasonableprecautionanemployerwouldberequiredtotaketoprotectthehealthandsafetyofworkersunderSection25(2)(h)oftheAct.

(DecisionNo.01/93-A)

Case#3

Decision:Theadjudicatoroverruledtheinspectorandruledthatcorrectionalofficershadtherighttorefusewhenstaffinglevelsfellbelowaminimum.Theadjudicatoroverruledtheinspector’sdeterminationthattheseconditionsdidnotendangerworkers.

Place:SaultSte.MarieJail

Findings:Theadjudicatorfoundthattheemployer’sdecisiontorunregularactivitiesatbelowminimumstaffinglevelsviolatedSection25(2)(h).HealsoruledunderSection43thatthisconditionwaslikelytoendangertheworkers.

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Theadjudicatorheldthatthecorrectionalofficerswereentitledtorefusesincereducedstaffinglevelswerenotanormalconditionofemploymentorinherentintheirwork.

(DecisionNo.OHS95-25A)

Case#4

Decision:Theadjudicatorruledthattheemployerwasrequiredtohavetwocorrectionalofficersinthecontrolmodule.Theadjudicatorheldthatacorrectionalofficerinamaximum-securitydetentioncentrewasentitledtoanindependent“backup”officertomonitorhisorhersafety.

Place:SaultSte.MarieJail

Findings:Whentheemployerfirstcutstaffinthecontrolmodule,aninspectorhadwrittenorders.Theinspectorsubsequentlyruledthattheemployerhadcompliedwiththeorderswhentheemployermodifiedthecontrolmoduletoaccommodateaone-personoperation.

Theadjudicatorfoundthattheemployerhadnotcompliedwiththeordersincethereweretoomanydistractionsthatdivertedasingleofficer’sattentionfromobservingthemonitors.

(DecisionNo.OHS97-02)

Case#5

Decision:Theadjudicatorruledthatacorrectionalofficermusthaveanindependentobservertomonitorhisorher

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safetywhenescortinginmatesonthedownrampattheHamilton-WentworthDetentionCentre.

(DecisionNo.OHS98-03)

TherightsofdisabledorsusceptibleworkersDoestheemployerhaveanobligationtoprotectsusceptibleworkers?

Dosusceptibleworkershavetherighttorefuse?

Case#6

Decision:Theadjudicatorfoundthatadisabledcorrectionalofficerdidhavetherighttorefuseworkhebelievedwasunsafe,becauseperformingworkthatmedicaladvicesaysisunsafeisneitherinherentnoranormalconditionofemployment.TheAdjudicatoralsoruledthattheemployercouldnotrequiretheworkertoperformworkadoctorsaidwasunsafe.

Place:MetroWestDetentionCentre

Findings:Theadjudicatoroverruledaninspector’sdeterminationthatadisabledcorrectionalofficerdidnothavetherighttorefuseanassignmentthatadoctorsaidwouldbeunsafe.Theadjudicatorfoundthatwhileaninspectormightnothavethejurisdictiontoorderanemployertoaccommodateadisabledworker,theinspectordoeshaveclearjurisdictionunderSection25(2)(h)toforbidanemployerfromrequiringaworkertoperformworkadoctorsaysisunsafe.

(DecisionNo.OHS14-97)

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Case#7

Decision:Theadjudicatorsupportedaninspector’sorderthatanemployerprovideanergonomicallydesignedchairforadisabledworkerwhohadsufferedabackinjury.

Place:Elgin-MiddlesexDetentionCentre

Findings:Theadjudicatordismissedtheemployer’sargumentthattheemployerwasonlyobligedunderSection25(2)(h)toprovideprotectionfortheaveragehealthyworker.Theadjudicatorruledthattheemployerhadadutytoensurethatthehealthandsafetyofadisabledorsusceptibleworkerwasprotected.Theadjudicatoralsodismissedtheemployer’sargumentthattherighttorefuseunderSection43(3)wasonlyavailabletotheaveragehealthyworker,andcouldnotbeinvokedbyasusceptibleworkerwhohadreasontobelievethattheconditionsofworkwerelikelytoendangerhim.

(DecisionNo.OHS95-30)

TheRighttoRefuseHowmusttherestrictionontherighttorefusebedetermined?

