Pursuant to clause 25(2)(i) of Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), provincially-regulated employers are required to post in their workplace a copy of the OHSA and "any explanatory material prepared by the Ministry, both in English and the majority language of the workplace, outlining the rights, responsibilities and duties of workers."
On June 1, 2012, the Ministry of Labour (Ministry) released a new health and safety awareness poster developed in consultation with health and safety system partners1 and the public. The poster, titled Health & Safety at Work – Prevention Starts Here, briefly outlines the OHSA's functions and summarizes the rights, responsibilities and obligations of workers, employers and supervisors under this act.
This informational poster is responsive to the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety (Panel) appointed by the Ministry in March 2010 to engage in a comprehensive review of the province's health and safety regime. The Panel found that many employees were unfamiliar with the OHSA and their rights and duties with respect to health and safety in the workplace.
The Ministry has instituted a posting deadline effective October 1, 2012, to give employers adequate time for compliance. Failure to post may result in an order from an inspector, provincial prosecution and a fine upon conviction.
The poster is available on the Ministry's website in 17 different languages at the following address: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/poster_prevention.php
When printed, the poster must be at least 8.5 x 11 inches in size. Printing may be in colour or in black and white.
Footnote
1. The Ministry of Labour's system partners are the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB); Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW); Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC); Health & Safety Ontario; Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA); Workplace Safety North (WSN); and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS).
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