Ontario’s Occupational Health &
Safety Act (OHSA) came into force in October 1979. The main principle of the OHSA is that
workers, supervisors and employers share the responsibility for health and
safety in the workplace. The OHSA sets out the rights and duties of all
workplace parties and it gives Ministry of Labour inspectors the authority to
inspect the workplace to ensure compliance with the OHSA, and to investigate
complaints, critical injuries and fatalities.
Farm operations
came under the OHSA on June 30, 2006. This means that:
- the rights and duties for workers
and employers outlined in the OHSA apply;
- inspection and enforcement apply;
and
- both workers and employers must
participate in workplace health and safety matters.
Farm operations without paid workers
are exempt from the OHSA.
Employers
Under the OHSA,
the employers must:
- provide information, instruction
and supervision to workers;
- advise workers about hazards in
the workplace; and
- notify the MOL of
workplace fatalities and critical injuries.
Employers with six or more regularly
employed workers also have to develop an occupational health and safety policy
and program.
Workers
Farm workers
have the right to:
- participate in decisions about
health and safety at the workplace
- know about workplace hazards, and
- refuse unsafe work.
Workplace
Safety and Prevention Services has resources to help develop health and safety plans
and practices, such as Ontario FarmSafe Plan. You can contact them at 1-877-494-WSPS
(9777) or check out their website: wsps.ca.
Ontario
Pesticide Education Program has a manual for workers who work on farms where
pesticides are used, but do not handle or apply pesticides. Contact OPEP for a
copy of Pesticide Safety for Farm Workers.
1-800-652-8573 opep.ca rcopep@uoguelph.ca