In PEI, employers that regularly employ five or more workers are required to have an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Policy. Employers with 20 or more workers must have an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Program.
OHS Policy
An OHS policy is a statement of principles and general rules that serve as guides for action.
The OHS policy must be:
- Written down.
- Reviewed at least annually.
- Created in consultation with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety (JOHS) Committee or Safety Representative, if present.
When a committee or representative is not required, the employer must consult with workers when developing the policy.
The employer must:
- State their commitment to occupational health and safety in the policy.
- Commit to cooperating with workers to maintain occupational health and safety.
- State the responsibilities of themselves (the employer), supervisors, and other workers to fulfill these commitments.
Learn more about creating an OHS policy.
OHS Program
An OHS Program is a written plan that helps employers and workers keep the workplace safe. It identifies workplace hazards, outlines safety responsibilities, and explains what to do in an emergency. An OHS Program helps make health and safety part of everyday work and clearly defines everyone's role in maintaining a safe workplace.
An effective OHS Program helps reduce injuries, unnecessary costs, and will help defend an employer against any charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
An OHS Program must:
- Be in writing
- Be reviewed at least annually
- Include a comprehensive OHS policy
- Identify the types of work that require health and safety procedures
- Include occupational health and safety work practices and how they will be implemented
- Include procedures for training workers in relevant occupational health and safety issues
- Be available, and accessible, to view by all employees.
- Be created in consultation with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety (JOHS) Committee or Safety Representative, if present.
Learn more about creating a safety program.
If you have any questions or would like help creating your OHS Program, please reach out to our OHS division by email at ohs@wcb.pe.ca or by phone at 902-368-5697 or toll-free in Atlantic Canada 1-800-237-5049.