FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our true passion is to assist our clients in achieving a total occupational safety and health program and to achieving compliance with WorkSafeBC OHSR / WCA regulations & OSHA law and regulations (WISHA). Whether you are a small, medium or large organisation in Vancouver, BC or Washington State, Western Safety and Health Consulting has a wide range of occupational health and safety consulting services to suit any organization. Our Occupational Health and Safety Consultants are experienced professionals and can assist your organization for any workplace safety needs you may have including health and safety program development and site health and safety audits.
We also offer a wide array of health and safety training courses.
Our true passion is to assist our clients in achieving a total occupational safety and health program and to achieving compliance with WorkSafeBC OHSR / WCA regulations & OSHA law and regulations (WISHA). Whether you are a small, medium or large organisation in Vancouver, BC or Washington State, Western Safety and Health Consulting has a wide range of occupational health and safety consulting services to suit any organization. Our Occupational Health and Safety Consultants are experienced professionals and can assist your organization for any workplace safety needs you may have including health and safety program development and site health and safety audits.
We also offer a wide array of health and safety training courses.
WHAT ARE THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA BC (CANADA) WHICH ALL EMPLOYERS MUST FOLLOW?
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) contains legal requirements that must be met by all workplaces in BC under the inspectional jurisdiction of WorkSafeBC. This includes most workplaces in BC, except mines and federally chartered workplaces such as banks, interprovincial and international transportation, telephone systems, and radio, television, and cable services.
The purpose of the OHSR is to promote occupational health and safety and to protect workers and other persons present at workplaces from work-related risks to their health, safety, and well-being. Compliance with the requirements provides the basis on which workers and employers, in cooperation, can solve workplace health and safety problems. The requirements are not an end in themselves, but are a foundation upon which to build an effective health and safety program.
WorkSafeBC is committed to the regular review of the requirements of the OHSR based on regulatory experience and changes in knowledge, technology, and work practices. All interested parties are invited to forward suggestions for improvement to WorkSafeBC . The requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation are adopted under the authority of the Workers Compensation Act.
Many sections of the OHSR have associated guidelines and policies, which are used to help interpret and apply the OHSR.
The purpose of the OHSR is to promote occupational health and safety and to protect workers and other persons present at workplaces from work-related risks to their health, safety, and well-being. Compliance with the requirements provides the basis on which workers and employers, in cooperation, can solve workplace health and safety problems. The requirements are not an end in themselves, but are a foundation upon which to build an effective health and safety program.
WorkSafeBC is committed to the regular review of the requirements of the OHSR based on regulatory experience and changes in knowledge, technology, and work practices. All interested parties are invited to forward suggestions for improvement to WorkSafeBC . The requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation are adopted under the authority of the Workers Compensation Act.
Many sections of the OHSR have associated guidelines and policies, which are used to help interpret and apply the OHSR.
WHAT ARE THE OCCUPATIONAL safety and health REGULATIONS IN washington state WA (USA) WHICH ALL EMPLOYERS MUST FOLLOW?
WISHA is the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, Chapter 49.17 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) (app.leg.wa.gov), enacted in 1973 by the Washington State legislature. In 1976, it became the nation's first fully operational state safety and health plan approved by the federal government. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is responsible for administering the requirements under WISHA.
As required by WISHA, DOSH enforce general safety and health standards, also called horizontal standards, that all employers must comply with (Chapters 296-24 and 296-62 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)). Industry-specific standards, also known as vertical standards, apply to about 30 specific industries, such as construction, logging, and agriculture. There are also administrative rules covering record keeping, posting of certain documents, and other paperwork requirements that must be followed by all employers (Chapters 296-27 and 296-900 WAC).
Employers in Washington must follow safety and health rules, called standards, to protect their employees from workplace hazards. The Department enforces the rules by inspecting workplaces without advance notice, and by investigating work-related fatalities, incidents and complaints. When a violation is found, WISHA / DOSH issue a citation requiring the employer to correct the hazard. The WISH Act requires monetary penalties for serious violations.
As required by WISHA, DOSH enforce general safety and health standards, also called horizontal standards, that all employers must comply with (Chapters 296-24 and 296-62 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC)). Industry-specific standards, also known as vertical standards, apply to about 30 specific industries, such as construction, logging, and agriculture. There are also administrative rules covering record keeping, posting of certain documents, and other paperwork requirements that must be followed by all employers (Chapters 296-27 and 296-900 WAC).
