In every province, occupational health and safety legislation specifies the duties of the employer. And, in many cases, “employer” includes anyone who acts on behalf of the employer – i.e. your organization’s managers and supervisors.

Alberta’s Definition of “Employer”¹ 

1. a person who is self-employed,
2. a person who employs one or more persons,
3. a person designated as the employer’s representative, or
4. a director or officer of corporations who oversees the occupational health and safety of the workers employed by the corporation.

Specific Responsibilities

Several distinct duties can be found in the legislation. While the details vary from one province to another, there are some common requirements. Here’s an example:

• The employer – and by extension, supervisors – are responsible for identifying and assessing workplace hazards. They must also: inform workers of hazards, control the hazards, and provide necessary training and equipment.

General Duty Clause

The Act[1] also requires the employer to protect health and safety in the workplace. It’s often referred to as the “general duty clause”. Again, the wording will be different in each jurisdiction, but the intent – and expectation – is essentially the same. It, too, will apply to supervisors.

Alberta’s General Duty Clause²

“Every employer shall ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable for the employer to do so,

1. the health & safety of:
   1. workers engaged in the work of that employer, and
   2. those workers not engaged in the work of that employer but present at the work site at which that work is being carried out …”
2. that the workers engaged in the work of that employer are aware of their responsibilities and duties under this Act, the regulations and the adopted code.

The List of Five

Supervisors play an important part in shaping the safety culture of your organization. Their attitudes and actions strongly influence the health and safety of your workforce. Here are five suggestions to help supervisors succeed in this role – and fulfill their legal duties.

#1. Be Familiar With The Law

Supervisors must understand the basic rights and responsibilities – of employers and workers – described in the Act*. Ready access to occupational health & safety legislation will help them determine legal requirements for their work sites and activities.

#2. Know and Enforce Policies and Procedures

Your organization’s safety policies and procedures have little value if they’re not enforced. Supervisors mustn’t turn a blind eye to infractions and unsafe practices.

#3. Walk the Talk

Supervisors have to be safety role models. They must follow the rules they’re enforcing. Excuses like “I’m in charge” or “I’ll only be in that area for a few minutes” don’t justify cutting corners.

#4. Inform – and Encourage – All Workers to Work Safely

Supervisors who inform their crews about health & safety matters and encourage the “safety mindset” will have a tremendous impact on the organization’s safety culture. Participation in new employee orientations, soliciting employee input for hazard assessments, and personally acknowledging employees’ safety efforts are just a few of the many ways this can be done.

#5. Participate In Training

Supervisors who attend the same training sessions as their crews will see a positive return on the time invested. They’ll gain first-hand experience of the instruction their workforce has received, and they’ll see how each employee responded to the training. By being an active participant, the supervisor will also be sending a strong message to the crew about the importance of the training.

References:

1. Occupational Health & Safety Act, Alberta, Section 1 (k).
2. Occupational Health & Safety Act, Alberta, Section 2(1).

This article is provided as introductory information only. Cited references, and other literature, should be consulted for complete details. Reproduced by Guzzardi and Associates with Permission. Copyright 2008 Escalade Services Group Inc.