Case#8

Decision:Theadjudicatorruledthatthehospitalemployermustprovideevidencethathazardsare“inherentintheworkoranormalconditionofemployment”whenallegingthattherighttorefusedoesnotapply.

Place:MohawkHospital

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Findings:Theadjudicatoroverruledtheinspector’sdecisionthathospitalworkersdidnothavetherighttorefusejustbecausetheyworkedatahospital.Theemployermustbeartheburdenofproofwhenseekingtotakeawaytheworker’srighttorefuse,andtheinspectorisobligedtoconsidertheevidencepriortorenderingadecision.

(DecisionNo.OHS17-93)

Case#9

Decision:TheadjudicatorruledthatindecidingwhetherornotacorrectionalofficerhadtherighttorefuseunderSection43(3),theinspectorhadadutyunderSection7oftheCharterofRightsandFreedomstomakeadeterminationinamannerconsistentwiththeprinciplesoffundamentaljustice.TheadjudicatorruledthattheinspectorwasrequiredunderSection43(7)tocometotheworkplaceinordertodeterminewhethertherefusingworkerwasentitledtorefuse.

Place:TorontoJail

Findings:Theadjudicatoroverruledaninspector’s“over-the-telephone”determinationthatacorrectionalofficerdidnothavetherighttorefuseovertheemployer’sfailuretoconductasearchforweaponsattheTorontoJail.TheadjudicatorheldthatadecisiontorestricttherightsofacorrectionalofficerbasedonatelephoneinterviewwasnotinaccordwiththeprinciplesoffundamentaljusticeunderSection7oftheCharterofRightsandFreedoms.

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Theadjudicatoralsoheldthatonceaworkrefusalisinitiated,itremainsaworkrefusaluntilaninspectorconductsaninvestigationattheworkplaceanddeterminesthattheworkerdoesnothavetherighttorefuseunderSection43.Theadjudicatoralsoruledthattheworkerdidhavetherighttorefusebecauseincompletesearchesforweaponswerenotaninherentoranormalconditionofemployment,andwerealsolikelytoendangertheworker.

(DecisionNo.OHS97-15)

Whatisa“normalconditionofemployment”?

Case#10

Decision:TheadjudicatorruledthatworkerswhodonothavetherighttorefuseunderSection43areentitledtohavetheirhealthandsafetyconcernsdealtwithpromptlybyaninspectorbecauseofthelimitationsontherighttorefuse.

Place:MaplehurstCorrectionalCentre

Findings:Inthisdecision,theadjudicatorsetouta“test”for“normalconditionsofemployment”tomeananestablishedandprevailingpracticeattheinstitution.Theadjudicatorheldthattheinspectorhasaresponsibilitytoassesswhethertheestablishedandprevailingpracticeprovidesadequateprotectionfortheworkerwhentheworkerexpresseshisorherconcernsabouttheiradequacy.Atthesametime,assignmentsthatdeviatefromestablishedandprevailingsafepracticecannotbeconsiderednormalor

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inherentintheworkandwould,therefore,allowtheworkertoinvoketherighttorefuse.

(DecisionNo.OHS94-21)

Cananemployerassignarefusingworkeralternativeworkduringtheemployer’sinvestigation?

Case#11

Decision:AnAppealDirectorruledthatalternativeworkmaynotbeassignedduringthefirststageofaworkrefusal.Theemployercannotassigntherefusingworkeralternativeworkuntiltheemployer’sinvestigationiscompletedinthepresenceoftheworkerandhisorherrepresentative,andaninspectorhasbeennotifiedofacontinuanceoftheworkrefusal.

Place:Accuride/Hutt(May12,1989)

CriteriaforUnilateralRighttoStopWorkCase#12

Decision:Theadjudicatorfoundthatindeterminingwhethertheunilateralrighttostopworkshouldbegrantedtoacertifiedmember,theadjudicatormustprimarilyconsiderwhethertheemployerhasdemonstratedafailuretoprotectthehealthandsafetyofworkers.Inaddition,hemustconsiderpastsuccessorfailureofthebilateralstopworkproceduretoprotectworkersfrom“seriousrisk”totheirhealthandsafety.Suchevidencewouldincludeconsiderationoftheemployer’shealthandsafetyrecord,

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andhealthandsafetyclimateattheworkplaceassetoutinRegulation243/95.

