STARTING YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM
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100-CAG-01-IGDO © 2025, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | WSPS.CA
Finance
Allocate funds to implement the overall health and safety aspects of your operation
Human Resources
Identify the "essential" requirements for all jobs
Assess the physical demands of all occupations, and develop selection tests
Match the physical requirements of work with the physical capabilities of individuals, taking human
rights considerations into account
Purchasing
Obtain health and safety information from suppliers
Include health and safety specifications when purchasing machinery, equipment and materials
Health and Safety Coordinator/Manager
Although health and safety is primarily a line management responsibility, both large and small firms can
benefit greatly from a staff person who devotes as much time as needed to health and safety.
See Appendix 1 for information on the function and responsibilities of health and safety coordinators/
managers.
Joint Health and Safety Committees or Health and Safety Representatives
Under OHSA, you must have a joint health and safety committee if you employ 20 or more workers (s.9
(2)). Your committee as a whole has certain powers and functions; worker members of your committee
have specific duties and rights relating, for example, to hazard identification, workplace inspections and
accident investigations. Workers and management must select one of their committee members to be
certified members, who have certain additional powers and functions.
If you employ from 6 to 19 workers, you must have a health and safety representative elected by the
workers (s.8 (1)). Representatives have functions and rights similar to those of committees.
See Appendix 2 for more information about Joint Health and Safety Committees or Health and Safety
Representatives.
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