In Canada, the health and safety of workers are protected by the Occupational Health and Safety Act of each province, which is enforced by the ministry (or department) of Labour of the province. For example, www.laboui'.gov.on.ca/english/news/courtbu]letms.php describes recent court cases brought under OHSA in Ontario. As it can be seen from reading some of the cases, the employer is responsible for any accidents; for example, a mechanic’s hand being pulled between rollers of a conveyor while greasing it from underneath, an explosion inside a tank due to methane gas when a welder started work in it, or a load of steel bars falling on a delivery driver helping a forklift driver to unload it. In addition, lack of procedures, training, and warning signs also make the employer responsible for any injuries to the worker.
An employee not wearing a hard hat, or low light that can cause a fall, is grounds to fine tire company. Moreover, a supervisor can personally be fined if he did not inform an employee of the right procedure or training. Do you think that the Occupational Health and Safety Act has overreached and is now being unfair to companies and supervisors? Discuss.