(DecisionNo.OHS95-39)

ConfidentialityofmedicalinformationCase#13

Decision:TheadjudicatorruledthatitwasaviolationofSection63(2)oftheOHSAforanemployertocontactaworker’sdoctorabouttheworker’sphysicallimitationswithouttheworker’swrittenconsent.

Place:NiagaraDetentionCentre

Findings:TheadjudicatoralsoheldthattheWorkers’CompensationAct(nowWorkplaceSafetyandInsuranceAct)didnotrequiretheemployertoobtainthisinformationinordertocomplywithitsobligationtoreturntherefusingworkertosuitablemodifiedwork,andthereforecouldnotbeusedasadefenseforviolatingSection63(2).

(DecisionNo.OHS95-24A)

MaintainaSafeDistancefromInmatesCase#14

Decision:Theadjudicatorruledthatacorrectionalofficerdidhavetherighttorefusetolightaninmate’scigaretteusingmatches.Theadjudicatororderedtheemployerto

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developaprocedurethatwouldallowofficerstomaintainasafedistancefrominmates.

Place:NiagaraDetentionCentre

Findings:Theadjudicatorheldthattheworkerwasentitledtorefusebecauseusingmatchestolightaninmate’scigaretteisnotaninherentpartoftheworknoranormalconditionofemployment.Theadjudicatoralsofoundthatthesituationwaslikelytoendangertheworker,andthattheemployerwasinviolationofSection25(2)(h)byrequiringtheofficertobringhishandstooclosetothehatchdoorwhenusingmatchestolightacigarette.

(DecisionNo.OHS97-13)

Self-defencetrainingfornon-correctionalofficersCase#15

Decision:TheadjudicatoroverruledaMinistryofLabourdecisiontosuspendaninspector’sorderfortheemployertoprovideself-defensetrainingtoitsnon-correctionalofficerstaffwhowererequiredtosuperviseinmates.Theadjudicatorreinstatedtheorderfortraining.

Place:GuelphCorrectionalCentre

(DecisionNo.OHS94-44A)

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CorrectionalofficersescortinginmatesCase#16

Decision:TheadjudicatorfoundthattheMinistryofCorrectionalServicesfailedtoprovidesufficientprotectiontocorrectionalofficersassignedtoescortinmatesinthecommunity.Thedecisionoverturnsanumberofinspectors’decisionsonworkrefusalsandcomplaintsbycorrectionalofficersatseveralinstitutionsoverinadequateprotectionduringcommunityescorts.

Theadjudicatorissuedordersthatrequire:

1. Nolessthantwoofficersduringescorts;

2. Upgradedkevlarveststopreventknifepenetration;

3. ASPexpandablebatons;

4. Pepperspray;

5. Trainingintheuseofnewequipment,andtheavoidanceofsurpriseattacks;

6. Inmatesmustbeplaceinfullrestraints;

7. Provisionofspecial“blackbox”handcuffdevices;

8. Directcontactwithpolice;

9. Revisionsto“hostilesituation”policy;

10. Restrictvisitstofamilyandlegalcounselonly;

11. VehiclesmustmeetMinistrystandardizedsecurityspecifications;

12. Distinctuniformsforcorrectionalofficers;

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13. Fluorescentorangecoverallsforinmatesonescort;

14. AccesstoCPICinformationoninmatebeingescorted.

(DecisionNo.OHS98-05)

CompetencyofsupervisorsCase#17

Decision:TheadjudicatorfoundthattheemployerhadfailedtoensurethatitssupervisorswerecompetentasdefinedbySection25(2)oftheOHSA.

Place:WhitbyJail

Findings:Thisdecisionestablishedthatthestandardforassessingcompetencyofsupervisorsmustbejudgedbyobjectivecriteria.Theadjudicatorlistedtheareasthatamanageratacorrectionalfacilitymustbetrainedintoestablishcompetency.ThislistincludedknowledgeoftheActanditsregulationsaswellasestablishedsafeoperatingmeasuresandprocedures,allcontingencyplans,standingorders,thefunctioningofajointhealthandsafetycommittee,andtheemployer’sandsupervisor’sdutiesundertheOHSA.

