What You Need To Know
It is important to know the two main pieces of legislation related to health and safety in the workplace:
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Workers Compensation Act
Several workplace matters may also overlap with other legislation such as Human Rights. You need to know the requirements for a Health and Safety Program and your role and responsibilities an employer. The Workers Compensation Board of PEI states that employers should know their responsibilities as it relates to:
- Providing a safe and healthy workplace;
- Ensuring that workers are adequately informed, instructed, trained, and supervised;
- Ensuring that equipment and materials are properly used and maintained to protect workers;
- Taking action when a worker or supervisor tells you about a potentially hazardous situation;
- Establishing and maintaining an occupational health and safety program and written health and safety policy where required;
- Supporting the safety committee, safety representative, and workers in their health and safety activities;
- Reporting serious incidents to the Workers Compensation Board of PEI.
Employers and employees are held jointly responsible for maintaining a healthy and safe work environment. Every person working on Prince Edward Island has:
The right to know about information and issues that affect health and safety in your workplace.
The right to participate in workplace safety by reporting unsafe or unhealthy work conditions, or joining your joint occupational health and safety committee.
The right to refuse unsafe or unhealthy work.
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officers are responsible for responding to concerns or complaints involving illness or unsafe workplaces and reported work refusals. An inspection may be conducted which could result in:
- An order(s) to correct an unsafe situation.
- A stop work order if there is an immediate danger in the workplace.
- Legal action, when necessary.
Prince Edward Island employers and employer associations also have access to free and confidential advice, assistance, representation and education on matters under the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, independent of the Workers Compensation Board.
The employer advisor can offer you independent advice, representation, and training in:
- Managing claims
- Appealing decisions
- Classification and assessments
- Workplace health and safety
In addition, the employer advisor will help you prepare submissions to the Internal Reconsideration Officer (IRO) and the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT).
You will not be charged for this service. The assessments you pay to the Workers Compensation Board of PEI funds the Office of the Employer Advisor.
Why You Need To Know
The goal is to reduce the incidence of workplace injury and illness in your workplace. It is important that you understand that your employees, and your business, may be at risk if you do not follow health and safety laws.
What You Need To Do
Are you a new employer? Register with the Workers Compensation Board.
Every workplace is different. It is your responsibility to become familiar with Prince Edward Island’s Health and Safety Laws. The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of PEI can help you.
For more information contact:
Workers Compensation Board of PEI
Phone: 902-368-5697
Toll Free:1-800-237-5049
Office of the Employer Advisor
Department of Economic Growth, Culture & Tourism
3 Brighton Road, #302, 3rd Floor PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Telephone: 902-368-6132Erinn G. Moore
Erinn Moore (Employer Advisor)
E-mail: egmoore@gov.pe.ca
Email: employeradvisor@gov.pe.ca
