Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
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Labour

www.labour.gc.ca

Pamphlet 4 - Right to Refuse Dangerous Work

The Labour Program of Human Resources and Social Development Canada administers the Canada Labour Code. The purpose of Part II of the Canada Labour Code, is to protect your health and safety by preventing accidents and injuries on the job.

One of the basic rights for employees, is the right to refuse work that they believe presents a danger to themselves or another employee.

The right to refuse dangerous work

A worker has the right to refuse to do a job if that worker has reasonable cause to believe that:

  • there is a condition at work that is a danger to himself or herself; or
  • the use or operation of a machine or thing at work presents a danger to himself/herself or a co-worker; or
  • the performance of an activity constitutes a danger to the employee or to another employee.

In addition, Part II of the Code provides financial protection to employees who are affected by a stoppage of work when an employee exercises the right to refuse dangerous work.

Title Page

  1. Who has the right to refuse?
  2. What is the procedure for refusing dangerous work?
  3. What happens if a Health and Safety Officer decides there is no danger?
  4. How can an appeal be made to an Appeals Officer?
  5. What happens if a Health and Safety Officer decides there is danger?
  6. How is a request for the review of a Health and Safety Officer’s direction initiated?
  7. Can an employer take action against an employee for refusing to do dangerous work?

The following document is available for downloading or viewing:

Pamphlet 4 - Right to Refuse Dangerous Work (PDF Version, 70 KB)

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Date Modified:
2012-01-16