(DecisionNos.1926-97-HS,1927-97-HS)

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Otherrelevantdecisions

Inspectormustaddressaworkplaceillness

Case#18

Decision:TheadjudicatorruledthattheemployerwasinviolationofSection25(2)(h)bycontinuingtoexposeworkersto“stickyfoam,”anunintendedby-productintheproductionoffoaminsulation.

Place:JohnsonControls

Findings:Theadjudicatorconcludedthattheconditionsoftheworkplaceexperiencedbytherefusingworkerswerelikelytoendangerthem.Theadjudicatorheldthatindeterminingthelikelihoodofendangerment,itisnotessentialtorequireaprecisedeterminationofwhatagentproducedbytheworkprocessiscausingillnessamongtheworkers.IntheAdjudicator’sviewthenotionofdangerinSec.43isbroadenoughtoaddressadversehealtheffectsexperiencedbyworkersevenwheretheimmediatecauseisnotyetknown.

(DecisionNo.OHS94-32)

Doestherighttorefuseapplyto“hypothetical”hazards?

Case#19

Decision:Theadjudicatoroverruledtheinspectorandruledthataworkrefusalcouldbebasedonconditionsthatmightendangertheworkerinthefuture.Inthesecases,one

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wouldhavetoshowaprobabilitythatthedangercouldarise.

Place:Kut-KwickMower

Findings:Theworkercouldexercisetherighttorefusebecausehehadreasontobelievethathewaslikelytobeendangeredbyahazardwhichwaslikelytodevelopratherthanbeingimmediatelypresent.

(DecisionNo.OHS85-22)

Whatfactorsmustbeaddressedwhenapplyingforasuspensionofaninspector’sorder?

Case#20

Decision:Theadjudicatorlaidoutthefactorstobeconsideredbyanadjudicatorwhendecidingarequesttosuspendaninspector’sorderordecisionpendingthedispositionofanappeal.Theseinclude:1)adverseimpactonworkers’healthandsafety;2)prejudicetotheemployer’soperationandunduehardship;and3)strongprimafaciecaseforwinningtheappeal.

Place:ZehrsMarketsLtd./Ellis

(DecisionNo.OHS4-91)Morethanoneunionortheexistenceofnon-bargainingunitworkersinaworkplaceCase#21

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Decision:Theboardfoundthatanewlycertifiedunion(CUOE)wasentitledtoparticipateintheselectionofworkerrepresentativestotheJHSC.Inthecase,47workersexistedattheworkplace,27historicallyunionizedwithLIUNA,15newlyorganizedwithCUOE,andfivewhichwerenon-bargainingunit.PriortoCUOE’scertification,LIUNAchosebothworkermembersoftheJHSC.UponthecertificationofCUOE,LIUNAwasfoundtonowbeobligatedtoparticipatewithCUOEtoselecttheworkermembersoftheJHSC.Thedecisionmadenofindingsaboutthefivenon-unionizedworkers;howevertheboardagreedthatpriortothecertificationofCUOEthatLIUNAwasentitledtoselecttheworkermembersoftheJHSC.Place:CanadianUnionofOperatingEngineersandGeneralWorkersv.YorkCondominiumCorp.No.76(HealthCommitteeGrievance),[2000]O.L.A.A.No.46(QL).Case#22Decision:TheboardruledthattheOHSArequiredtheengagementofbothunionsinthedecisiontoselectworkerrepresentativestotheJHSC.Inthecase,63workerswereOPSEUmembers,comparedto13AMAPCEOmembers.TheboarddisagreedthatOPSEUcouldchoosebothrepresentatives,andalsodisagreedthatrepresentationshouldnecessarilybeproportional.NoriseachunionnecessarilyentitledtoamemberontheJHSC.Rather,theunionsshouldcollaboratetoselectrepresentativesontheJHSC.

