Occupational health and safety (OHS) compliance

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety explains that OHS legislation in each jurisdiction sets out the general rights and responsibilities of the employer, the supervisor and the worker through an Act and related regulations. A buyer of an industrial, trades or construction business can meet the term in diligence, alongside the workers’ compensation assessment.

Which law applies

The Centre says that if a company has workplaces in several jurisdictions, the laws of each jurisdiction must be followed for each location, and that federal legislation is commonly referred to as Canada Labour Code Part II. Alberta’s government says its rules fall under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, regulation and code. Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act defines “employer” as a person who employs one or more workers or contracts for the services of one or more workers, and defines “constructor” separately.

What to ask

• Which jurisdiction’s law covers each site, and who is the employer under it.
• Whether any inspection orders or notices are open.
• Whether the safety programs and records the law calls for exist and are current.