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Hazard Prevention Program Guide

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1. Purpose of the Regulations

Work places contain a wide range of hazards, some known, others less so. We have learned to control most of them, sometimes instinctively, sometimes intentionally. Given the ever-increasing complexity of work places, we can no longer rely on instinct alone. Risk must be managed just like any other business function. The negative impacts are so costly in human and financial terms that we must control them. For this reason, paragraph 125(1)(z.03) of the Canada Labour Code requires employers under federal jurisdiction “to develop, implement and monitor (...) a prescribed program for the prevention of hazards in the work place... ”

It is not possible to develop a standard prevention program that would work for all businesses. Transporting bags of flour by truck does not involve the same hazards as those inherent in producing flour in a mill. The prevention program will vary depending on the type of work performed, the size of the work place and the nature of the hazards. That is why Part XIX of the Regulations presents a prevention process and not a specific program model. By following the process described in subsection 19.1(1) of Part XIX of the Regulations, you will be able to implement and maintain useful, practical and effective precautionary measures enabling you to prevent the occurrence of accidents, diseases and a number of other losses. The decision-making framework below illustrates the prevention process, which includes the following six components:

• the implementation plan
• the hazard identification and assessment methodology
• hazard identification and assessment
• preventive measures
• employee education
• program evaluation

Since employees constantly face hazards at work, the Regulations require that the policy committee, the work place committee and/or the health and safety representative be consulted and participate from the outset in the prevention process. By ensuring their cooperation, you increase the chances that your prevention program will be successful.

As outlined in Part XIX of the Regulations, an employer shall develop, implement and monitor a program for the prevention of hazards in the work place, in consultation and with the participation of the committee*. This means that the committee will be consulted and shall participate in the development and monitoring of the implementation plan, the development of the hazard identification and assessment methodology. As well, the policy committee shall be consulted and shall participate in respect to hazard identification and assessment, by outlining the role of the work place health and safety committee and/or health and safety representative with respect to hazard identification and assessment.

*Note: For the purpose of this guide, Committee means policy committee, or if there is no policy committee, the work place health and safety committee or the health and safety representative.

The committee shall also participate in the development and implementation of the preventive measures that will address the assessed hazards, and shall participate in the development and review of the educational materials established for employees' health and safety education.

The committee shall also participate in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the hazard prevention program, and in any necessary revisions of the program.

The hazard prevention program is a tool that brings together all the efforts undertaken in support of occupational health and safety in the work place.

Decision-Making Framework (Sections 19.2 to 19.8 of the Regulations)

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Date Modified:

2012-05-01