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Place:OntarioPublicServiceEmployeesUnionv.Ontario(MinistryofCommunityandSocialServices),[2005]OLRBRep.Jan./Feb.121.Case#23Decision:Thedivisionalcourtfoundthatwheremultipleunionsexistwithinaworkplace,thattheunionsareunderalegalobligationtoconsultwitheachotherandagreeuponrepresentativestotheJHSC.Place:ElementaryTeachers’FederationofOntariov.Ontario(MinistryofLabour),[2007]O.J.No.3229.Whatisregularlyemployed?Case#24Decision:TheOntarioCourtofAppealruledthatindependentoperatorsatatruckingcompanycountedasregularlyemployedinordertobecountedpursuanttoSec.9,Sub.2(c)oftheOHSAtodecidewhetheraworkplaceshouldhaveajointhealthandsafetycommittee.Inthecase,UnitedIndependentOperatorsLimited(UIOL)isaloadbrokerthattrucksgoods.Itsofficehad11workers(dispatchersandofficestaff)andcontainedalunchroomandsevenofficeswithinabuildingthatactedasthecentralbaseofthetruckingoperation.Between30-140truckdriversmovedloads,andcalledtheofficeeachdayfordispatchandassignmentoftheirloadsanddestinations.

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Thetruckersattendedtheofficetwiceamonthtopickupchequesandsubmitpaperwork.Theappealcourtjudgesetoutthedictionarymeaningof“regular”as“acting,done,recurring,usual,andoccurringatfixedorpre-arrangedintervals.”ItwasnormalorcustomaryforUIOLtohavebetween30and140truckdriversworkingforit.Thus,onthedictionarymeaningof“regular”,UIOLregularlyemployedtruckdrivers.Inpara.63,“TheOHSAisaremedialpublicwelfarestatuewhosepurposeistoguaranteeaminimumlevelofhealthandsafetyprotectionforworkersinOntario.ThisbroadpurposemustinformtheinterpretationofSec.9Sub.(2)(a)whichrequirestheestablishmentofaJHSC,animportantmechanisminachievingthelegislativeobjectiveofenhancedworkersafety.”Place:Ontario(Labour)v.UnitedIndependentOperatorsLimited,2011ONCA33Date:20110118DOCKETC51442Case#25Decision:Thiscaseprovidesagooddiscussionaboutwhat“regularlyemployed”means.Forexample,regularlyemployedisnotonlythosepresentattheworkplaceatanyonetime,italsoincludesotheremployees—full-time,part-time,andtemporary—whoarealsoemployedattheworkplacebutnotpresentsimultaneously.Tempscountiftheyhaveapatternofavailabilityandapatternofusage,eveniftheirpatternandusageisirregularinnature.

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Place:BrewersRetailInc.andMinistryofLabour,andUnitedFoodandCommercialWorkers(UFCW)Local2782[1995]O.O.H.S.A.D.No.20DecisionNo.OHS95-20FileNo.AP.94-117(byDanaRandall)

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PartM:OPSEUhealthandsafetypolicies

OPSEUPolicyonHealthandSafetyCommittees

1. Eachlocalunionmustformastandingunionhealthandsafetycommittee(committees)thatisresponsibleandaccountabletothelocalexecutivecommittee(LEC).

2. EachcommitteeshallbecomposedofanappropriatenumberofmemberswhoareappointedbytheLECashealthandsafetycommitteepersons.

3. AllhealthandsafetycommitteepersonsshallserveonthecommitteeforatermofofficedeterminedbytheLEC,andshallserveatthepleasureoftheLEC.

4. Allhealthandsafetycommitteepersonsmusthavecompletedatleastone(1)weekendhealthandsafetyschool,andbytheendoftheirfirstterminofficemusthavecompleteda30-hourhealthandsafetyprogram.

5. Healthandsafetycommitteepersonsshallfocusonhealthandsafetymattersincludingparticipationasunionrepresentativesonjoint(union-management)healthandsafetycommittees.

6. Theunionhealthandsafetycommitteeshallberesponsibleforthefollowing:

(a) investigatingmembers’complaintsandassistinginobtainingaremedy.

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(b) inspectingtheworkplaceaspertheprovisionofthelegislationorcollectiveagreement.

(c) conductingorarranginghealthandsafetytrainingforlocalmembers.

(d) regularlyinformingmembersabouthealthandsafetyhazardsandtheirrightsunderthelegislationandtheircollectiveagreement.

