3.2 Boosting the Supervisor’s Safety duties and role

In Ontario, the duties of a workplace supervisor are set out mainly in Section 27 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). A supervisor is legally a person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker. 

Duties of a Workplace Supervisor (Ontario OHSA)

A supervisor must ensure that :

1) Workers follow the law and safe procedures

2) Required PPE and safety equipment are used

• use or wear equipment
• use protective devices
• wear protective clothing
  that the employer requires. 

3) Warn workers about known hazards

• advise workers of any actual danger
• advise workers of any potential danger
  that the supervisor knows about. 

4) Provide written instructions where required

If required by regulation

• give workers written instructions
  about the measures and procedures needed to protect them. 

5) Take every reasonable precaution

• Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances
  for the protection of workers.

This is a very important duty because it is broad and applies even where a hazard is not explicitly listed in a regulation. 

In Practical Workplace Terms, This Means a Supervisor Should:

Ontario’s supervisor guidance explains this in more everyday language. A supervisor should be actively involved in:

• telling workers about hazards and dangers
• responding to worker concerns
• showing workers how to work safely
• making sure workers follow company health and safety procedures
• checking that the right PPE is worn and used
• doing everything reasonable to prevent injury or illness. 

Important Extra Point: Competency

In Ontario, employers must appoint a competent person as a supervisor. That means the supervisor should:

• know the OHSA and regulations
• understand the workplace hazards
• be capable of organizing the work safely. 
• Be a good Communicator
• Have respect for workers

A Strong EHS Interpretation

From a good health and safety management point of view, the supervisor’s role is not just to “watch workers.” It is to make sure the system of work is actually working:

• procedures are understood
• equipment is fit for purpose
• people are trained
• hazards are being controlled
• concerns are acted on
• Workers are competent and detailed on Job Descriptions

That is why supervisors are so important

Supervisors need to be aware of all the hazards including those that are not visible like;

• electricity,
• noise,
• dust,
• vibration,
• radiation,
• pressure,
• fatigue,
• stress,
• stored energy,
• mental overload,
• complacency,

In many serious incidents, the hazard was not hidden physically it was hidden psychologically because people became accustomed to it.

• Noise becomes “normal.”
• Dust becomes “part of the job.”
• Fatigue becomes “expected.”
• Stress becomes “management pressure.”
• Electricity becomes “routine.”