FAQs : Safety and Health Officers and Inspections

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1. Who are safety and health officers?
2. When do SHOs visit a workplace?
3. How do SHOs identify themselves?
4. Can I accompany the SHO?
5. What powers do SHOs have?

1. Who are Safety and Health Officers?

SHOs enforce the law to protect the safety and health of Manitobans at work. SHOs come to the position with a variety of education, training and experience in occupational safety and health, skilled trades and professions, and regulatory enforcement fields.

SHOs:

1. conduct inspections to monitor and enforce compliance with The Workplace Safety and Health Act and its associated regulations
2. respond to emergencies and investigate serious workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities
3. investigate work refusals and allegations of workers being penalized for exercising a safety right
4. provide information and guidance regarding WSH laws

2. When do SHOs visit a workplace?

SHOs may visit your workplace by random selection, as part of a targeted initiative or as a result of an incident, reprisal or right to refuse investigation. Inspections can be impromptu and without advance notice.

3. How do SHOs identify themselves?

All SHOs carry photo identification and will identify themselves upon entering the workplace, or upon request.

4. Can I accompany the SHO?

Yes. The officer asks to be accompanied by a worker and the employer or a representative of the employer during the inspection.

5. What powers do SHOs have?

SHOs may:

1. enter any premise, at any reasonable time, where work is taking place
2. conduct interviews and ask questions
3. take pictures, measurements or samples
4. gather information, ask for, examine and make copies of documents
5. issue orders that
• require an unsafe working condition to be remedied by a specified time
• stop work immediately until the hazard is fixed
6. consult with a technical or scientific expert in carrying out their duties

Employers are required by law to cooperate and assist safety and health officers in their work.

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