Employers in Washington must follow safety and health rules, called standards, to protect their employees from workplace hazards. The Department enforces the rules by inspecting workplaces without advance notice, and by investigating work-related fatalities, incidents and complaints. When a violation is found, WISHA / DOSH issue a citation requiring the employer to correct the hazard. The WISH Act requires monetary penalties for serious violations.
WHAT LEGAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES DO EMPLOYERS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA bc (cANADA) NEED TO FOLLOW?
Whether a business is large or small in BC, the WorkSafeBC OHSR requires that it be a safe and healthy place to work. If you are an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure a healthy and safe workplace.
Employer Responsibilities in British Columbia are to:
Employer Responsibilities in British Columbia are to:
- Establish a valid occupational health and safety program.
- Train your employees to do their work safely and provide proper supervision.
- Provide supervisors with the necessary support and training to carry out health and safety responsibilities.
- Ensure adequate first aid equipment, supplies, and trained attendants are on site to handle injuries.
- Regularly inspect your workplace to make sure everything is working properly.
- Fix problems reported by workers.
- Transport injured workers to the nearest location for medical treatment.
- Report all injuries to WorkSafeBC that required medical attention.
- Investigate incidents where workers are injured or equipment is damaged.
- Submit the necessary forms to WorkSafeBC.
WHAT LEGAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES DO EMPLOYERS IN washington state (usa) NEED TO FOLLOW?
WISHA, the Washington State Industrial Safety and Health Act, is designed to ensure employers are providing employees in Washington state with safer and healthful working environments. Under WISHA, employers must:
- Provide a safe and healthful workplace and comply with safety and health standards. Begin and maintain an accident-prevention program. The program must include both employer and worker representatives and be tailored to the particular needs of the workplace.
- Prominently post a notice of employer responsibility and employee rights (the WISHA poster (F416-081-909) contains all the required notices).
- Provide training about job health and safety.
- Keep records of all job-related incidents. Recordkeeping systems must meet state requirements.
WHAT MAKES western health and safety consulting THE LEADING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSULTING FIRM IN vancouver bc, canada & western washington state usa?
We provide our customers with confidential, reliable and cost-efficient workplace health and safety services to meet their current and future needs. Further, we recognize and embrace our responsibility to serve our clients promptly and courteously, and to provide them with a broad range of OHS services, such as occupational health and safety consulting and health and safety training. This commitment reinforces our strong, fundamental conviction that places the highest importance on our obligations to serving our clients. We are a professional and productivity focused health and safety organization. We believe that safety comes first in the mind but in practicality a true health and safety professional understands, through experience, that workplace safety needs to be incorporated into productivity. We can help your organization achieve great safety success without compromising your production.
Western Health and Safety Consulting has been professionally providing its occupational health and consulting services to clients in numerous different industries/sectors all across Vancouver BC, Canada & Western Washington State WA, USA for the over 20 years. We are not just some ordinary workplace safety consulting firm - our team has held professional and direct employment positions in the field of Occupational Health and Safety Consulting as officers, coordinators, supervisors and managers. Along with numerous other OHS and Environmental Engineering educational criteria, we hold the highest level of educational credentials offered in the field of Occupational Health and Safety Consulting.
Western Health and Safety Consulting has been professionally providing its occupational health and consulting services to clients in numerous different industries/sectors all across Vancouver BC, Canada & Western Washington State WA, USA for the over 20 years. We are not just some ordinary workplace safety consulting firm - our team has held professional and direct employment positions in the field of Occupational Health and Safety Consulting as officers, coordinators, supervisors and managers. Along with numerous other OHS and Environmental Engineering educational criteria, we hold the highest level of educational credentials offered in the field of Occupational Health and Safety Consulting.
DOES western health and safety consulting proVIDE ITS consulting and training SERVICES in usa and canada?
