Everyone has a role to play in creating a safe and healthy workplace. On Prince Edward Island, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act and its regulations set out the minimum standards that employers and workers must follow to help prevent injuries and illnesses on the job, as well as general safety principles for Island workplaces.
The OHS Act is built on the idea of shared responsibility. This is known as the Internal Responsibility System and means that both employers and workers have a part to play in keeping workplaces safe. By understanding your rights and responsibilities, you can help create a healthier, safer workplace for everyone.
Your rights as a worker
Every person working in Prince Edward Island has:
- The right to know about information and issues that affect your workplace health and safety.
- The right to participate in your workplace safety by reporting unsafe or unhealthy work conditions or joining your joint occupational health and safety committee.
- The right to refuse unsafe or unhealthy work.
Watch this short video to learn more about the process of refusing unsafe work.
Your responsibilities as a worker
As a worker, your responsibilities include:
- Reporting unsafe conditions and all injuries to your employer.
- Working safely and following health and safety rules.
- Asking for training if you need it.
- Using personal protective equipment as required.
- Cooperating with your health and safety representative or committee.
If you have a work-related injury or illness, your responsibilities as a worker include:
- Getting first aid or medical attention.
- Make sure to tell your health care provider that you were hurt at work. The WCB will require information about your injury from your health care provider.
- Reporting the injury to your employer.
- Explain how and where the injury happened and who was involved. Please provide as much detail as you can. If you have a safety committee or representative, make sure that they know about your injury as well.
- Completing a Worker’s Report.
- Whether or not your injury causes you to miss time at work, you must complete this form through our Online Services, or complete the fillable version and send it to us by email, mail, fax, or drop it off in person. Please do not leave the report with your employer.
If you have a work-related injury or illness, your employer also has responsibilities, including:
- Providing first aid and making sure you get immediate health care if needed.
- Reporting the injury to the WCB.
- Keeping in contact and working collaboratively with both you and the WCB to help you stay at work or return to work in a safe and timely manner.
Learn more about your employer's responsibilities.
The WCB provides inspections, investigations, education services, and resources to help you know your rights and responsibilities at work.
A worker's role in recovery and returning to work
Work is an important part of life, especially as you recover from an injury. Staying active, productive, and connected to your workplace can help you recover faster.
If you are off work due to a workplace injury or illness, the WCB will work with you, your employer, and your health care provider to develop a safe return to work plan.
It is very important to maintain regular communication with your manager or supervisor. This includes updating them on your recovery, your return to work plan, and discussing possible modified work options as you recover.
Stay in touch with your case manager at least every two weeks to provide an update on your recovery and return to work plan. Contact them sooner if there are any changes to your recovery, job status, earnings, or income.
Maintaining open and respectful communication with the WCB is one of your responsibilities while you are receiving WCB benefits.
You are also responsible for attending appointments while receiving WCB benefits. This is an essential part of your recovery.
You have the right to access your claim file and the right to appeal a decision.
Learn more about your rights and responsibilities, as well as your employer’s responsibilities, in our Information for Workers guide.