By law, you have basic rights, including:

1. The Right to Know about what hazards there are in your workplace and to know what to do to prevent injuries from them.
2. The Right to Participate in health and safety activities in your workplace without fear of discipline.
3. The Right to Refuse work that you reasonably believe can be dangerous to yourself or others.

1. Work Safely: use all machinery and equipment the way you were trained to.
2. Report Hazards: if you know that Ontario's health and safety laws are not being followed, you must report the circumstances to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible.
3. Use or Wear Protective Devices: don't remove a guard or device designed to protect you. Wear your safety gear--it's the law.

Protect yourself. Know your rights and responsibilities.

For more information for young workers go to www.youngworker.ca or www.WorkSmartOntario.gov.on.ca

If you need help with a concern about safety in your workplace, call the local office of the Ontario Ministry of Labour (listed in the blue pages of your phone book) or 1-800-268-8013.

You go to driving school to become a safer, smarter driver, so why not get the same advantage in the workplace? A $9.00 lifetime Passport to Safety membership provides a standardized safety test, a nationally recognized safety transcript for you to attach to your résumé, and 24/7 access to workplace safety resources. Find out more about it at: www.passporttosafety.com

Produced by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, June 2004

The Ontario Ministry of Labour does not assume and is not responsible for any liability whatsoever for any use of this material. To determine rights and obligations under the laws regulating workplace health and safety, the reader is directed to the provisions of the OHSA and the regulations made under that statute.