Implementing Workplace Health and Safety in Canada
A strong workplace health and safety program can help set your company up for success. Learn why workplace safety is essential to protecting your employees and business, safety regulations in Canada and specific steps you should take to implement a robust workplace health and safety program.
What is Workplace Health and Safety?
Workplace health and safety is the practices, policies and procedures that companies put in place to protect employees from job hazards and ensure a healthy work environment. It encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at preventing accidents, injuries and illnesses, such as identifying and assessing potential hazards, providing training and implementing safety measures. Occupational health and safety programs focus on both physical and mental well-being, ensuring that workers are equipped to handle risks associated with their tasks. By addressing workplace health hazards early, employers not only keep their workers injury-free but also foster a secure work environment where everyone feels safe and valued.
Why Canadian Employers Should Implement Workplace Safety Measures
Implementing safety measures is essential for helping you maintain safe and healthy workplaces. These safety measures help employers in Canada prevent work-related injuries, reduce illness and foster a strong culture of safety that benefits both employees and employers. Companies without proper workplace safety measures face significant risks, including increased workers’ compensation claims, productivity losses and potential legal liability that can impact your bottom line. By clearly defining safety roles and responsibilities, you’re helping empower your workforce to actively participate in maintaining a secure workplace. While employers must comply with workplace safety regulations, implementing safety measures provides many additional benefits such as higher employee engagement and reduced accident rates.
Workplace Safety Regulations in Canada
Canada’s workplace health and safety regulations have been shaped by Canada’s historical events and key legislative milestones. Take the Hogg’s Hollow Disaster of 1960, where five Italian immigrant workers were killed while installing a water main in a tunnel under the Don River in Toronto. The workers died from carbon monoxide poisoning and drowned after a fire caused the tunnel to collapse and fill with water. This tragedy, and others like it, fueled public demand for safer working conditions and regulations in Canada, which resulted in the Industrial Safety Act of 1964 and later the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S Act). The need to develop comprehensive health and safety programs nationwide also led to the establishment of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) and called for companies to create mandatory health and safety committees. Today, these regulations continue to evolve to provide businesses with clear guidelines for creating safe workplaces.
Steps to Implementing a Workplace Health and Safety Program
Ready to implement a workplace health and safety program but aren’t sure where to start? Building a strong program requires thoughtful planning, active employee involvement and an ongoing commitment to safety. Here are some steps employers can take to start or strengthen a workplace health and safety program.
Identify Goals and Tailor Your Program
The first step to implementing a workplace health and safety program is to set clear, industry-specific objectives and goals. These will be different for every company and industry. In some high-risk workplaces in Canada, such as the oil and manufacturing sectors, developing tailored health and safety programs are crucial for ensuring safe work. Establishing policies and actively involving employees in program development can help ensure comprehensive coverage of potential hazards.
Conduct Hazard Assessments
Protect your workers by conducting thorough assessments to identify health and safety hazards in the workplace. Regular inspections identify and address potential risks and workplace injuries by ensuring hazards are spotted and controlled before they impact your operations. By involving employees in hazard assessments, employers benefit from firsthand knowledge of day-to-day risks, increasing the likelihood of identifying hidden or overlooked dangers. For example, common health and safety hazards for industrial workers in Canada include extreme weather conditions, which can cause heat stress or hypothermia, and dangers associated with working with heavy machinery, such as moving parts, equipment malfunctions or improper machine handling. Proactively addressing these risks with tailored safety measures not only protects workers but also minimizes disruptions and maintains operational efficiency.
Provide Training and Supervision
Ongoing training and supervision are essential for ensuring workers can recognize hazards and respond effectively. Both new and existing employees need to be able to identify potential risks, understand emergency protocols and follow safe work practices. By providing clear information instructions and ensuring workers receive ongoing education, you can help your employees stay vigilant.
Foster a Safety Culture
Creating a strong safety culture helps make workplaces safer by encouraging open and honest communication about health and safety issues. One key way to support this is through a health and safety committee. Employers in Canada are federally mandated to establish health and safety committees for businesses with more than 20 employees or appoint a health and safety representative for companies with less than 20 employees. These committees help foster a culture of safety where every worker feels responsible for upholding health and safety standards.
Bring in a Workplace Health and Safety Expert
Benefits of Working With a Safety Expert
Sometimes, it can be hard to spot safety hazards within your own workplace. Bringing in a third-party safety expert can provide a more objective assessment and reveal safety concerns that could be overlooked. Safety experts also have knowledge of federal and provincial regulations, along with specialized training that can help strengthen your safety program and ensure your business is in compliance with health and safety standards.