Occupational Health and Safety Act
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Introduction
• The Occupational Health and Safety Act provides us with the framework and the tools to achieve this goal.• Changes to the Act in 1990 and subsequent years continued the evolution of occupational health and safety legislation in Ontario. These improvements are based on our experiences.
History
• Occupational injuries and illnesses have been present throughout history: – Ancient Egypt: stonemasons with respiratory problems– Industrial Revolution: introduction of new materials/ processes (asbestos, oils)• OHS first evident in late 1800’s in Ontario with the passage of legislation establishing safety standards .By the 1900’s every province had laws that regulated heating , lighting, ventilation, hygiene, fire safety, and accident reporting• 1974 was the start of the OHS system that we see today. The Royal Commission on the Health and Safety of Workers in Mines was formed by the Ontario government.• This commission was the first to articulate the 3 principle rights of workers. These 3 rights still enshrine out current legislation and provides the basis for the OHS programming in Canada.1. The right to refuse dangerous work without a penalty2. The right to participate in identifying and correcting health and safety problems3. The right to know about hazards in the workplace
Current OHSA
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) was created to ensure a safe working environment• Encompasses several regulations to cover various industries, working environments, and hazards• Allows for quantifiable guidelines on exposure to hazards • Used in combination with other Acts and Codes to maintain every worker’s basic right: to leave work in the same state they entered
Tragedies that changed the Safety Movement
• Elliot Lake Minor Strike – 1974 – Workers on Strike to protest deplorable health and safety conditions. Catalyst for the health and safety act. • Westray Mine Disaster 1992 – was the result of actions,
Introduction
• The Occupational Health and Safety Act provides us with the framework and the tools to achieve this goal.• Changes to the Act in 1990 and subsequent years continued the evolution of occupational health and safety legislation in Ontario. These improvements are based on our experiences.
History
• Occupational injuries and illnesses have been present throughout history: – Ancient Egypt: stonemasons with respiratory problems– Industrial Revolution: introduction of new materials/ processes (asbestos, oils)• OHS first evident in late 1800’s in Ontario with the passage of legislation establishing safety standards .By the 1900’s every province had laws that regulated heating , lighting, ventilation, hygiene, fire safety, and accident reporting• 1974 was the start of the OHS system that we see today. The Royal Commission on the Health and Safety of Workers in Mines was formed by the Ontario government.• This commission was the first to articulate the 3 principle rights of workers. These 3 rights still enshrine out current legislation and provides the basis for the OHS programming in Canada.1. The right to refuse dangerous work without a penalty2. The right to participate in identifying and correcting health and safety problems3. The right to know about hazards in the workplace
Current OHSA
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) was created to ensure a safe working environment• Encompasses several regulations to cover various industries, working environments, and hazards• Allows for quantifiable guidelines on exposure to hazards • Used in combination with other Acts and Codes to maintain every worker’s basic right: to leave work in the same state they entered
Tragedies that changed the Safety Movement
• Elliot Lake Minor Strike – 1974 – Workers on Strike to protest deplorable health and safety conditions. Catalyst for the health and safety act. • Westray Mine Disaster 1992 – was the result of actions,