Part 2:
What does the law say?
The first and most basic step towards compliance is understanding the legal requirements for your organization:
US
In the US, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: “Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace”.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also requires “employers to provide training to workers who face hazards on the job”.
Canada
Similar requirements can be found in Canadian provinces:
- In Ontario under the ‘Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)’,
- In British Columbia under section 21 of the ‘Workers Compensation Act’ and the ‘Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation’,
- In Québec under the ‘Act respecting occupational health and safety' / ‘Loi sur la santé et la sécurité du travail’,
- To workplaces under federal jurisdiction in Part II of the Canada Labour Code.
European Union
On an EU level, Council Directive 89/391/EEC — Measures to improve the safety and health of workers at work requires that employers: “ensure each employee receives adequate health and safety training relevant to their job”.
The most important step in deciding the specific training or competencies that a role needs begins with your risk assessment.
There may be specific legal requirements for the likes of forklift driving, working at height, asbestos management and fire safety. And you must be able to prove that your employees have these competencies.