Horse News & Views - February 2006

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Ontario Association
of
Equine Practitioners

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Editor(s):	Dr. Bob Wright - Veterinary Scientist/OMAFRA
Creation Date:	01 February 2006
Alternate Format:	PDF Format - 113 kb

Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) came into force in October 1979. The main principle of the OHSA is that workers, supervisors and employers share the responsibility for health and safety in the workplace.
As of June 30, 2006, the OHSA will extend to farming operations with paid workers. Farming operations without paid workers will continue to be exempt from the OHSA.

Under the OHSA, the duties of employers include providing information, instruction and supervision to workers; advising workers about hazards in the workplace; and notifying the Ministry of Labour of workplace fatalities and critical injuries. Employers with six or more regularly employed workers also have to develop an occupational health and safety policy and program. The Ontario Ministry of Labour and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will be hosting public information sessions for employers and employees regarding the Occupational Health and Safety Act and farming operations. For dates and locations, or to register for one of the sessions, please call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.