Occupational Health and Safety Regulation in the Food Industry: A Legal Requirement

Occupational health and safety (OHS) programs are a legal requirement, as specified in sections 3.1 to 3.4 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (the Regulation). Every food and beverage business must have an OHS program to help prevent accidents and injuries. An effective program will also help you deal with any incidents that do occur.
Every workplace is different, so it is important for you to develop an OHS program that addresses the specific needs of your operation. This OHS Program Template can serve as a starting point. It contains the basic components of a program, which you can modify and add to as necessary to create your own unique program.
Once you have developed your OHS program, you will need to review it at least once a year to make sure it remains current and effective. An annual review will help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your program so you can focus on the areas that need improvement. It is a good idea to include employees in the review process.
The success of a well-developed safety program depends upon the effectiveness of training efforts. According to the Regulation, employees must be informed about potential hazards in the workplace and the safe work practices that they should follow to minimize risks. Training and education should begin with orientation. An effective safety orientation allows us to communicate the philosophy of management or owners, safety rules and regulations, and the ways and means of developing good, productive, and safe work habits. Following orientation, training should continue through the entire period of employment.
Training requirements are described in various sections of the Regulation — one key area is section 3.23, Young and New Worker Orientation and Training. Management must ensure that all employees are trained in safe work practices and that they are properly supervised on an ongoing basis.
It is our policy to ensure that employee training is provided to enhance employee safety and meet regulatory training requirements.
Training Program Requirements
Good business practice and safety requirements dictate that each employee receives safety training:
At the initial orientation
When employees receive a change in job task or new responsibilities requiring new orientation
When employees are exposed to new substances, processes, procedures, or equipment
Whenever a new hazard is identified
Safety training brings new ideas into the workplace or re-establishes desired methods for achieving safer work practices. It also allows managers to review the other elements of the safety program with employees and ensure that they are put into action on a daily basis.
Manager Responsibilities
Managers are expected to train employees in the proper use of equipment and safe methods of performing their jobs.
Periodically, managers will receive management training. General safety orientation will be provided as part of new employee orientation process.
It is the responsibility of managers to ensure that every employee has been oriented in safety matters and agrees, in writing, to abide by all rules.
Managers are required to take the time to review the written safety rules with every new employee.
Managers or supervisors are required to provide safety orientation to new employees or existing employees who are moving to a new position or a new worksite. Safety orientation may include the following:
Orientation and discussion of the company’s health and safety philosophy and employee safety responsibilities
Discussion and distribution of the health and safety employee training material and issues included
Discussion about safety policies as they relate to the employee’s work setting
Procedures to follow when working alone
Explanation and issuance of materials related to WorkSafeBC
Review of reporting procedures for work-related injuries and accidents
Review of emergency procedures for reporting accidents and gaining medical treatment
Documentation of training
Communicate risks associated with injuries potentially arising out of violence in the workplace
Communicate the risk factors associated with injuries potentially arising out of the physical demands of the job
Review evacuation procedures in case of a fire or an emergency
All employees are obligated to meet the attendance expectations of the job.
If an employee does get injured, then the employee, doctor, and management team need to work together towards a full and healthy return to work.
Joint health and safety committees are required under sections 125 to 140 of the Workers Compensation Act. These committees help create safer work environments by recommending ways to improve workplace health and safety and promoting compliance with the Regulation and the Act. All workplaces that regularly employ 20 or more workers must establish and maintain a joint health and safety committee. (Regularly employed means employed for at least one month, whether full-time or part-time.) Workplaces that regularly employ more than 9 but fewer than 20 workers are usually required to have at least one worker health and safety representative rather than a committee.
Responsibilities
Work together to identify health and safety concerns and make recommendations to help reduce incidents.
Provide a means to communicate and improve safety awareness.
Consult with management and employees to find ways to reduce and prevent accidents.
Develop individual and group responsibilities, and improve techniques for safe work practices.
Promote safety throughout the organization.
Promote compliance with the Regulation and the Act.
The effectiveness and credibility of the committee depends on their ability to get results. Results can best be achieved by conducting effective meetings. Record and post minutes. The committee should review:
All meeting minutes from restaurants
Inspection reports from the local committees
Items that are ongoing problems in a specific location
Items that are consistently problematic
The committee should meet at least once a month to discuss health and safety matters of general interest and importance. Additional meetings may be scheduled by any of the members, if a meeting is necessary to address imminent danger issues, special incident investigations, regulatory matters, or other business requiring prompt attention by management.