Workers’ rights weren’t handed to us; they were fought for! Let’s continue to stand for these rights in pursuit of safer and better working conditions for workers. In Ontario, under OHSA, every worker has three fundamental rights:
- Right to Know – Workers have the right to know about hazards on the jobsite and to be trained on how to protect themselves from harm.
- Right to Participate – Workers have the right to help identify and resolve jobsite health and safety concerns. This may involve asking questions, raising concerns, and becoming involved with matters related to their employer’s health and safety committee.
- Right to Refuse Unsafe Work – Workers have the right to refuse work that may endanger the health and safety of the worker or others. Employers cannot lay off or fire a worker for refusing unsafe work or asking them to address a health and safety issue.