Understanding Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 

What is the OH&S Act?

The Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act ensures safe and healthy working conditions for all employees in Canada. While each province and territory has its own version of the OH&S Act to address local needs, they all outline the rights and responsibilities employers and employees have to provide a safe work environment. One of the ways this is done is through what is called the Internal Responsibility System (IRS). This states that workplace safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone, from workers to high-level managers, plays a direct role in upholding health and safety standards through their actions and conduct.

Worker’s Rights & Responsibilities

The OH&S Act provides workers with specific rights, including:

• The right to refuse work they deem unsafe
• The right to participate in health and safety activities
• The right to know about dangers in their workplace

Along with these rights come responsibilities for workers to play their part in ensuring a safe working environment. Some of the responsibilities include:

• Working in compliance with the OH&S Act
• Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and wearing appropriate clothing or uniform 
• Reporting workplace hazards or dangers 

Employer’s Responsibilities

On the other hand, the OH&S Act requires employers to ensure workplace safety through specific requirements. Some of the responsibilities include:

• Creating a joint health and safety committee
• Taking reasonable precautions to provide a safe workplace for employees
• Supplying PPE equipment and training
• Reporting critical injuries to the authorities 
• Training employees on how to handle hazardous materials and what to do in the event of an emergency

For a full list of OH&S guidelines, refer to Canada’s National Occupational Health & Safety Resources.

History of Occupational Health and Safety Regulations in Canada

Occupational health and safety regulations have come a long way since the 19th century. Take a look at the timeline of some of the events that have shaped Canada’s guidelines.

1884 British Factory Act

In 1884, The British Factory Act set limits on hours for workers in factories and set guidelines for women and child workers. However, the Act only applied to people working in factories, and its vague wording made these relations hard to enforce.

1914 First Workmen’s Compensation Act

In 1914, Ontario established the first Workmen’s Compensation Act, which served as a model for workers’ compensation laws in the U.S. However, the need for more significant regulations was recognized after the Hollow Disaster in 1960, when five Italian immigrants building a water main in Ontario died tragically.

Safety Act of 1964

This disaster prompted stricter safety regulations and led to the Industrial Safety Act of 1964, which expanded protections to address industrial hazards and mandated safety training and accident prevention practices.

1978 Occupational Health and Safety Act

In 1978, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OH&S) was put in place, establishing comprehensive guidelines and responsibilities for employers and employees to prevent work-related injury and illness. Shortly after, Canada established the Institute for Occupational Safety, which supports the implementation of these safety standards through research, resources and training initiatives. The Department of Labor was tasked with the job of enforcing these standards through inspections and ensuring employers comply with them.

Today, these health and safety regulations continue to evolve to ensure the safety of all workers. 

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is Canada’s Primary national resource for workplace health and safety. The organization is equivalent to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States. Employers and employees can take advantage of health and safety CCOHS resources, such as free publications, extensive databases and online courses. These resources are available in both English and French to be more accessible to all Canadians. The CCOHS also offers access to the CanOSH portal, an online directory of occupational health resources. This is considered the best resource for employers and workers in Canada and contains information about workplace regulations, hazard prevention guidelines, and the latest information on workplace safety standards.

Federal vs. Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 

Each province and territory has its own specific occupational health and safety regulations that are designed to address local needs. However, companies that are agencies of the crown or that work across provincial or territorial borders adhere to federal regulations under the Canadian Labour Code. These federal regulations ensure safety standards across industries that are critical for the nation’s economy and infrastructure. Here’s a list of the types of industries that are guided by federal regulations:

OH&S Resources by Province & Territory

Companies that are not agencies of the crown or in a federally regulated industry must adhere to the OH&S Act of their province or territory. Understanding the geographical nuances of these regulations is essential for employers to effectively prevent injuries and illness, as well as the risk of death or serious physical harm in the workplace. By adhering to these standards, companies can create safe and healthful working environments for their employees. Below is a list of all the provinces and territories and links to additional resources.