QWhat is an occupational health committee (OHC)?

AEmployers must set up and maintain an OHC at workplaces with 10 or more workers. If your workplace has between five and nine workers, your employer must appoint an occupational health committee representative.

An OHC works with employers and workers to create a healthy and safe work environment by detecting hazards in the workplace. The OHC also develops practical recommendations to eliminate or control hazards. For further information on occupational health committees, visit Occupational Health Committees (OHCs) | Occupational Health Committees and Occupational Health and Safety Representatives | Government of Saskatchewan

To view the current legislation, including The Saskatchewan Employment Act and The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, please visit the Publications Centre.

QWho needs Supervision and Safety training and what will you learn?

A

Supervisors must have knowledge of health and safety with respect to matters within their authority. Saskatchewan occupational health and safety legislation defines a supervisor as a person who is authorized by an employer to oversee or direct the work of the employer’s workers. The Supervision and Safety course ensures that all supervisors have the legislated knowledge required in their role.

All supervisors, as defined above, must obtain their Supervision and Safety certificate. There is no prerequisite to take this course.

By the end of this course, supervisors will know:

• What legislation is applicable to supervisors and how to locate relevant information in Saskatchewan legislation to address OHS issues in their workplace.
• What the roles and responsibilities are in the workplace for employers, supervisors, workers and the OHC.
• What the supervisor’s role is in workplace inspections and investigations.
• How to resolve worker concerns and how to investigate a worker’s refusal to do unusually dangerous work.

Legislative references:

• Section 3-6(1) of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, Supervision of work
• Section 3-9 of The Saskatchewan Employment Act, General duties of supervisors

Q Who needs Effective Return to Work training and what will you learn?

A

This course can help all partners in the return-to-work process obtain a better understanding of how to make an effective return-to-work program, how to navigate the legislative requirements and answer commonly asked questions. There is no prerequisite for attending this course.

This course covers:

• The purposes and benefits for establishing an effective return-to-work program.
• The legislation applicable to return to work.
• The roles and responsibilities for all partners in a return-to-work process.
• Confidentiality and handling of personal medical information.
• The management of an injury from the incident to staying at work or returning to work.
• The development and monitoring of a return-to-work program, modified work offerings and return-to-work plans.
• Barriers and challenges to return to work.

Legislative references:

• Section 2-41 of The Saskatchewan Employment Act, Employer must reassign employee or modify employee’s duties
• Section 53 of The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Act, Duty of employer to co-operate to achieve worker’s return to employment
• Section 51 of The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Act, Duties of worker

QDoes WorkSafe Saskatchewan offer in person training?

A

WorkSafe Saskatchewan offers in person training in Saskatoon and Regina. To view our in-person schedule, visit Storefront (bluedrop.io) and select the “IN PERSON” tab.

OHC Level 1, OHC Level 2 and Supervision and Safety are available for free in person as well as e-learning formats. The free Effective Return to Work course is currently only available in person.

QWhat is SkillsPass powered by Bluedrop?

A

SkillsPass is a free, secure online system that tracks your training and certification for courses offered through WorkSafe Saskatchewan on the registration learning management system.  In addition, you can access and share all your training and certification with current and future employers, training providers and site inspectors 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Bluedrop created the SkillsPass platform which exceeds the highest government standards on privacy and data security. SkillsPass delivers and validates skills and credentials across multi-stakeholder environments.

For technical assistance on navigating SkillsPass, please contact worksafesask@skillspass.com.