When you’re starting to drown between employee concerns, payroll duties and helping your CEO -- HR Insider is there to help get the logistical work out of the way.
Need a policy because of a recent regulatory change? We’ve got it for you. Need some quick training on a specific HR topic? We’ve got it for you. HR Insider provides the resources you need to craft, implement and monitor policies with confidence. Our team of experts (which includes lawyers, analysts and HR professionals) keep track of complex legislation, pending changes, new interpretations and evolving case law to provide you with the policies and procedures to keep you ahead of problems. FIND OUT MORE...
Primer On Due Diligence In Occupational Health And Safety Matters

Among the defenses employers can rely on for infractions under the Occupational Health and Safety Act is that of due diligence. Due diligence is a well-known term, but what does it really mean? Because fault on the part of the employee is not a valid defence…

The courts have developed five criteria for a successful due diligence defence by the employer:

  1. Ensuring that employees have the appropriate safety equipment before leaving for their job site or work station;
  2. Meeting with foremen to make sure they understand the importance of safety instructions and the consequences of not following them;
  3. Supervising the employees and/or making check-up visits to their job site or work station;
  4. Issuing oral and then written reminders if safety instructions are not followed;
  5. Issuing warnings and, if warranted, imposing disciplinary measures for not following safety instructions.

One line of recent cases refers rather to the employer’s duties of foresight, efficiency and authority.

The duty of foresight entails identifying the risks inherent in the work and properly managing them. The employer must analyze each facet of the work to be performed and ensure that the employees have the necessary level of competence and information to perform it safely.

The duty of efficiency entails the concrete application of measures to mitigate the targeted risks. For example, the employer must provide employees with appropriate safety equipment, see that the accident prevention program is prominently posted, and ensure that the work is adequately supervised.

As for the duty of authority, it consists of the employer’s obligation to take action against employees who do not follow safety instructions. The employer cannot tolerate any such lapses and must impose sanctions for non-compliance.

Since the year 2000, the CSST has had a zero-tolerance policy in place for certain work such as work performed at high elevations, in excavations and trenches, and with material containing asbestos or silica.

Be sure to take appropriate measures, as CSST fines can reach as much as $300,000!

Last Updated: September 3 2014

Article by Éric Thibaudeau