Employers must take every reasonable precaution to ensure the health and safety of people at or near the workplace.  Some of the main employer responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act are to:

• Provide a safe workplace
• Ensure training on how to do the work safely
• Ensure equipment is safe, with all guards in place
• Inform employees on what could harm them and the safety measures to take
• Offer clear direction on who employees talk to if something is not safe
• Based on OHS requirements, have a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (a JOHSC) or safety representatives in place
• Work together with the JOHSC, safety representatives and with provincial OHS officers
• Create an occupational health and safety policy and/or program as required by the Act
• Follow the OHS Act and regulations

As an employee, you are expected to take every reasonable precaution to protect your own health and safety, and that of other people at or near the workplace.  This includes:

• Doing everything possible to protect the safety of yourself and others at the workplace
• Reporting anything that might be dangerous to a supervisor
• Co-operating with your employer and fellow employees to protect your health and safety
• Using safety devices, equipment and clothing required by the employer and safety law
• Talking to and working with the JOHSC, safety reps and with provincial OHS officers
• Following the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations

As an employee, your rights are:

• To know about workplace hazards and how to keep yourself and others safe
• To take part in making the workplace safe
• To refuse work that is not safe for you or another worker