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Canada Worker Health and Safety
Newfoundland & Labrador Resources

Overview

Please review the information below and then return to the Worker Health and Safety Awareness course.

Applicable Laws

Occupational Health and Safety ActOpens in new window

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations

Government Office

WorkplaceNL
Telephone: 1-800-563-9000

OHS: General Inquiries & Complaints: 709-729-2706 or 1-800-563-5471

Serious Workplace Accident Reports (only): (709) 729-4444 (24 Hours)
https://www.gov.nl.ca/dgsnl/ohs/

Rights

Of the Worker:

  • The right to know
  • The right to participate
  • The right to refuse unsafe work 

Duties

Of the Worker:

  • Make all reasonable efforts to protect their own health and safety, and that of workers and other persons at, or near, the workplace. [OHS Act, s. 6]
  • Cooperate with the employer and co-workers to protect the health and safety of everyone in the workplace. [OHS Act, s. 7(a)]
  • Consult and cooperate with the OHS Committee, WHS Representative, or Designate. [OHS Act, s. 7(b)]
  • Cooperate with a person exercising a duty imposed by the OHS Act or Regulations, such as an OHS Officer. [OHS Act, s. 7(c)]
  • Use or wear all necessary PPE and safety devices according to manufactures instructions and training. [OHS Act, s. 7(a.1)] [OHS Regs., s. 17(1)]
  • Follow safe work practices and procedures. [OHS Regs., s. 17(2)]
  • Immediately report hazards to the supervisor or employer. [OHS Regs., s. 17(3)]
  • Not carry out work, or operate a tool, appliance or equipment, where a present or potential hazard creates imminent danger to themselves or others. [OHS Act, s. 8]
  • Not enter or remain at the workplace when impaired by an intoxicating substance or another cause that affects their ability to perform work safely or that may endanger themselves or others. [OHS Regs., s. 26(2)]
  • Not engage in horseplay, scuffling, unnecessary running or jumping, practical jokes, or other similar hazardous behaviours. [OHS Regs., s. 26(3)]
  • Make sure that all guards are in place and no one will be endangered, before starting any tools, machinery, or equipment. [OHS Regs., s. 26(4)]
  • Participate in training and hazard assessments, where it is offered.
  • Not use equipment or perform work tasks where the training required by the legislation has not yet taken place.

 

Of the Supervisor:

  • Make all reasonable efforts to protect the health, safety and welfare of the workers under their supervision. [OHS Act, s. 5.1]
  • Advise workers under their supervision of present and potential workplace hazards, and provide written or oral instructions about safety precautions that must be followed. [OHS Act, s. 5.2(a)(b)]
  • Make sure the workers under their supervision use or wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety devices required for their protection. [OHS Act, s. 5.2(c)]
  • Not allow employers, themselves, or workers to enter or remain at the workplace when impaired by an intoxicating substance or another cause that affects their ability to perform work safely or that may endanger themselves or others. [OHS Regs., s. 26(2)]

Occupational Health and Safety Committees

Employers with 20 or more workers must establish an occupational health and safety committee to monitor the health, safety and welfare of the workers. 

Right to Refuse Procedures

A worker may refuse to do work that the worker has reasonable grounds to believe is dangerous to the health or safety of the worker, another worker or another person at the workplace, until remedial action has been taken by the employer, or until the committee or worker health and safety representative has investigated the matter and advised the worker to return to work, or until an officer has investigated the matter and has advised the worker to return to work. The worker does so by immediately reporting to the worker’s supervisor.  Employers cannot take discriminatory action because a worker has reasonably refused to work in accordance with NL law.