NEWFOUNDLAND - Policies and programs regarding health and safety in the workplace will be mandatory as of January 1, 2002. Employers with less than 10 employees are required to have a policy. Companies with more than 10 employees are expected to have a program in place.

"Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act which were approved earlier this year require that employers develop and implement written health and safety programs or policies for their workplace," said Labour Minister Anna Thistle.

Training and information will be made available through a province wide program being offered by the Health and Safety Training Unit and sponsored by the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission.

"The desired outcome will be fewer workplace accidents and injuries, lower employers' compensation premiums, less suffering of the injured worker and their family, and reduced administrative costs for handling workplace accidents and injuries," says Thistle.

For more information call the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Department of Labour at 1-800-563-5471. If you have training questions call the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission at 1-800-563-9000 ext. 1552.

 

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to visit CanadaOne's article knowledge base for more informative articles.