LANDSCAPE ONTARIO – WORKPLACE SAFETY TAILGATE TALKS
4 © 2026, WSPS.CA
Roles and Responsibilities
Everyone has a role to play when it comes to safety. It's important
to know how everyone can contribute to a safe and efficient
workplace by understanding the roles, responsibilities and
rights of management, supervisors and workers (Table 1). Refer
to sections 25–28 of the OHSA for greater detail on roles and
responsibilities. All roles and responsibilities of each of these three
groups must be in writing and should be highlighted in either their
job description or the company's policies.
The following rights apply to all workers under the OHSA:
Right to know
Right to participate
Right to refuse unsafe work
Table 1: Roles and Responsibilities Chart
MANAGEMENT SUPERVISORS WORKERS
health and safety
system direction
and planning
take every precaution
reasonable in
the protection
of the worker
ensure equipment,
materials and
protective devices
are provided and
maintained in
good condition
appoint competent
supervision and hold
them accountable
actively support
health and safety
programs in
compliance
with OHSA
provide direction and
guidance to workers
enforce correct
working procedures
and use of personal
protective equipment
communicate
hazards and
control procedures
to workers
take reasonable
precautions to ensure
safety of workers
collect and
report feedback
to management
cooperate with
all health and
safety initiatives
hold accountable
those workers
reporting to them
actively participate
in health and safety
work in compliance
of the OHSA and
company rules
and procedures
wear personal
protective equipment
assigned to them
report defective
equipment
report incidents,
injuries and near
misses, to supervisor
no matter how minor
use machinery,
equipment, tools,
etc., only as
authorized and
in a safe manner
cooperate with
all health and
safety initiatives
