Occupational Health & Safety

In the workplace, health and safety is a shared responsibility.

What is a safety hazard?

Safety hazards are anything that could cause physical or psychological injury. Safety hazards occur when adequate workplace standards are not met.

Every workplace should have a system in place to identify, assess and control workplace hazards.

What is an occupational health hazard?

Occupational health hazards could be materials or conditions that can cause injuries and/or illness. These hazards can cause immediate and severe effects or slow and gradual injury.

Some examples of occupational hazards include:

  • Chemical (acid, solvents, paint)
  • Biological (bacteria, viruses, dust, moulds)
  • Physical Agents (electrical currents, heat, light, noise, radiation)
  • Ergonomic (poor workstation designs)
  • Other Stress Agents (violence, abuse, harassment)
What is a dangerous occurrence?

A dangerous occurrence is any occurrence at a place of employment that did not result in but could have resulted in the death of a worker or required workers to be admitted to the hospital as an in-patient for 72 hours or more.

Dangerous occurrences should be reported the same way a safety concern should be reported.

What is a near miss?

A near miss or a close call is an unplanned event that has the potential to cause, but does not actually result in human injury, environmental or equipment damage, or an interruption to normal operation.

Near misses should be reported the same way a safety concern should be reported.

Who can I ask if I am still unsure about obvious or potential hazards in my workplace?

Talk to your manager or supervisor. If your concerns are not resolved with them, contact the occupational health committee in your workplace. For all unresolved concerns or issues, contact the Government of Saskatchewan’s OH&S division at 1-800-567-7233 or [email protected]. WHEN TO CONTACT HSAS? WHAT WOULD THE HSAS ROLE BE?

What do I do if I have a safety concern at work?

Do not leave the work site. Follow these steps:

  • Immediately notify your manager or supervisor and explain your concerns. They should promptly investigate the concern and take appropriate corrective action.
  • If your manager or supervisor cannot resolve your concerns, contact your occupational health and safety committee (OHC). The OHC will investigate the safety concern and determine the next steps to resolve the issue.
  • If your concerns cannot be resolved at the OHC level within the workplace, you have the right to contact the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety at 1-800-567-7233 or [email protected]. An OH&S Officer from the Ministry will offer advice or assistance to help resolve the issue.
  • When to Contact HSAS?

When an occupational health and safety committee identifies unsafe working conditions, they should provide written notice about the unsafe conditions and recommend corrective actions to your employer. WHEN/HOW DO THEY NOTIFY THE WORKERS?

What do I do if I feel that I am being harassed or bullied at work?

Saskatchewan workers have the right to a healthy and safe work environment, free from harassment. Employers must take reasonable steps to prevent and stop harassment connected to a worker’s employment.

If you have experienced or observed harassment in your workplace, you must report it to your manager or supervisor to first try to resolve the issue internally. If your employer has failed to take reasonable steps to address the harassment, you can request the assistance of the Ministry of Labour and Workplace Safety’s Occupational Health and Safety Branch at 1-800-567-7233 or [email protected] or contact HSAS here.

Where do I find my local occupational health and safety committee information, including the chairs and co-chairs?

OHC information, including chair and co-chair information, is found at the Occupational Health Committee Resource Centre here. You need SHA login credentials to access the site.

  • Once logged in, scroll down to “PowerPoint Presentation,” then find your facility or worksite and click on it.
  • All co-chairs and members of your local OHS should be listed there.
  • If this information is missing, contact HSAS here.

If you need help accessing the site, contact [email protected].

What are my occupational health and safety responsibilities as a worker?

While at work, workers have a responsibility to work and act safely.

A worker’s health and safety responsibilities include:

  • Understanding and following health and safety requirements outlined in the Saskatchewan OH&S Legislation and employer policies and best practices.
  • Proper and consistent use of safety equipment, safety devices and personal protective equipment.
  • Cooperation and respect of the occupational health and safety committee and its findings or recommended changes.
  • Not causing or participating in the harassment of others in the workplace.
What are the occupational health and safety responsibilities of my employer?

