Acting Captain's Class - Occupational Health and Safety

Question 1

Duties of Supervisor:

Answer 1

1. a) - works with protective devices, measures and procedures according to regulations.
   b) - uses or wears equipment required by employer
2. a) - advise worker of potential dangers
   b) - provide written instructions for protective measures
   c) - provide safety measures to protect against such dangers

Section 27
(1)
A supervisor shall ensure that a worker,
(a) works in a manner and with the protective devices, measures and procedures required by this Act and the regulations; and
(b) used or wears the equipment, protective devices or clothing that the worker’s employer requires to be worn.
(2)
without limiting the duty imposed by a subsection (1), a supervisor shall:
(a) advise a worker of the existence of any potential or actual danger to the health of safety of the worker of which the supervisor is aware;
(b) where so prescribed, provide a worker with written instructions as to the measures and procedures to be taken for the protection of the worker; and
(c) take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.

Question 2

Describe the two pieces of legislation that a firefighter is governed by and when do they apply differently with regard to refusal to work.

Answer 2

while performing duties at an emergency scene, firefighters are governed by the FPPA and may not refuse a lawful order. While in station or performing duties away from an emergency scene, firefighters are governed by OH&S and can refuse unsafe work.

Question 3

Reporting Refusal to work:

Answer 3

Section 43.(4) Upon refusing to work or do particular work, the worker shall promptly report the circumstances of the refusal to the worker’s employer or supervisor who shall forthwith investigate the report in the presence of the worker and, if there is such, in the presence of one of,

(a) a committee member who represents workers, if any;
(b) a health and safety representative, if any; or
(c) a worker who because of knowledge, experience and training is selected by a trade union that represents the worker, or if there is no trade union, is selected by the workers to represent them,

who shall be made available and who shall attend without delay. R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, s. 43 (4).

Question 4

List the 7 criteria that defines a critical injury

Answer 4

For the purposes of the Act and the Regulations, “critically injured” means an injury of a serious nature that,

(a) life: places life in jeopardy,
(b) consciousness: produces unconsciousness,
(c) blood: results in substantial loss of blood,
(d) fracture: involves the fracture of a leg or arm but not a finger or toe,
(e) amputation: involves the amputation of a leg, arm, hand or foot but not a finger or toe,
(f) burns: consists of burns to a major portion of the body, or
(g) sight: causes the loss of sight in an eye.

Question 5

Where can an officer find the login to report an injury at work?

Answer 5

HESNET, on the FIRE page, at the “WSIB On-line Incident Reporting” link located at the bottom of the menu to the left