OHS Laws & Regulations for Supervisors
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This OHS Laws & Regulations for Supervisors course introduces supervisors to their legal duties and responsibilities, their due diligence expectations, and enforcement mechanisms under both Provincial and Federal OHS frameworks. This course is designed to assist supervisors to not only be in compliance with the law but also create a proactive culture of health and safety in their organizations. While this program references the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario, this information can also be considered best practices and will be relevant to most Provinces and Territories in Canada. This OHS Laws & Regulations for Supervisors course is applicable across all Canadian industries, with an emphasis on Ontario workplaces, and provides insight into federal workplaces under Canada Labour Code Part II.
Upon completion of this program, supervisors will be able to:
- Understand the legal framework of OHS in Canada, with a focus on Ontario's OHSA
- Identify their legal responsibilities as a supervisor
- Demonstrate what it means to exercise “due diligence” in supervisory roles
- Understand the three basic rights of workers (Right to Know, Participate, Refuse)
- Recognize enforcement actions such as inspections, fines, stop-work orders, prosecutions
- Implement effective safety policies and practices aligned with legal standards
- Communicate OHS expectations clearly to their teams
- Manage hazards, incidents, and workplace investigations within the law
OHS Laws & Regulations for Supervisors – Course Outline
Overview of OHS Law in Canada
- Federal vs Provincial OHS systems
- Legal jurisdictions: Canada Labour Code: Part II vs. Provincial Acts
- Who is a supervisor under the law?
OHSA Ontario Overview
- Key provisions of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Definitions of employer, supervisor, and worker
- Role of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development or MLITSD
Supervisor Responsibilities Under OHSA
- Ensuring worker compliance
- Providing written and oral instructions
- Taking every reasonable precaution for worker protection (Section 27)
- Legal definition of "supervisor" and "competent person"
Due Diligence for Supervisors
- What is due diligence?
- Documentation, training, and enforcement
- Risk assessment and prevention strategies
Worker Rights and Participation
- Right to Know, Right to Participate, Right to Refuse Unsafe Work
- Internal Responsibility System (IRS)
- Role of the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC)
Penalties and Enforcement
- Ministry inspections and orders
- Ticketing, fines, and court prosecution
- Bill C-45 (Westray Bill) and Criminal Code provisions
Creating a Safety Culture
- The supervisor’s role in leading safety
- Communicating safety policies and expectations
- Promoting accountability and engagement
- Incident response and corrective action planning
