Fifty years ago, Saskatchewan was the first jurisdiction in Canada and North America to pass “The Occupational Health Act, 1972” legislation for regulating health and safety in the workplace.
This health act required a committee comprised of both workers and employees representing their interest in the safety code. To this day, this requirement exists to ensure everyone’s safety, to identify hazards, and to help eliminate any kind of workplace injuries, fatalities or illnesses. Using this protocol, the committee can refuse to do a task that they believe could be dangerous.
Over the years, many changes have taken place and there have been new issues to address in the workplace environment.
Saskatchewan is also there to protect against any kind of workplace harassment that includes the sexual nature of unwelcome behaviour. The act also protects independent contractors, volunteers, and students from any kind of workplace harm and harassment. This amendment came into action on Jan.1, 2022.
Saskatchewan is the first province that requires its publicly owned buildings to be registered if they contain asbestos, with all related information available online.
“Everyone benefits when workers come home safely at the end of the day and by working together, we can ensure that Saskatchewan continues to be a great place to work and invest,” said Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan.
