Keeping your employees safe isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also a legal requirement. In Alberta, your business is responsible for complying with the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation and creating a safe work environment.
But too often, companies wait until it’s too late, whether it’s after an incident, an audit, or a certification deadline. By then, the damage is done.
So when’s the right time to start? The answer: before you’re forced to.
There are a few common signs that your business may need to implement or update its OH&S program. For instance, if you’re unsure whether you meet Alberta’s legal safety requirements, it’s likely time for a review. Similarly, frequent safety incidents or close calls often point to gaps in your safety procedures. Another clear sign that you need to update your OH&S is if your employees seem unclear about emergency procedures, hazard identification, or their specific safety responsibilities.
As your company grows and expand your team and add new locations, your risk level increases, which means there’s a higher need for a more structured approach to safety. In addition, lacking proper documentation such as hazard assessments or safety policies can expose your business to unnecessary risk. Lastly, if you’re preparing for industry audits or certifications, ensuring compliance in advance can prevent stress and penalties.
Ideally, your safety program should be in place well before risk shows up. When your business is just getting off the ground, you need to develop OH&S policies to ensure compliance and limit risk. Likewise, knowing all the steps to setting up your program before hiring employees ensures a safe workplace from day one.
Additionally, business expansion is another trigger point. Growth requires a fresh look at your existing safety practices. Moreover, any workplace incident or near miss should prompt an immediate evaluation. And if you’re planning to pursue certification or licensing, you’ll want to ensure you meet all OH&S standards beforehand. In short, being proactive rather than reactive is key to effective safety planning.
If your team includes 20 or more employees, you’re legally required to establish a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) under Alberta OH&S legislation. This committee is responsible of identifying hazards, conducting inspections, and keeping your workplace compliant.
Your health and safety committee must include at least four members, and importantly, half of them must represent workers. These members meet quarterly, investigate incidents, recommend safety improvements, and ensure policies are being followed. Employers, in turn, must support the committee with adequate time, training, and resources. Similarly, if your business has between five and nineteen employees, you’ll need to assign a Health and Safety Representative instead.
At Tenfold HR Solutions, we help you simplify workplace safety while understanding the important role it plays in an organization. Whether you’re just starting out or need help updating your current approach, we’ll help you stay compliant with Alberta’s OH&S laws and build a safer workplace in the process.
Step 1: Initial Assessment & Scope: We begin with an initial assessment and scope definition. This means we start with a conversation to understand your business, your operations, and your current safety practices. From there, we determine whether you need a Joint Health and Safety Committee or a Health and Safety Representative.
Step 2: Policy & Documentation: Next, we move into policy and documentation development. We create or revise essential materials including your Health and Safety Policy, Harassment and Violence Prevention Plan, Emergency Response Plan, and Hazard Assessments. We also provide incident reports, inspection forms, orientation templates, and other useful tools.
Step 3: Customization & Implementation: After documentation is ready, our team focuses on customization and implementation. We customize everything to your industry and business needs, then guide you through adopting these policies effectively. Our goal is to make implementation smooth and manageable.
Step 4: Training & Support: In the next stage, we offer training and support. We run safety orientation sessions, JHSC training, and emergency procedure workshops. In addition, we cover workplace hazard identification and ensure your internal safety leaders feel prepared and confident.
Step 5: Ongoing Maintenance & Compliance: Lastly, we provide ongoing maintenance and compliance support. OH&S requirements can change, and we help you keep your documents and training current. By staying up to date, your business can stay ahead of risk.
If your business operates in a high-risk industry like construction, manufacturing, or industrial services, you may need specialized support. In these environments, basic safety planning often isn’t enough. In those cases, we can connect you with certified safety professionals who offer deeper expertise. That way, you’ll have all the right tools and people in place to manage risk properly.
Compliance is just the beginning. A well-designed Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) program makes your employees feel safe, supported, and empowered. And when safety becomes part of your company culture, your entire business benefits.
Whether you’re launching your first program or improving what you already have, Tenfold HR Solutions will help you meet your safety obligations with confidence.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to begin building a stronger, safer workplace.
FREE LUNCH-HOUR WORKSHOP
Wed Oct 14, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Mountain. Online in Microsoft Teams. |
One hour, one problem, and a one-page tool you can use with your own team that week. |
You leave with: The one-page Role Scorecard |
