Warehouse working can be dangerous business if people do not fulfill their responsibilities for on-site health and safety.
Learning your responsibilities is the first step. You should also be aware of other people’s responsibilities so you know who to talk to if you see a hazard.
Identify Controls
Health and safety hazards could be controlled if everyone knew their own responsibilities and acted on them.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations (O.Reg. 213/91) define the responsibilities of workplace parties such as employer, supervisor and worker. You can get a copy of the Act and Regs from IHSA or by visiting ihsa.ca.
Here are some examples of responsibilities of workplace parties.
Employer
- Provide equipment, materials and protective devices and maintain them.
- Ensure that everyone and all processes comply with the requirements of the law.
- Provide information and instruction to protect worker’s health and safety.
- Provide competent supervision.
- Acquaint workers with hazards
- Take every precaution reasonable to protect workers.
- Ensure that all workers are at least 16 years old.
Supervisor
- Ensure that the health and safety of workers are never in danger.
- Ensure that workers work safely, according to the law.
- Ensure that workers use and wear any protective equipment or clothing required by the law or the employer.
- Advise workers of any possible danger to their health and safety on the job.
Worker
- Work safely at all times.
- Wear any protective equipment or clothing that your employer requires you to wear.
- Never remove a safety guard or any protective equipment.
- Report to your employer or supervisor any protective device that is missing or not working properly.
- Report to your employer or supervisor any hazard in the workplace.
- Report any violations of the law.
