Table of Contents
Occupational Health and Safety Responsibilities of Directors, Owners, Employers, Managers and Supervisors
Last Updated: November 2022
Prepared by CCOHS
This reference document lists sections in Canadian federal, provincial and territorial legislation dealing with general occupational health and safety responsibilities of employers, owners and management. This document is a guide to the general duties and requirements of those in positions of authority across Canadian jurisdictions. For specific health and safety requirements, please see our complete list of reference documents by topic.
For a more in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the legislative requirements please review the CCOHS Canadian enviroOSH Legislation plus Standards service. Where additional information is required, the Canadian Governmental Occupational Health & Safety Departments (http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/information/govt.html) should be contacted.
This list is prepared by CCOHS as part of the Canadian enviroOSH Legislation service . This service is a comprehensive and easy to search compilation of the full text of Canadian health, safety and environmental legislation and critical guidelines and codes of practice from all jurisdictions. All the legislation is compiled into one convenient location and is regularly updated with amendments highlighted.
Subscribers to this service and paid learners of the CCOHS e-courses have access to the full text of the legislation listed in this document. To become a subscriber please contact Client Services .
Canada
Canada Labour Code, Part II (R.S.C. 1985, c. L-2)
Duties of Employers
Section 124 General duty of employer
Section 125 Specific duties of employer
Section 125.1 Further specific duties of employer
Alberta
Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.A. 2020, c. O-2.2)
Section 3 Obligations of employers
Section 4 Obligations of supervisors
Section 7 Obligations of service providers
Section 8 Obligations of contracting employers
Section 9 Obligations of owners
Section 10 Obligations of prime contractors
Section 11 Obligations of temporary staffing agencies
Section 12 Multiple obligations
British Columbia
Workers Compensation Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 492)
Part 3 Occupational Health and Safety
Division 3, General Duties of Employers, Workers and Others
Section 115 General duties of employers
Section 117 General duties of supervisors
Section 119 General duties of owner
Section 121 Duties of directors and officers of a corporation
Section 122 General obligations are not limited by specific obligations
Section 123 Persons may be subject to obligations in relation to more than one role
Section 124 Responsibility when obligations apply to more than one person
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, B.C. Reg. 296/97
Part 3 Rights and Responsibilities
Workplace Inspections
Section 3.5 General requirement
Occupational First Aid
Section 3.20 Multiple employer workplaces
Manitoba
Workplace Safety and Health Act (C.C.S.M. c. W210)
Duties of Employers
Section 4 General duties of employers
Duties of Supervisors
Section 4.1 Duties of supervisors
Duties of Owners
Duty to Provide Required Information
Section 7.5 Definition: required information
Persons with Multiple Functions
Section 7.6 Definition: function
Section 7.7 Responsibility if duties apply to more than one person
Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (Man. Reg. 217/2006)
Part 1 Definitions and General Matters
Section 1.7 Employer's obligations extended
New Brunswick
Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.N.B. 1983, c. O_0.2)
Duties of employers, owners, contractors, sub-contractors, employees and suppliers
Section 10 Duties of contractor and subcontractor
Section 10.1 Duties of contracting employer
Newfoundland and Labrador
Occupational Health And Safety Act (R.S.N.L. 1990, c. O-3)
Section 4 Employers' general duty
Section 5 Specific duties of employers
Section 5.1 Supervisors' general duty
Section 5.2 Specific duties of supervisors
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2012, N.L.R. 5/12
Section 14 General duties of employers
Section 19 Co-ordination of work
Section 20 Two or more employers
Section 21 Appointment of qualified co-ordinator
Northwest Territories
Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1)
Health and safety
Section 6 Availability of Act and regulations
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (R-039-2015)
Section 12 General duties of employers
Section 15 Duty of principal contractor to inform
Section 16 Supervision of work
Section 17 Duty to inform workers
Nova Scotia
Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.N.S. 1996, c. 7)
Sections 13 and 19 Duties and Precautions
Occupational Safety General Regulations (N.S. Reg. 44/99)
Nunavut
Mine Health and Safety Act (Nunavut) (S.N.W.T, 1994, c. 25),
Section 3 Duties of directors and officers
Section 15 Duties of contractor
Section 16 Duties of supervisors
Section 17 Workers to comply with Act
Safety Act (R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. S-1)
Health and Safety
Section 6 Availability of Act and regulations
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (R-003-2016)
Section 12 General Duties of Employers
Section 15 Duty of principal contractor to inform
Section 16 Supervision of work
Section 17 Duty to inform workers
Ontario
Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1)
Part III Duties of Employers and Other Persons
See also:
Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (May 10, 2022)
Prince Edward Island
Occupational Health and Safety Act (R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. O-1.01)
Duties of Employers, Workers and Other Persons
Section 12 Duties of employers
Section 13 Duties of constructor
Section 14 Duties of contractor
Section 19 Duties of service provider
Section 20 Duties of architect and engineer
Occupational Health and Safety Act General Regulations (EC180/87)
Section 1.2 Employer to ensure compliance
Quebec
Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety (R.S.Q., c. S-2.1)
Part III Rights and Obligations
Division II The Employer
Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (R.R.Q., c. S-2.1, r.19.01, O.C. 885-2001)
Division II General Provisions
Section 4 Employer's obligations
Section 5 Operational status of equipment
Regulation respecting industrial and commercial establishments (R.R.Q. S-2.1, r.9)
Division II General Provisions
§ 2.2 Duties of the head of establishment
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Employment Act (S.S. 2013, c. S-15.1),
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (c. S-15.1 R.10)
Section 3-1 General duties of employers
Section 3-2 General duties of workers
Section 3-3 Employment of young persons
Section 3-4 Duty of employer or contractor to provide information
Section 3-5 Duty of contractor to inform
Section 3-6 Supervision of work
Section 3-7 Duty to inform workers
Yukon
Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act (S.Y. 2021, c. 11)
Part 3 Workplace Health And Safety
Division 2 Duties of Employers, Workers and Others
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, O.I.C. 2006/178
Section 1.04, Eliminate or control hazards