Health & Safety

Building a culture of good health and safety in the workplace

Your workplace Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) and/or Health & Safety Representative(s) have clear roles and responsibilities in the workplace.

But how do you make sure that a strong, proactive approach to health and safety exists among your co-workers and throughout the workplace?

While many employers do take their legal responsibilities seriously, many others don't. And sometimes, even the bosses that do take their responsibilities seriously only do the bare minimum and nothing more.

A true culture of safety means that everyone makes safety their first priority, and workers can be the driving force behind that approach. After all, workers are the ones who most often risk injury and illness while carrying out their job tasks.

Prevention and awareness are key. Workers have the right to participate in health and safety matters, and it's critical that they do. The better the relationship that the JHSC, health and safety members, and co-workers have when it comes to health and safety, the better those workers will be able to create effective positive change in the workplace.

Proper training, new worker orientation, and other prevention-focused and hazard-focused education can help ensure every worker stay informed, aware, and safe.

If you have questions or concerns about Health & Safety matters in your workplace, reach out to your workplace JHSC or Health & Safety Rep, or your Union Representative.

What does good workplace health & safety culture look like?

• Everyone has defined responsibilities and understands who does what.

• Workers know exactly who to go to when something happens or if they have a concern.

• There is an open communication system that ensures workers are not afraid to speak up because their contributions are taken seriously.

• Workers are encouraged to share information, speak openly about concerns, and participate in solutions.

• Lead by example. Don't rely on management to set the tone. It is your and your co-workers' health and safety that is most likely to be at risk.

Speak to your supervisors, JHSC, or H&S Rep at work about health and safety training.

Bring it up with your Union Representative and Stewards, too.

Talk about why the training is important and how it would benefit you, your co-workers, and the workplace.