From the Government of Saskatchewan:

All employers must meet the minimum requirements for health and safety standards as required by law.

Under The Saskatchewan Employment Act, an employer must:

  • provide a safe and healthy workplace;
  • establish and maintain an effective health and safety program and obtain input from the occupational health committee (OHC);
  • make sure that managers and supervisors are trained, supported, and held accountable for fulfilling their workplace health and safety requirements;
  • oversee the health and safety performance of their managers and supervisors;
  • make sure workers have the information, training, certification, supervision, and experience to do their jobs safely;
  • make sure medical/first aid facilities are provided as needed;
  • set up effective occupational health committees;
  • co-operate with the OHC, occupational health and safety (OHS) representative and other parties to resolve health and safety issues in a timely fashion;
  • keep OHC/OHS representative meeting minutes on file and readily available;
  • ensure workers are not exposed to harassment in the workplace; and
  • ensure that legal health and safety requirements are met.

Employers are also required to have a copy of The Saskatchewan Employment Act and regulations readily available to workers and management.

How do I join my local occupational health and safety committee?

HSAS members can volunteer to join the OHC in their workplace. From time to time, local OHC committees may have vacancies on their committee and the Union will send out a call for OHC members via email. If you are interested in joining your local OHC? CONTACT US? LOOK ON SHARE POINT?

Refer to Article 22 – Workplace Occupational Health Committees of the HSAS Bylaws for the Union’s process to appoint members to OHCs.

What are the time commitment and responsibilities of an OHC member?

When you join an OHC you are provided with the training necessary to carry out the committee’s responsibilities. The training is done during paid work time.

OHCs must meet at least once every three months. Time spent attending meetings is considered paid time. The term of a committee member is up to three years.

What do I do if I have a safety concern at work?

Do not leave the work site. Follow these steps:

  • Immediately notify your manager or supervisor and explain your concerns. They should promptly investigate the concern and take appropriate corrective action.
  • If your manager or supervisor cannot resolve your concerns, contact your occupational health and safety committee (OHC). The OHC will investigate the safety concern and determine the next steps to resolve the issue.
  • If your concerns cannot be resolved at the OHC level within the workplace, you have the right to contact the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety at 1-800-567-7233 or [email protected]. An OH&S Officer from the Ministry will offer advice or assistance to help resolve the issue.
  • When to Contact HSAS?

When an occupational health and safety committee identifies unsafe working conditions, they should provide written notice about the unsafe conditions and recommend corrective actions to your employer.

What do I do if my manager/supervisor and local OHC have decided that my concerns are not safety related, and I disagree?
  • Contact HSAS MORE ON THIS PROCESS AND WHY
  • Contact the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety at 1-800-567-7233 or [email protected].
How do I refuse unsafe work?

Do not leave the work site. Follow these steps:

  • Immediately notify your manager or supervisor and explain your concerns. They must inform other workers who may be required to do the same work that there has been a refusal to carry out that work.
  • If your manager or supervisor cannot resolve your concerns, contact your occupational health and safety committee (OHC).
  • The OHC will investigate the refusal to determine if there are reasonable grounds for you to refuse the work. This decision must be unanimous.
  • If your concerns cannot be resolved at the OHC level within the workplace, you have the right to contact the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety at 1-800-567-7233 or [email protected]. An OH&S Officer from the Ministry will investigate the refusal and provide a written decision.
  • When to Contact HSAS?

For additional information about recommended processes for resolving work refusals, click here. WHAT LINK?

Refer to Part III, Division 5 of The Saskatchewan Employment Act for the Right to Refuse Dangerous Work here. SHOULD WE MAKE THIS AVAILABLE ON OUR SITE INSTEAD OF THIS DOWNLOAD LINK?