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Health & Safety Training

Bill 168: Workplace Violence and Harassment Policies

June 2010- Ministry of Labour

Bill 168: Templates and Toolbox provided by the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

Visit the Ministry of Labour Web site for Complete reference and guides. Visit: www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/pubs/fs_workplaceviolence.php

Please note that this template is provided for reference purposes only and should not be considered as legal or professional advice in any way. The use of this document is to aid the members of the association in developing their own policies and it is recommended that each member review their own policies with either the “Workplace Safety Group” a member of SAC, or the Ontario Ministry of Labour or independent legal counsel. The adoption of the practices described in this material may not meet all the needs, requirements or obligations of individual workplaces.

This template is provided for reference only.

Members are encouraged to follow the Toolbox document provided by the Ontario Ministry of Labour in developing their policies.

See below to download the Ministry of Labour's tool box. (PDF File size: 1,350 kb), or to download the model POLICIES TEMPLATE. (PDF File size: 48 kb).

application/pdf iconMinistry of Labour's tool box
application/pdf iconPOLICIES TEMPLATE

Preferred Pricing for Health & Safety Training for SAC-ACE Members

The Sign Association of Canada has partnered with the Workplace Safety Group to provide Health & Safety Training at preferred pricing for SAC-ACE members. These courses make Health and Safety Training accessible and affordable for every member, no matter what size of operation.

To find out more about the programs being offered, we invite you to look at their website www.workplacesafetygroup.com

Workplace Safety Group Courses Offered

Workplace Safety Group offers online health and safety training to every manager and employee affected by Bill C-45. Access to a full suite of courses encompassing everything from WHMIS to Office Ergonomics is available. Courses are fully interactive, accessible anywhere, anytime and meet health & safety guidelines. This method of course delivery saves enormous amounts of administrative time, eliminates costly “day-away” training, ensures test veracity and provides accurate records to prove “due diligence” for those in authority. Workplace Safety Group provides all administrative support with automatic monthly, customized reports and/or upon demand.

To view a Course Demo please click here for high speed connection (Flash), or here for a regular connection (HTML).

Please contact us to have the ORDER FORM e-mailed to you.*
*This special offer is available only to SAC members.
Email: sherri@sac-ace.ca

  • WebWSIT suite of 22 courses are $89.95 per person / year for SAC members
  • WHMIS online course for members is $30 per person

Provincial Bill 168 - Violence in the Workplace

What does this mean for employers?

With passing of Bill 168 in Ontario, workplace harassment and workplace violence are included within the sphere of issues wherein employers must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstance for the protection of a worker. This means that employers must ensure that both the risk of workplace harassment and risk of violence are minimized and that they must quickly and proactively respond to any acts of harassment or violence. Employer preparation includes creation and/or updating policies and procedures for both, anticipating and reacting to violence in the workplace.

To find out more about Bill 168 please go to: www.workplacesafetygroup.com/bill168/index.php

Federal Bill C-45

On March 31 2004, Bill C-45 amending the criminal code (Federal Legislation) came into effect. Bill C-45 clearly defines who is responsible for the safety of persons in the workplace and allows for prosecution under charges of “criminal negligence” when those responsibilities are carelessly or willfully disregarded.

The amendment states:
“Everyone who undertakes, or has the authority to direct how another person does work or performs a task is under legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to that person, or any other person, arising from that work or task.”

Federal Bill C-45 has far reaching implications in every business, including every sign shop, and as an association every member needs to be informed of their rights, responsibilities, and penalties for non-compliance.

WHMIS

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information system (WHMIS) is Canada’s hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are: (1) cautionary labeling of containers of WHMIS “controlled products”, (2) the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDS), (3) worker education programs.

WHMIS is applied through a coordination of federal, provincial and territorial legislation. MSDS and supplier labeling requirements are set out under the Hazardous Products Act and the associated Controlled Products Regulations. This Act and its regulations are administered by the Government of Canada, Department of Health.

Federal, provincial and territorial agencies, responsible for occupational health and safety, have established employer WHMIS requirements. These requirements place an onus on employers to ensure that controlled products used, stored, handled or disposed of in the workplace are properly labeled, MSDS are made available to workers and workers receive education and training in the use, storage, handling and disposal of these controlled products.

WHMIS reinforces the workers’ right-to-know what workplace hazards exist and the right to receive training in proper use, storage, handling and disposal of controlled products. It is the worker’s responsibility to make superiors aware of any unsafe work processes or conditions that might endanger themselves or others in the workplace.

If an employer is charged under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, they are presumed guilty until they can prove otherwise. In addition it is the employer's responsibility to ensure an employee has WHMIS training before they begin working.

Contractors and Contract Workers

"Contractor" means a person who, pursuant to one or more contracts, directs the activities of one or more employers or self-employed persons involved in work at a workplace; («entrepreneur»)

"Prime Contractor" means the prime contractor for a construction project referred to in section 7; («entrepreneur principal»)

"Worker" includes any person engaged by another person to perform services, whether under a contract of employment or not
Source: The Workplace Health & Safety Act

Employing contractors is a common practice today, but what are the responsibilities regarding their health and safety? Owners, employers and contractors, involved in a contract have responsibilities to ensure that the work is done safely and according to the health and safety legislation in their jurisdiction. Contractors are required, as far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that workplaces and work processes do not create a risk to the health and safety of any persons working as an employer, employer’s worker or self-employed person carrying out a contract with the contractor.

There must be a prime contractor for a project when more than one employer or self-employed person is involved in a work project at the same time. The prime contractor must ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that every person involved in a work project complies with the health and safety requirements of the project jurisdiction, so that no person is exposed to risks to his or her health and safety arising from activities at the project site.

It is important to remember that employers, contractors and sub-contractors carry responsibility to comply with jurisdictional legislation and ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of any persons working at their work projects and sites.

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