Yes. For the over 20 years Western Health and Safety Consulting Services has been providing quality occupational health and safety consulting services, health and safety training, safety training courses, safety audits / safety auditing and safety programs to all our clients throughout Western Washington State WA, USA and across Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Occupational Health and Safety Consultant, Safety Consultants, Health and Safety Programs, Health and Safety Training, Safety Audits:
Washington State, United States:
Washington State USA, Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Spokane, Bellingham, Redmond, Lynwood, Port Angeles, Bellingham, Vancouver, Federal Way, Yakima, Kirkland, Kennewick, Auburn, Pasco, Marysville, Sammamish
Vancouver, British Columbia BC, Canada:
Vancouver BC, West Vancouver BC, East Vancouver BC, North Vancouver BC, Burnaby BC, Richmond BC, Langley BC, Surrey BC, Coquitlam BC, Port Coquitlam BC, Delta BC, New Westminster BC, Maple Ridge BC, White Rock BC, Mission BC, Chilliwack BC, Abbotsford BC, Whistler BC, Victoria BC, Nanaimo BC, Bowen Island BC, Squamish BC, Sunshine Coast BC
Occupational Health and Safety Consultant, Safety Consultants, Health and Safety Programs, Health and Safety Training, Safety Audits:
Washington State, United States:
Washington State USA, Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Spokane, Bellingham, Redmond, Lynwood, Port Angeles, Bellingham, Vancouver, Federal Way, Yakima, Kirkland, Kennewick, Auburn, Pasco, Marysville, Sammamish
Vancouver, British Columbia BC, Canada:
Vancouver BC, West Vancouver BC, East Vancouver BC, North Vancouver BC, Burnaby BC, Richmond BC, Langley BC, Surrey BC, Coquitlam BC, Port Coquitlam BC, Delta BC, New Westminster BC, Maple Ridge BC, White Rock BC, Mission BC, Chilliwack BC, Abbotsford BC, Whistler BC, Victoria BC, Nanaimo BC, Bowen Island BC, Squamish BC, Sunshine Coast BC
WHERE CAN I GET HELP TO RESPOND TO WORKSAFEBC OR OSHA ORDERS WRITTEN AGAINST MY COMPANY?
We specialize in providing employers with professional legal services to ensure compliance with WorkSafeBC OHSR regulations, BC Workers Compensation Act and US OSHA law & OSHA Regulations. If your business has been issued an inspection report or written orders from WorkSafeBC or OSHA - call us we can help!
We will carefully review any inspection reports and written orders issued to your business and then assist you with compliance. Once compliance has been achieved, either through health and safety training or written safety program development, we can then assist you with developing a notice of compliance which must be sent to WorkSafeBC or OSHA as proof of compliance. We will also work closely with WorkSafeBC and OSHA Occupational Health and Safety Officers, to ensure compliance if your company has been issued any inspection reports, written orders or have been sanctioned penalties/fines.
We specialize in providing employers with professional legal services to ensure compliance with WorkSafeBC OHSR regulations, BC Workers Compensation Act and US OSHA law & OSHA Regulations. If your business has been issued an inspection report or written orders from WorkSafeBC or OSHA - call us we can help!
We will carefully review any inspection reports and written orders issued to your business and then assist you with compliance. Once compliance has been achieved, either through health and safety training or written safety program development, we can then assist you with developing a notice of compliance which must be sent to WorkSafeBC or OSHA as proof of compliance. We will also work closely with WorkSafeBC and OSHA Occupational Health and Safety Officers, to ensure compliance if your company has been issued any inspection reports, written orders or have been sanctioned penalties/fines.
IS MY BUSINESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE WORKSAFEBC OR OSHA REGULATIONS?
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations in BC, Canada & Washington State, USA and the Occupational Safety and Health Act has thousands of written regulations and guidelines which, depending upon the industry you work in, employers must follow here in Vancouver, BC & Washington State WA. At times, these regulations can be hard to find and sometimes even difficult to understand. So, to know if your in compliance with these regulations is no easy task. However, we at Western Health and Safety Consulting can definitely make this task a little easier for you.
Typically, we will start off by conducting a site safety inspection which will then follow up with a more detailed health and safety audit of your work site. With this compiled information we can then determine which areas of your business is either in compliance or non-compliance. We will then supply your organization with a detailed, but easy-to-read, report that will help you understand what steps you need to take to ensure you are in compliance with the WorkSafeBC OHSR Regulations & OSHA Regulations. We will also take the time to verbally go over our written report, step-by-step, with your team to ensure you fully understand the contents of the report and that you are comfortable in taking the next steps towards achieving safety excellence in your workplace.
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations in BC, Canada & Washington State, USA and the Occupational Safety and Health Act has thousands of written regulations and guidelines which, depending upon the industry you work in, employers must follow here in Vancouver, BC & Washington State WA. At times, these regulations can be hard to find and sometimes even difficult to understand. So, to know if your in compliance with these regulations is no easy task. However, we at Western Health and Safety Consulting can definitely make this task a little easier for you.
