On top of that, employers and workers who repetitively fail to comply with OHS legislation could receive an administrative penalty of up to $10,000.

This is the first time that Occupational Health and Safety has been able to issue monetary fines.  Before this a violator would be issued a stop-work order or they would be taken to court.  This new legislation gives officers a tool to enforce safety that is between those two consequences.

OHS spokesperson Brookes Merritt told the Calgary Herald that OHS needed something that was more severe than an order to comply, but less severe than prosecution.

It’s important to remember that safety on the job site is a shared responsibility between the employer and workers.  Employers are responsible to invest in proper safety training and procedures for their employees and the work site.  It is the responsibility of each employee to follow through with that training, maintain safety practices, and follow Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

Read more in this article published by the Calgary Herald.