Under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act employers are required to post the Act and any explanatory material prepared by the Ministry of Labour. Now, this requirement includes the new Health & Safety at Work – Prevention Starts Here poster recommended by the Expert Advisory Panel back in 2010.
The poster summarizes workers’ health and safety rights and responsibilities and the responsibilities of employers and supervisors. It also reminds employers about the reprisal provisions under the Act (i.e., not to take action against workers for following the Act, raising workplace health and safety concerns or seeking enforcement of the OHSA). The poster encourages workers to get involved in health and safety and explains when and why to contact the Ministry of Labour.
To ensure employers have sufficient time to become aware of the new requirement to post the poster, inspectors will begin enforcing this requirement effective October 1, 2012.
Employers can now obtain a free new workplace poster “Health & Safety at Work – Prevention Starts Here” in English, French and 15 other languages