(e) representingmembersduringMinistryofLabourinspectiontours,workrefusalsandhealthandsafetyhearings.

(f) callingintheMinistryofLabourinspectoratewhenconcernsareraisedbyindividualmembers.

7. Unionrepresentationofjoint(union-management)healthandsafetycommitteesshallconsistofatleastone(1)memberoftheLEC,andanappropriatenumberofhealthandsafetycommitteepersonsappointedbytheLECfromtheunionhealthandsafetycommittee.

8. UnionrepresentativesonjointcommitteesshallbesolelyaccountabletotheLECandthemembershipatallregularlyscheduledmeetings.

9. TheunionhealthandsafetycommitteeshallmeetasrequiredandreporttotheLECandthemembershipatallregularlyscheduledmeetings.

10. Eachhealthandsafetycommitteepersonshallbeprovidedwithawallet-sizecertificateandlapelpinwithahealthandsafetydesignationrecognizingtheirstatuswithinthelocalunion.

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OPSEUpolicyonselectionofcertifiedmembersandtrainers

InordertoensurethatcertifiedmembersonjointcommitteesremainaccountableandresponsibletothelocalunionandthememberstheyrepresentthefollowingpolicyhasbeendevelopedbytheOPSEU’sBoardofDirectors.Itisbasedontheprinciplethatthelocalunionisthebasicbuildingblockofourunion,andthatitistheelectedofficialsofthelocalunionthathavebeenempoweredtorepresenttheinterestofitsmembers:

1. Certifiedmembersonthejointhealthandsafetycommitteemustbeappointedbythelocalunionexecutiveandaredirectlyresponsibleandaccountabletothelocalexecutiveandserveatthediscretionofthelocalexecutive.

2. AllcertifiedmembersarerequiredtoundergopoliticalorientationbycompletingOPSEU’scourseonhealthandsafety.

3. Certifiedmemberswillbeappointedforasettermofofficedeterminedbythelocalexecutive.However,thelocalexecutivemayremoveanycertifiedmemberwhohasnotsatisfactorilyrepresentedthehealthandsafetyinterestofthemembers.

4. WorkercertificationinstructorsmustbeselectedbytheunionandundergounionorientationinhealthandsafetybycompletingOPSEU’scourseonhealthandsafety.

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ItisimportantthattheOPSEUrepresentativesonJHSCsarelinkedeffectivelywiththeirlocalunionandthattheyseethemselvesasadvocatesfortheirmembersandakeypartoftheunion.Whileemployerspromotethepopularmyththathealthandsafetyisnon-adversarialandbasedonpartnership,inrealityworkersandunionshavelittlesayinhealthandsafetydecision-makingunlesstheyfightfortheirrights.Theemployerobjectiveistodisarmourrepresentativesbyviewingthemassafetytechnicianswhoarenotfirstandforemostlocalunionofficialswhoarerepresentativeandaccountabletotheirmembers.

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PartN:OPSEUhealthandsafetypublicationsandresources

Publications

ViolenceatWork(revised2017)

AnInjuredWorker’sRighttoReturntoWorkSafely(1999)

SafeWork,HealthyWork:AGuideforHomeCareWorkers(1999)

OfficeErgonomicsWorkbook:publishedbyOccupationalHealthClinicsforOntarioWorkers;availableonOPSEUHealthandSafetywebsite

OPSEUhealthandsafetycourses

HealthandSafetyLevel1

Thiscourseisdesignedformembersandstewardswhowanttobecomemoreinvolvedinhealthandsafetyactivitiesintheirworkplace.Thereisastrongfocusonhealthandsafetyinlegislationtoenableparticipantstousethelegislationeffectivelyintheirownworkplaces.Participantsworkingroupstoexplorethelegislationandtogainabetterunderstandingoftheirrightsandemployers’obligationsundertheOccupationalHealthandSafetyActanditsregulations.Participantsareintroducedtotheconceptsofhazardidentification,assessmentandcontrolanddevelopagreaterunderstandingofthecomponentsofaneffectivehealthandsafetysystem.

