Duties and Responsibilities

While everyone on the farm plays a role in managing the organization’s health and safety, the employer’s role is paramount in making sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. The employer is the farm’s leader; employers, suppliers, contractors and visitors to the farm all look to the employer and operator to define the farm’s priorities and follow suit accordingly. As with anything, actions
speak louder than words, and your team will be looking to you for guidance and mentorship – make it clear that nothing is more important than keeping everyone safe at work.

Employers

Employers must ensure the health and safety of everyone at or near the workplace.

Precautions:

  • Ensure health & safety of the workplace.
  • Provide and maintain equipment, machines and tools that are properly equipped with safety devices.
  • Provide safety instruction and training.
  • Ensure employees are familiar with hazards in the workplace.
  • Ensure employees are not exposed to health and safety hazards.

Duties:

  • Cooperate with the health and safety committee or representatives and Department of Labour and Advanced Education OHS Officers.
  • Comply with the Act and Regulations.
  • Develop an occupational health and safety policy and/or program where required.

Employees

Employees must take precautions to ensure the health and safety of others and themselves and must:

  • Cooperate with the committee or safety representatives, the employer, fellow employees and Department of Labour and Advanced Education OHS Officers.
  • Ensure all protective devices, equipment and/or clothing are properly used.
  • Comply with the Act and Regulations.
  • Report all hazards immediately.

Self-employed individuals

Self-employed individuals are responsible for:

  • Protecting the health and safety of themselves and others affected by the work.
  • Cooperate with any employer, committee, safety representative or Department of Labour and Advanced Education OHS Officer they are involved with.
  • Comply with the Act and Regulations.

Owners

Owners are responsible for:

  • Ensuring the land or premises being used as a workplace is maintained in compliance with the Act.
  • Sharing information with the employer of the workplace, as necessary, to ensure health and safety by identifying, eliminating or controlling hazards (e.g. identifying unsafe structures, abandoned wells).

Suppliers

Suppliers (e.g. manufacturers, suppliers, distributors) are responsible to ensure that any devices or equipment supplied is in safe condition. Suppliers must also ensure that any biological, chemical or physical agent is labeled appropriately. If the device or equipment is being leased, it is the responsibility of the supplier to ensure it is properly maintained.

Providers of service

Providers of service are people considered to provide occupational health and safety services for gain (e.g. engineer, consultant) and must ensure that no person is endangered as a result of their work. They must also ensure that any information provided is accurate and sufficiently complete at the time provided.

Contractors and Constructors

Contractors and Constructors must ensure the health and safety of everyone