9.15 Summary

This chapter outlined the legal framework the state has enacted to prevent and compensate work-related injuries. To fully appreciate how injury prevention and compensation laws operate we have to be prepared to understand both the technical requirements of the laws and the political economy of their enforcement.

Canadian governments have made employers and workers jointly responsible for OHS. In addition to OHS laws, governments have passed other legislation that makes workplaces safer, including fire and building codes and hazardous materials and environment protection regulations. It is essential that every employer understand the occupational health and safety legislation that applies to their workplace(s) and implements the essential components of a safety program. These  include training, hazard identification, incident investigation and controls