Occupational Health and Safety Archives - Page 2 of 3

Occupational health & safety update: What federally regulated employers need to know about recent amendments to the Canada Labour Code

December 19, 2014

As of October 31, 2014, several amendments to the occupational health and safety (“OHS”) provisions of the Canada Labour Code (the “Code”) came into effect. Those amendments may have significant implications for federally-regulated organizations, particularly inasmuch as Parliament has now transferred statutory authority from “a health and safety officer” directly to the Minister of Labour,

Nothing in life is free: Certain unpaid positions now protected under the OHSA

November 28, 2014

Until just recently, employers were able to enjoy free student labour without attracting obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). In that regard, if an unpaid co-op student or intern was injured in the workplace, the Ministry of Labour could not charge the employer for failing to protect that student from the injury

Is health and safety “competence” required for promotion in your organization? If not, it should be!

October 6, 2014

When evaluating employees for promotion, or when hiring for supervisory positions, employers typically give careful consideration to candidates’ qualifications to perform the substantive elements of the role – i.e. educational background, work experience, personal achievements and the like. That said, one factor that is often overlooked is the candidate’s knowledge of and familiarity with (i)

Occupational health & safety lessons from the tragedy at Lac-Megantic: Transportation Safety Board releases its report and condemns “weak safety culture”

August 26, 2014

In the early hours of July 13, 2013, a runaway freight-train operated by Montreal Maine & Atlantic Railway (“MM&A”) and carrying more than 70 tanker-cars loaded with crude oil derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec. The resulting explosion and fire claimed 47 lives, and destroyed a large part of the town’s downtown area. In the aftermath of

The 10th anniversary of Bill C-45: Reflecting on a decade of OH&S liability under the Criminal Code

March 31, 2014

March 31, 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the Bill C-45 amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada which had the effect of broadening the scope of criminal liability for organizations, senior officers and management in relation to occupational health and safety matters. Specifically, Bill C-45 redefined the terms “every one”, “person” and “owner” to include

Occupational health & safety: Why fire drills matter

September 27, 2013

When I was young, a fire drill usually meant a welcome escape from the classroom. Marching single-file, my classmates and I would end up in the schoolyard, where we’d enjoy what felt like an extra recess period. Fast-forward to working life, and fire drills have – for many of us – become synonymous with annoyance.

Guilty verdict and prison sentence handed down in BC ferry tragedy

July 4, 2013

On March 22, 2006, the ferry “Queen of the North” ran aground and sank in Wright Sound, British Columbia. Tragically, two passengers were lost and presumed drowned. The ensuing Transportation Safety Board investigation concluded that the ferry’s navigation officer, Karl Lilgert, had at the time of the accident been engaged in conversation with Karen Briker,

Avoid the legal vulnerabilities of volunteering

April 26, 2013

This week is National Volunteer Week, which celebrates the hard work and initiative of volunteers across Canada. Whether it is teens vying to satisfy their 40 hours of volunteer work before graduation, or youths trying to get their foot in the door at an organization, volunteering is a popular avenue into many Canadian workplaces. Volunteer

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