Page 36 - EmpHandbook

HOSPITALITY SERVICES

HEALTH AND SAFETY

We all share the goal of making a safe and healthy workplace.
SAFETY is everyone’s responsibility.

Occupational Health and
Safety Act

The Occupational Health and Safety Act provides us
with the framework and tools to achieve the goal of
working in a safe and healthy workplace and sets out the
rights and responsibilities of all parties in the workplace.
It establishes procedures for dealing with workplace
hazards, and it provides enforcement of the law where
compliance has not been achieved voluntarily.

Joint Health and Safety Committees
Western University as an employer is responsible under
the Occupational Health and Safety Act, for establishing
and maintaining Joint Health and Safety Committees.
These committees are advisory bodies composed of
representatives of workers and management. Their
primary functions are the identification of workplace • report any known workplace hazard to the
health and safety hazards and making recommendations Employer or Supervisor
to management with respect to workplace health and • report any known violation of the Act or regulations
safety. In order to carry out these duties, they perform to the Employer or Supervisor
regular inspections of the workplace. • not remove or make ineffective any
protective device required by the Employer or by
The Joint Health and Safety Committee has several the regulations
important rights and responsibilities: • not use or operate any equipment or work in a way
1. Identify workplace hazards that may endanger any worker
2. Obtain information from the Employee • not engage in any prank, horseplay, contest, feat
3. Make recommendations to the Employer of strength, unnecessary running or rough and
4. Investigate work refusals boisterous conduct
5. Investigate serious accidents
6. Obtain information from Workers’ Compensation Rights of Workers
Board • Right to select a worker representative
• Right to refuse or stop unsafe work
Responsibilities of Workers • Right to participate through JHSC
Workers also have several general duties under the Act. • Right to know
A worker must take responsibility for personal health
and safety insofar as he or she is able. Under the Act, a Responsibilities of the Employer
worker must:
• work in compliance with the Act and regulations • Provide worker training
• use or wear any equipment, protective devices or • Provide personal protective equipment
where required
clothing required by the Employer (ie. footwear,
protective glasses, head protection, masks, etc.) • Report all accidents and injuries to the Ministry of
• report to the Employer or Supervisor any known Labour
missing or defective equipment or protective device • Must take every reasonable precaution for the
that may be dangerous protection of the worker

HEALTH & SAFETY (35) EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK