Workplace health and safety is serious business. As a small business owner, it is important to be aware of the laws and regulations you need to follow to keep you and your employees safe. 

Should an employee cut their hand while working, there needs to be a first aid kit on the premises and a specific protocol to follow to ensure the employee is safe. Likewise, if an employee must handle heavy packages or equipment, including a ladder, they should have the required training necessary to protect themselves from injuries on the job. 

Such training and protocol are known as health and safety in the workplace. But much more goes into these regulations than a few first aid processes. This article will explore what is necessary for employers and employees to ensure that health and safety regulations are followed. 

Learn what workplace health and safety is, why it's essential to industries, what the Occupational Health and Safety Act does, and how to gain training health and safety certification.

What is Health and Safety? 

Workplace health and safety cover the government laws, regulations, and principles to keep the workforce safe from a workplace injury, illness, accident, or death. Such safety legislation will govern how a business operates and what it must do to protect workplace parties while on the job. In addition, there are essential duties that both employers and employees must follow to ensure the well-being of everyone within the workplace.

Why is Health and Safety Training Mandatory in Some Workplaces?

Health and safety training is a mandatory process for many industries. Most government employees, workers in federally regulated industries, domestic workers, and farmers and agricultural workers generally must adhere to these requirements and complete mandatory health and safety awareness training. 

For example, highly physical jobs like a moving company or working in construction would require individuals to follow specific training covering health and safety on job sites to safeguard against serious injuries. Such protocol would protect both employers and employees from physical harm. 

At the same time, a daycare business would also have certain regulations surrounding health and safety as daycare workers would be responsible for caring for infants and minors. 

As most daycares offer food and snacks to children, dietary regulations and concerns are also an issue. On the same note, this applies to businesses in the service or food industry, like catering services. Many health risks come with handling and preparing food for others, thereby requiring specific training and regulations to be set in place to protect workers and customers. 

Employers' health and safety responsibilities

Businesses and employers are responsible for ensuring that health and safety in the workplace are maintained and that all potential workplace hazards have been identified. They must make sure all employees are up to date on training and have the proper skills to perform their jobs safely. All businesses in Canada must have an up-to-date health and safety policy that covers these things. 

Previously, all workplaces covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act had to put up posters that illustrated these regulations. However, employers are no longer required to post the employment standards poster in the workplace. That being said, they must still provide the information to all employees with a hard copy. 

Things like business insurance can also depend on the company's health and safety training or procedures. As a business owner and employer, it's essential to research precisely what is required to comply with such government regulations and workplace guidelines. 

Employees' health and safety responsibilities

Employees are responsible for completing all necessary safety and health training as mandated by their employer. Such training would help them identify and protect against workplace hazards and health risks. For example, suppose you are required to use heavy equipment or handle dangerous or toxic substances. In that case, you must have the proper training or personal protective equipment (PPE) before undertaking such tasks. 

At the same time, if an employer does not provide the necessary training or protective gear, the employee has the right to refuse to do the task unprotected. 

Health and Safety vs. Occupational Health and Safety 

Occupational health and safety is a multidisciplinary field covering the safety, health, and overall welfare of people at work. This field covers the guidelines and procedures put in place to protect individuals while on the job. In some cases, people use health and safety interchangeably with occupational health and safety in the workplace. 

However, where health and safety refers to the regulations surrounding a workplace's health and safety rules, occupational health and safety generally refer to the discipline of study or a professional responsible for upholding such principles. 

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 

The Occupational Health and Safety Act is part of government legislation that provides guidelines that all employers and employees must follow to reduce the risk of injury, illness, accidents, and fatalities. 

Each province in Canada will have their own Act governing how businesses can protect themselves and their employees from safety hazards and health concerns. The following list can help you find your province's health and safety regulations: 

• Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety Act
• British Columbia's Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
• Manitoba's Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation
• New Brunswick's Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Newfoundland and Labrador's Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Northwest Territories's Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
• Nova Scotia's Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Nunavut's Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
• Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Prince Edward Island's Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Quebec's Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety
• Saskatchewan's Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Yukon's Occupational Health and Safety Act

Joint Health and Safety Committees

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, many workplaces will have a joint health and safety committee (JHSC). This committee is made up of both workers and management representatives that must monitor health and safety in the workplace and identify any apparent hazards or health and safety concerns. 

The JHSC must conduct regular workplace inspections and hold meetings to ensure all regulations are being followed. The employer should consult the committee about workplace testing, and the committee can make recommendations on ways to improve employee health and safety rights. The JHSC is also responsible for investigating work refusals and critical injuries or fatalities that happen on the job. 

However, not all workplaces are required to have a joint health and safety committee. Small businesses generally have a health and safety representative versus an entire committee. This representative holds many of the same powers and responsibilities as the JHSC. Whether a company has a safety committee or a representative, the employer must cooperate with this health and safety designation in all instances. 

Generally, regarding the JHSC, one worker representative and one management representative must be certified in work health and safety. At the same time, the individual health and safety representative of small businesses must also be certified.

How to Earn Your Health and Safety Certification 

Typically, businesses must have a health and safety certification, also known as Health and Safety Compliance Certificate, or OHS Certificate, that proves a workplace has legally complied with all requirements set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. 

Businesses must use an approved health and safety training provider to secure their certifications. However, these providers may differ depending on the province you work in, so it's essential to research what training facilities you can use. For example, Ontario will have different approved training providers than Manitoba or British Columbia. 

As a small business owner, ensuring all health and safety regulations are met in your workplace falls to you. But, with protocol in place to secure the safety and health of your employees, what about the overall financial health of your business? With accounting software like QuickBooks Online, you can keep an expert eye on your finances, track revenue and expenses, and generate financial reports to ensure your books are managed appropriately. Try it for free today.