Get to know Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act

Most workplaces have a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) around somewhere. While it’s true that the Act has been spotted being used as a door stop or paperweight (a use we do not endorse!), it is actually an incredibly important part of the workplace safety program, and it needs to be posted in a conspicuous location. Not only does the Act protect worker rights and aim to keep workplaces safe, it is also a guide and a resource for more information.

With practice, learning to use the Act effectively will be second nature

Navigating the Act

If you’ve ever attempted to look something up in the Act, and been unsure of what you’re looking at, rest assured you’re not alone. Navigating the Act can be a bit tricky. But, with practice, learning to use the Act effectively will be second nature. Knowing how to use, read, interpret the Act will be a huge benefit to the organization. After all, the Act is the foundation on which your health and safety program is built! 

Train your team to Navigate the Act

Top Five Tips for Navigating the Act

1. Get a Current Copy 
The Act changes from year to year. Updates are intended to make the Act stronger and expand the scope of protection it offers to workers. Posting the Act is mandatory and having the most current copy on hand ensures that you have access to all of the latest changes and updates. Having a current copy of the Act also keeps your organization compliant. For your convenience, MidSouthWest offers a completely up-to-date and current Act every year.​

2. Use the Index 
Make navigating the Act fast and easy by using the index! You can quickly and easily look up legislation and regulations by looking up keywords in the back of the Act. ​

​3. Understand the Verbiage 
The Act is full of verbiage that can make navigating the Act confusing. To easily understand the Act, understand the verbiage:

• Shall: When the Act uses “shall” that means mandatory
• And: When you see “and” that means that all elements of the clause must be present
• May: May means that an element may or may not be present
• Or: When you see “or,” that means that one or another element is required or present
• Prescribed: “Prescribed” indicates that you must look elsewhere. For example, “Prescribed under a specific regulation” indicates that there is more information contained in the regulation. Other prescribed sources of information may include SDSs, Operators’ Manuals, policies and procedures, etc.

 
Along with specific verbiage, it’s important to understand that the Act is “strict liability” legislation, which allows employers the option of a due diligence defense. That’s why being familiar with the Act and Regulations is essential.​

4. Don’t Neglect the Regulations  
There’s so much attention paid to the Act and its contents – but don’t neglect the regulations! They’re industry-specific and chock-full of additional information and requirements. Because they’re industry-specific, knowing which regulation applies to your organization will help pinpoint which sections of the Act and regulations you need to be most aware of, and which ones you need to comply with!
 
5. Training  
Navigating the Act doesn’t need to be hard, but it is an acquired skill. That’s why MidSouthWest offers a crash course in the Act: Navigating the Act. This course goes over the tips above in greater detail, and teaches you how to:

• Locate information using the section and subsection markers at the top of each page
• Efficiently use the indices to quickly access vital information
• Interpret key definitions
• Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of key workplace parties
• And more!

When it comes to navigating the Act, don’t get bogged down. Implement the five tips above to make it a breeze!

Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting 

MidSouthWest Training and Consulting offers Navigating the Act training. We also offer consulting services, and we can help you to understand how the Act applies to your specific workplace. You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs.
 
To ask questions about how to navigate the Act, how to interpret its contents, or where to buy a current copy, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.

​Last updated March 5, 2020