Typically, we will start off by conducting a site safety inspection which will then follow up with a more detailed health and safety audit of your work site. With this compiled information we can then determine which areas of your business is either in compliance or non-compliance. We will then supply your organization with a detailed, but easy-to-read, report that will help you understand what steps you need to take to ensure you are in compliance with the WorkSafeBC OHSR Regulations & OSHA Regulations. We will also take the time to verbally go over our written report, step-by-step, with your team to ensure you fully understand the contents of the report and that you are comfortable in taking the next steps towards achieving safety excellence in your workplace.
HOW DO I REDUCE MY WORKSAFEBC OR OSHA PREMIUMS?
A commitment to occupational health and safety can create a better work environment, help businesses retain good workers, and lead to greater productivity and better customer service from workers who are trained to do their jobs safely. Fewer workplace accidents can also reduce business costs such as those incurred in training temporary employees, repairing property damage, or paying WorkSafeBC & OSHA fines and increased WorkSafeBC & OSHA premiums.
A well run business not only values its customers, but also values its employees. We at Western Health and Safety Consulting educate employers on how a proper implemented health and safety program not only prevents injuries and disease in the workplace, but also ensures you are in compliance with the WorkSafeBC Regulations or OSHA Regulations and in the long run - can save you money. Yes, a good safety program can save you money! High injury rates at your workplace result in your premium rates to increase rapidly. Thus, forcing you to pay more in premiums on a yearly basis. However, these costs can be reduced considerably by preventing injuries and ensuring a proper health and safety program has been implemented at your workplace.
A commitment to occupational health and safety can create a better work environment, help businesses retain good workers, and lead to greater productivity and better customer service from workers who are trained to do their jobs safely. Fewer workplace accidents can also reduce business costs such as those incurred in training temporary employees, repairing property damage, or paying WorkSafeBC & OSHA fines and increased WorkSafeBC & OSHA premiums.
A well run business not only values its customers, but also values its employees. We at Western Health and Safety Consulting educate employers on how a proper implemented health and safety program not only prevents injuries and disease in the workplace, but also ensures you are in compliance with the WorkSafeBC Regulations or OSHA Regulations and in the long run - can save you money. Yes, a good safety program can save you money! High injury rates at your workplace result in your premium rates to increase rapidly. Thus, forcing you to pay more in premiums on a yearly basis. However, these costs can be reduced considerably by preventing injuries and ensuring a proper health and safety program has been implemented at your workplace.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSULTING FIRM?
When hiring a professional health and safety consultant in Vancouver BC, Canada & Washington State WA, USA it is important to not only look at the safety consultants work experience in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, but to also look at their credentials.
Occupational Health and Safety Consultants in Vancouver BC & Washington State, USA can be extremely helpful in getting an Occupational Health and Safety Program off the ground without adding duties to your busy staff’s current workload. Some key questions a company should ask before hiring a health and safety consulting firm, are:
1. What education and professional certifications do you have in the field of Occupational Health and Safety?
2. What experience do you have in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, Safety Management Systems and Safety Training?
3. What industry experience do you have?
4. Do you have liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance and WorkSafeBC insurance?
5. How do you keep up with current WorkSafeBC & OHS legislation and industry best safety practices?
6. Will you provide the scope of work, timelines and deliverables in writing? What due diligence documentation do you provide?
Western Health and Safety Consulting is more than happy to answer any of your questions. We will prove to you that we are the right fit for your need because of our experience in the field and our recognized credentials. Please contact us for more information on our health and safety consulting services in Vancouver BC, Canada & Washington State WA, USA.
When hiring a professional health and safety consultant in Vancouver BC, Canada & Washington State WA, USA it is important to not only look at the safety consultants work experience in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, but to also look at their credentials.
Occupational Health and Safety Consultants in Vancouver BC & Washington State, USA can be extremely helpful in getting an Occupational Health and Safety Program off the ground without adding duties to your busy staff’s current workload. Some key questions a company should ask before hiring a health and safety consulting firm, are:
1. What education and professional certifications do you have in the field of Occupational Health and Safety?
2. What experience do you have in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, Safety Management Systems and Safety Training?
3. What industry experience do you have?
4. Do you have liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance and WorkSafeBC insurance?
5. How do you keep up with current WorkSafeBC & OHS legislation and industry best safety practices?
6. Will you provide the scope of work, timelines and deliverables in writing? What due diligence documentation do you provide?
