Steps for Resolving Occupational Health and Safety Concerns

When a safety concern arises, workers should:

1. Contact their supervisor to discuss their safety concerns in an effort to resolve them. Supervisors should promptly investigate the concern and take any appropriate corrective action. If the supervisor can't resolve the concern, he/she should contact the employer/manager about the concern.
2. If the issue can't be resolved between the worker and supervisor, or the supervisor refuses to address the issue, workers should contact their occupational health committee or occupational health and safety representative. The committee should try to resolve the concern with the workers and the supervisor and employer/manager if necessary.
3. If the issue cannot be resolved, contact occupational health and safety. An occupational health officer may be able to offer some advice/assistance to help resolve the problem.

When a committee identifies unsafe conditions at the workplace, they should provide written a notice about the unsafe condition(s) and their recommended corrective action(s) to the employer.

When employers receive the committee's recommendations, they:

• Are required to inform the committee/representative in writing of the actions they have taken or will take to correct the unsafe condition. Or, if the employer chooses not to correct the unsafe condition(s), they must give written reasons for this as well.
• If the employer did not accept the recommended corrective actions, the committee may need to find other suitable solutions for the unsafe condition(s).
• If the issue cannot be resolved, an occupational health officer should be called. The officer will try to help both sides find an acceptable solution. If that is not possible, the officer will make a decision based on the requirements of The Saskatchewan Employment Act and regulations.