Overview of Part II of the Canada Labour Code

Introduction

In the past 10 years, approximately 800 Canadian workers have died each year as a result of work place accidents. Although the injury rate is declining, the annual costs for compensation to injured workers have been billions of dollars.

Work place Health and Safety is a serious problem. Part II of the Canada Labour Code, occupational Health and Safety, reflects the desire to reduce work place injuries and accidents in federal jurisdiction.

The objective of this overview is to offer a simplified version of the major occupational Health and Safety  provisions of the Canada Labour Code. It is not a legal reference. Anyone wishing to interpret the law should refer to the Canada Labour Code and to the corresponding Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

Contents

An Overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Provisions of the Canada Labour Code

• Application
• Employers' Duties
• Coal Mines
• Employees' Duties
• Employees' Rights
• Refusing Dangerous Work

Occupational Health and Safety Committees and Representatives

• Where Committees or Representatives are Required
• Exemptions
• Selecting Health and Safety  Committee Members or Representatives
• Operation
• Duties of the Health and Safety  Committee
• Duties of the Health and Safety  Representative

Safety Officers

• Powers
• Review of a Safety Officer's Direction
• Enforcement and Penalties
• Injunction