Western Health and Safety Consulting is more than happy to answer any of your questions. We will prove to you that we are the right fit for your need because of our experience in the field and our recognized credentials. Please contact us for more information on our health and safety consulting services in Vancouver BC, Canada & Washington State WA, USA.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSULTING FIRM?
Occupational Health and Safety Consultants are third party entities that come into your facility to gain an understanding of how your health and safety program is preforming in your everyday workplace operations. Here are some benefits for your company when hiring a health and safety consulting firm in Vancouver BC, Canada & Washington State WA, USA:
1. You are hiring a certified health and safety consulting firm which is recognized with provincial, state and federal legislative bodies.
2. Your health and safety consultant is guaranteed to be up to date on all WorkSafeBC & OSHA Regulations.
3. Health and Safety Consultants work independently and therefore can see any health and safety issues in an objective manner.
4. You get years of special health and safety experience which just cannot be found by hiring somebody.
5. You can utilize health and safety consultants when and as needed, which can be very cost effective for your organization.
6. Health and Safety Consultants can develop you a site specific health and safety program which is in compliance with current legislation.
7. Health and Safety Consultants can provide your employees with certified safety training accreditation when needed.
8. Perhaps an organization’s safety culture is in need of significant improvement, but the culture is reluctant to change. A health and safety consultant can be called in to validate the importance of the desired changes and help guide the organization to a new and better safety culture, providing not only verification, but cover for the organization to make crucial changes.
Contact us to discover why Western Health and Safety Consulting would be the ideal health and safety consulting firm to hire for your company in Vancouver BC, Canada & Washington State WA, USA.
Occupational Health and Safety Consultants are third party entities that come into your facility to gain an understanding of how your health and safety program is preforming in your everyday workplace operations. Here are some benefits for your company when hiring a health and safety consulting firm in Vancouver BC, Canada & Washington State WA, USA:
1. You are hiring a certified health and safety consulting firm which is recognized with provincial, state and federal legislative bodies.
2. Your health and safety consultant is guaranteed to be up to date on all WorkSafeBC & OSHA Regulations.
3. Health and Safety Consultants work independently and therefore can see any health and safety issues in an objective manner.
4. You get years of special health and safety experience which just cannot be found by hiring somebody.
5. You can utilize health and safety consultants when and as needed, which can be very cost effective for your organization.
6. Health and Safety Consultants can develop you a site specific health and safety program which is in compliance with current legislation.
7. Health and Safety Consultants can provide your employees with certified safety training accreditation when needed.
8. Perhaps an organization’s safety culture is in need of significant improvement, but the culture is reluctant to change. A health and safety consultant can be called in to validate the importance of the desired changes and help guide the organization to a new and better safety culture, providing not only verification, but cover for the organization to make crucial changes.
Contact us to discover why Western Health and Safety Consulting would be the ideal health and safety consulting firm to hire for your company in Vancouver BC, Canada & Washington State WA, USA.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BUSINESS NEEDS A HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM IN VANCOUVER BC & WASHINGTON STATE?
All Vancouver, BC & Washington State WA workplaces, regardless of the type of industry you work in or the size of your business, are required to have either a FORMAL or INFORMAL occupational health and safety program.
Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow all WorkSafeBC & OSHA safety and health regulations and standards. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. Standards set by WorkSafeBC & the Occupational Safety & Health Administration require employers to have written programs covering specific health and safety topics. In addition to these mandatory documents, WorkSafeBC & OSHA recommends employers initiate a customized injury and illness prevention program that spells out company policy on employee education, hazard identification and prevention, program evaluation and the roles management and employees have in workplace safety.
Employers MUST also:
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHAct) was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work. The law requires that employers provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers. The Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in Washington State, which sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards. OSHA also provides information, training and assistance to workers and employers.
To help assure a safe and healthful workplace, WorkSafeBC & OSHA also provides workers with the right to:
We can help you develop an formal or informal health and safety program which will help you maintain your excellent safety record.
All Vancouver, BC & Washington State WA workplaces, regardless of the type of industry you work in or the size of your business, are required to have either a FORMAL or INFORMAL occupational health and safety program.
Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Employers MUST provide their employees with a workplace that does not have serious hazards and follow all WorkSafeBC & OSHA safety and health regulations and standards. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. Standards set by WorkSafeBC & the Occupational Safety & Health Administration require employers to have written programs covering specific health and safety topics. In addition to these mandatory documents, WorkSafeBC & OSHA recommends employers initiate a customized injury and illness prevention program that spells out company policy on employee education, hazard identification and prevention, program evaluation and the roles management and employees have in workplace safety.
