Did you know that as a Unifor Local 4504 member, and as an employee in Canada you have the following three basic rights:
- Right to refuse unsafe work.
- Right to participate in the workplace health and safety activities through the Health and Safety Committee (HSC) or as a worker health and safety representative.
- Right to know, or the right to be informed about, actual and potential dangers in the workplace.
As well, managers or supervisors must also: ensure workers work in compliance with OH&S acts and regulations; ensure workers use prescribed protective equipment devices; advise workers of potential and actual hazards;p rovide workers with written instructions as to the measures and procedures to be taken for protection of the worker; take every reasonable precaution in the circumstances for the protection of workers.
What happens when there is a refusal for unsafe work? An employee can refuse work if they believes that the situation is unsafe to either themselves or their co-workers. When a worker believes that a work refusal should be initiated, then the employee must report to their supervisor that they are refusing to work and state why they believes the situation is unsafe. The employee, supervisor, and a HSC member or employee representative will investigate, the employee returns to work if the problem is resolved with mutual agreement, and if the problem is not resolved, a government health and safety inspector is called. The inspector investigates and gives decision in writing.
For more information see the below links and also the CCOHS website for more information and resources to help keep you safe at work.
Hazard Reporting
Risk Assessment Sample Form