MLT Alert! Proposed Amendments to Saskatchewan's OH&S Legislation
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced legislative amendments aimed at improving workplace health and safety in the province. A few of the proposed amendments to The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 that employers should be aware of include:
- an increase in the maximum fines and range of penalties for occupational heath and safety violations including, for example, an increase in the maximum monetary fine from $300,000 to as much as $1.5 million where there is a severe injury or death of a worker;
- establishment of procedures to increase the effectiveness of occupational health committees and programs, including a requirement that certain employers compile occupationally related injury and illness statistics for their place of employment;
- enhanced duties for employers and other parties in relation to the training and supervision of employees and maintenance of equipment;
- the ability of an employer to designate a prime contractor at worksites which will be responsible for ensuring that legislative provisions are complied with and safe workplace practices are carried out at the worksite; and
- increased investigative authority for Occupational Health and Safety Officers.
Click here to access an online copy of Bill No. 23: An Act to Amend The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, which received its first reading on December 13, 2011.
This Alert! is intended for general information only. Please feel free to contact us for additional information on this or any other issue:
- Brian Kenny, Q.C. | Regina | (306) 347-8421 | bkenny@mlt.com
- Kevin Wilson, Q.C. | Saskatoon | (306) 975-7103 | kwilson@mlt.com