Occupational Health & Safety Programs
In British Columbia, an Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Program must be designed to act as a set of guidelines to prevent injury and occupational disease in the workplace. Programs must be implemented and maintained correctly in businesses. Formal programs are required for businesses with more than 20 employees. For smaller operations with less than 20 employees, a less formal program can be implemented which involves:
- Holding a meeting at least once a month;
- Make necessary changes to unsafe conditions and practices; and
- Record meeting minutes.
Establishing a Health and Safety Program
It is important to communicate Occupational Health and Safety programs to all employees, especially when there are revisions to policies and procedures.
The program should be available in a single document and should reference to separate manuals in the main document.
If a workplace has a health and safety representative, the employer and representative will decide how often to meet and how to record them.
Employer responsibilities
As an employer, you are required to:
- Ensure employees receive training;
- Make applicable health and safety information available to all employees; and
- Attend all health and safety meetings.
Questions? Ask our health and safety experts.
Don’t wait for a workplace accident to happen. It’s important that you take the necessary steps to develop an internal infrastructure for health and safety representation at your workplace. Call Health and Safety Help and speak with a health and safety expert today: 1-833-200-5239.