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HealthandSafetyLevel2

ThiscourseisdesignedforHealthandSafetycommitteemembersandunionactivistswithastronginterestinHealthandSafety.ParticipantslearnhowtobemoreeffectivemembersoftheirJHSC’sastheyworkinsmallgroupslearninghowtobetteridentify,categorize,andcontrolhazards.Usingcasestudiesandexamplesfromtheirownworkplaces,participantslearnhowtoimproveworkplaceinspections,andhowtobeginaccidentandillnessinvestigations.Thecourseofferstheopportunitytoprioritizeandstrategizearoundhealthandsafetyproblemsandtoaddressproblemsspecifictoparticipants’ownworkplaces.ThecoursebuildsonthematerialinOPSEU’sLevel1courseandassumesthatparticipantshaveabasicknowledgeoftheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct.

HealthandSafetyLevel3

ThiscoursebuildsonconceptscoveredinOPSEUHealthandSafetyLevel1and2.OPSEUHealthandSafetyLevel3isdesignedtohelpunionactivists,workerjointhealthandsafetycommitteemembers,healthandsafetyrepresentatives,andworkerstoaddresscomplexhazardsusingtheirlocalhealthandsafetysystemsandexternalresources.Drawingfromtheirownexperiences,participantswillstrategizeeffectiveapproachestocomplexhazards,suchasinvestigatingconcernsaboutpotentialoccupationalcancersandergonomichazards.Participantswillalsolearnbasicapproachestoinvestigatingindoorairqualitycomplaints.TheywilldiscusstheprecautionaryprincipleandtheALARAprincipleandunderstandthecentralityofthesetwoconceptsinhealthandsafetyactivism.Participantswilldevelopstrategiestoaddressergonomichazards,developrecommendationsandpracticefacingtheemployertoproposetheirrecommendations,enhancingtheirorganizationskillsand

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confidencetorepresentmembersintheireffortstoachievesaferandhealthierworkplaces.**NEWin2017**Takingactiononworkplacestress

Thiscoursewilldevelopthecapacityofworkerstotakeactiononworkplacestressusingahealthandsafetyframeworkanduniontools.Thecoursewillhelpparticipantsidentifyworkplacefactorsthatnegativelyaffectworkers’healthandwellbeingandgainfamiliaritywithterminologyassociatedwithworkplacestress.Participantswillsharestoriesfromtheirworkplacesandstrategizehowtoresolvesomeoftheissuesusingthetoolsprovided.OPSEUEducationisofferedthroughregionaleducationsessions.ChecktheOPSEUwebsiteortalktoyourLocalPresidentforinformation.

Otherimportantresourcesandcollaborativeprojects:

MentalinjurytoolsforOntarioworkers(MITtoolkit)

AvailableontheOccupationalHealthClinicsforOntarioWorkers(OHCOW)websiteatwww.ohcow.on.ca

TheMentalInjuryToolkitisaresourcebook(andthreeshortvideos)foractivistswhowanttotakeactiononworkplacestressintheirworkplace.Thekitwalksyouthroughallyouneedtoknowaboutworkplacestress.

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• PART1—Whyshouldwecare?

• PART2—WorkplaceStress:Assumptions,terminology,andapproaches

• PART3—Whatareotherjurisdictionsdoing?

• PART4—Whataremylegalrightsandprotections?(focusonOntario)

• PART5—Whatdoesaworkplaceactionplanlooklike?

• PART6—Resources

PublicServicesHealthandSafetyAssociation(PSHSA)’sViolence,Aggression&ResponsiveBehaviour(VARB)Tools

OPSEUandotherunionsworkedincollaborationwithPSHSAandotherstakeholderstodevelopfivetoolkitsforworkplaceviolencepreventioninhealthcare.ThesekitshelpworkplacesrespondtomandatoryprovisionsintheOHSAregardingsummoningimmediateassistance,providinginformationaboutapersonwithahistoryofviolenceandriskassessment.

TheVARBtoolkitsare:

• OrganizationalRiskAssessment

• IndividualClientRiskAssessment

• Flagging

• Security

• PersonalSafetyResponseSystem.

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Forfurtherinformationonhealthandsafetymatters,contactyourstaffrepresentativeorOPSEUhealthandsafetyofficersatOPSEUheadoffice.