Employers MUST also:
- Inform employees about hazards through training, labels, alarms, color-coded systems, chemical information sheets and other methods.
- Keep accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
- Perform tests in the workplace, such as air sampling required by some WorkSafeBC & OSHA regulations, standards and guidelines.
- Provide hearing exams or other medical tests required by WorkSafeBC & OSHA regulations, standards and guidelines.
- Post WorkSafeBC & OSHA citations, injury and illness data, and the WorkSafeBC & OSHA posters in the workplace where workers will see them.
- Notify WorkSafeBC & OSHA immediately of a workplace incident in which there is a death or three or more workers go to a hospital.
- Not discriminate or retaliate against an employee for using their rights under the law.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHAct) was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work. The law requires that employers provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers. The Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in Washington State, which sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards. OSHA also provides information, training and assistance to workers and employers.
To help assure a safe and healthful workplace, WorkSafeBC & OSHA also provides workers with the right to:
- Receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the WorkSafeBC regulations & OSHA standards that apply to their workplace. The training must be in a language you can understand;
- Observe testing that is done to find hazards in the workplace and get test results;
- Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses;
- Get copies of their medical records;
- Request WorkSafeBC & OSHA to inspect their workplace; and
- Use their rights under the law free from retaliation and discrimination.
We can help you develop an formal or informal health and safety program which will help you maintain your excellent safety record.
AS AN EMPLOYER, SUPERVISOR/MANAGER OR PRIME CONTRACTOR - WHAT ARE MY LEGAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES IN VANCOUVER, BC & WASHINGTON STATE, USA?
Whether your business is large or small in Vancouver, BC or Washington State, USA the OSHA Regulations and the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires that it be a safe and healthy place to work. If you are an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure a healthy and safe workplace.
Supervisors in Vancouver, BC or Washington State WA play a key role with very specific health and safety responsibilities that need to be understood. A supervisor is a person who instructs, directs, and controls workers in the performance of their duties. A supervisor can be any worker, management or staff who meets this definition, whether or not he or she has the supervisor title. If someone in the workplace has a supervisor's responsibilities, that person is responsible for worker health and safety.
In a workplace where there are two or more employers working at the same time, a written agreement should identify a prime contractor. If there is no written agreement, the owner is considered to be the prime contractor. While prime contractors in Vancouver, BC or Washington State WA have overall responsibility for health and safety on a work site, employers still retain responsibility for the health and safety of their own workers.
Employer responsibilities:
Supervisor Responsibilities:
Prime Contractor Responsibilities:
Whether your business is large or small in Vancouver, BC or Washington State, USA the OSHA Regulations and the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires that it be a safe and healthy place to work. If you are an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure a healthy and safe workplace.
Supervisors in Vancouver, BC or Washington State WA play a key role with very specific health and safety responsibilities that need to be understood. A supervisor is a person who instructs, directs, and controls workers in the performance of their duties. A supervisor can be any worker, management or staff who meets this definition, whether or not he or she has the supervisor title. If someone in the workplace has a supervisor's responsibilities, that person is responsible for worker health and safety.
In a workplace where there are two or more employers working at the same time, a written agreement should identify a prime contractor. If there is no written agreement, the owner is considered to be the prime contractor. While prime contractors in Vancouver, BC or Washington State WA have overall responsibility for health and safety on a work site, employers still retain responsibility for the health and safety of their own workers.
Employer responsibilities:
- Establish a valid occupational health and safety program.
- Train your employees to do their work safely and provide proper supervision.
- Provide supervisors with the necessary support and training to carry out health and safety responsibilities.
- Ensure adequate first aid equipment, supplies, and trained attendants are on site to handle injuries.
- Regularly inspect your workplace to make sure everything is working properly.
- Fix problems reported by workers.
- Transport injured workers to the nearest location for medical treatment.
- Report all injuries to WorkSafeBC & OSHA that required medical attention.
- Investigate incidents where workers are injured or equipment is damaged.
- Submit the necessary forms to WorkSafeBC & OSHA.
Supervisor Responsibilities:
- Ensure the health and safety of all workers under your direct supervision.
- Know the WorkSafeBC & OSHA requirements that apply to the work under your supervision and make sure those requirements are met.
