Well-being and safety in the workplace

A few days ago I had an interesting coversation with a woman who is involved with workplace safety. She was interested in the respectful workplace legislation that the LIberals introduced. She said she has noticed that in much of the discussion of workplace safety, the impression is always that safety is always up to the employee, and that systems assume that when mistakes happen, it’s always the employee’s fault. She felt that there needs to be a greater understanding of the responsibility of employers to provide safe and healthy workplaces.

It reminded me of a report I heard from a man a few years ago where he went to a couple of job sites to obtain employment. In one job site, he found out that the expectations the employer had of him would jeopardize his safety. At another job, he noticed unsanitary food practices and was told this is how they do things unless the health inspector is around.

Employees and employers both have responsibilities for safety and health in the workplace. Employers, however, have more power to ensure that it happens.

The Liberals believe that employers have a responsibility to provide safe, healthy and respectful workplaces to employees. Check out my new page on respectful workplaces.

Like what you see? Feel free to send feedback to judiheppnercampaign@gmail.com.

February 3, 2010