- Ensure workers under your supervision are aware of all known hazards.
- Ensure workers under your supervision have the appropriate personal protective equipment, which is being used properly, regularly inspected, and maintained.
Prime Contractor Responsibilities:
- Coordinate the occupational health and safety activities of all employers, workers, and anyone else at the workplace.
- Establish and maintain procedures to ensure occupational health and safety requirements at the workplace are followed by all parties.
AS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR I SUB-CONTRACT MY WORK OUT TO OTHER COMPANIES - DO I STILL NEED TO HAVE A SAFETY PROGRAM?
A Prime Contractor cannot avoid legal responsibility for workplace safety by subcontracting out work. At most multiple employer worksites, the prime contractor is responsible for health and safety. Generally possessing knowledge of a job’s work activities, hazards, and the means to control these hazards, the prime contractor is usually the best qualified to oversee and coordinate an effective health and safety program for all workers onsite. But, all too often, owners, subcontractors, and Prime contractor responsibilities even prime contractors misunderstand this important role.
In British Columbia, Canada, Section 1 of the Workers Compensation Act (“Act”) provides definitions that apply to the whole Act. It precedes Part 1 of the Act. The Act is then organized into four Parts.
Part 1, titled "Compensation to Workers and Dependants," is organized into six Divisions:
Part 2 deals with the liability of employers in industries not within the scope of Part 1. Part 3, titled "Occupational Health and Safety," addresses matters such as the rights and responsibilities of workplace parties, joint committees and worker representatives, protection against OHS-Related discrimination, accident reporting, investigations, enforcement, offences, and WorkSafeBC administrative procedures and regulation-making authority. Part 4, titled "Appeals," deals with appeals and the role of the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal.
In Washington State, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the prime contractor is ultimately responsible for safety on the job site for all workers, whether they are an employee or subcontracted. The prime contractor of a multiple-employer workplace must coordinate all of the Occupational Health and Safety actives related to the workplace and do everything that is reasonably practicable to establish and maintain a system or process that will comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Click here (OSHA Part 1926..16) to read the legislation on Prime Contractors.
We at Western Safety and Health Consulting can assist you in providing training and developing written policies, procedures and forms to ensure your prime contracting company is safe - liability wise - and due diligent in all matters when hiring outside subcontractors.
A Prime Contractor cannot avoid legal responsibility for workplace safety by subcontracting out work. At most multiple employer worksites, the prime contractor is responsible for health and safety. Generally possessing knowledge of a job’s work activities, hazards, and the means to control these hazards, the prime contractor is usually the best qualified to oversee and coordinate an effective health and safety program for all workers onsite. But, all too often, owners, subcontractors, and Prime contractor responsibilities even prime contractors misunderstand this important role.
In British Columbia, Canada, Section 1 of the Workers Compensation Act (“Act”) provides definitions that apply to the whole Act. It precedes Part 1 of the Act. The Act is then organized into four Parts.
Part 1, titled "Compensation to Workers and Dependants," is organized into six Divisions:
- Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 5 address matters such as compensation for injury, occupational disease, or mental disorder, survivor benefits; and the provision of health care and vocational rehabilitation assistance; as well as the scope, procedures and general powers of WorkSafeBC.
- Division 4 of the Act addresses the collection of employer assessments (insurance premiums).
- Division 6 addresses matters such as general powers of WorkSafeBC, governance of WorkSafeBC, and the process at the Review Division.
Part 2 deals with the liability of employers in industries not within the scope of Part 1. Part 3, titled "Occupational Health and Safety," addresses matters such as the rights and responsibilities of workplace parties, joint committees and worker representatives, protection against OHS-Related discrimination, accident reporting, investigations, enforcement, offences, and WorkSafeBC administrative procedures and regulation-making authority. Part 4, titled "Appeals," deals with appeals and the role of the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal.
In Washington State, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the prime contractor is ultimately responsible for safety on the job site for all workers, whether they are an employee or subcontracted. The prime contractor of a multiple-employer workplace must coordinate all of the Occupational Health and Safety actives related to the workplace and do everything that is reasonably practicable to establish and maintain a system or process that will comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Click here (OSHA Part 1926..16) to read the legislation on Prime Contractors.
We at Western Safety and Health Consulting can assist you in providing training and developing written policies, procedures and forms to ensure your prime contracting company is safe - liability wise - and due diligent in all matters when hiring outside subcontractors.
