In Quebec, the objective of the Act respecting occupational health and safety (AOHS) is to eliminate hazards at source by improving working conditions, and to reduce work-related accidents and illnesses by creating shared responsibilities between employers and workers.
To support contractors and RBQ respondents, Le Groupe GSC (Gestion Solution Construction) is setting up a new service dedicated to the development of prevention programs that comply with and are adapted to your worksites. The aim is to ensure compliance with the various legal requirements in terms of occupational health and safety.
In the construction industry, occupational health and safety is an inescapable responsibility for employers. This includes
- Identifying and managing risks on construction sites,
- The use and supply of personal protective equipment (PPE),
- Mandatory worker training (e.g. ASP Construction),
- Accident investigation and analysis,
- Compliance with standards set by the CNESST, the LSST and the Safety Code for Construction Work.
Who is concerned by Occupational Health and Safety?
Everyone involved in a project has a role to play:
- It is the workers ' responsibility to behave safely at all times and to actively participate in accident prevention on the worksite.
- The employer is responsible for organizing and maintaining a safe worksite, eliminating hazards and providing workers with the means to protect themselves.
- The foreman is the direct link between the employer and the workers, and therefore has the day-to-day responsibility of applying and enforcing health and safety rules on the worksite.
- The OHS representative is the workers' voice in OHS matters, and acts as a prevention agent in collaboration with the employer and foreman.
- The health and safety coordinator (COSS) acts as the conductor of prevention on a construction site, ensuring the consistency and effectiveness of health and safety measures implemented by all employers.
- The worksite committee is a consultative and collaborative body that enables workers and employers to work together to maintain a safe worksite.
- Regulatory bodies (e.g. CNESST, industry associations) are the guarantors of the law and prevention on worksites, ensuring that health and safety practices are applied and respected.
Why have a prevention program?
In Québec, the Act respecting occupational health and safety (AOHS) imposes certain obligations with regard to prevention programs:
- On construction sites (residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, etc.), the employer must develop and apply a prevention program as soon as 10 or more workers are simultaneously present on the site(art. 200 LSST). This program must be transmitted to the CNESST as soon as this threshold is reached or exceeded.
- In permanent establishments (companies), when a company has 20 or more workers, the employer must also set up a prevention program, which must be approved by the CNESST.
Even when this number is not reached, the CNESST strongly recommends the implementation of a prevention program, as it contributes to ensuring a safe working environment, both on worksites and in companies as a whole.
A prevention program under the OHSA(art.199) must contain the following elements:
- Identification and analysis of risks that may affect the health of workers in the facility;
- Measures and priorities for action to eliminate or, failing that, control risks;
- Monitoring, evaluation, maintenance and follow-up measures to ensure that identified risks are eliminated or controlled;
- The identification of personal protective equipment and means which, while complying with ;
- Occupational health and safety training and information programs ;
- Drawing up and updating a list of hazardous materials used on the construction site;
- Maintaining an adequate first-aid service to respond to emergencies.
Introducing GSC's new occupational health and safety service!
To support you, GSC offers two options:
- Free offer:
A general program, adaptable to any type of facility or construction site, delivered in editable Word format. Telephone support and rapid e-mail transmission. - Customized offer (for a fee) :
Appointment with Geneviève Grondin, HR & OHS Managerfor the development of your customized prevention program, adapted to the realities of your worksite. This service includes :- A need-taking call,
- A virtual or in-person meeting at one of our four branches(GSC Laval, GSC Brossard, GSC Gatineau and GSC Québec),
- A complete, personalized and legally compliant dossier.
Steps to take advantage of the service
- Call one of our four branches to discuss your OHS needs.
- Online or in-branch appointment (recommended) with Geneviève Grondin(438-498-3251).
- Delivery of a prevention program tailored to your needs.
To remember
- Health and safety on construction sites is an absolute priority when it comes to preventing workplace accidents.
- A well-structured accident prevention program reduces the risk of accidents while improving productivity.
- GSC offers you personalized support in designing and implementing your prevention program.
Common errors
- Turning up at a construction site and thinking it unnecessary to wear personal protective equipment, on the pretext that inspectors never visit the site.
- Developing a prevention program without complying with the requirements of the OHSA.
- Failure to present the prevention program to all site stakeholders, including workers, supervisors, foremen, COSS, RSS and the site committee.
- Wait for a visit from a CNESST inspector before implementing a prevention program.
Example
A general contractor in the commercial sector undertakes the construction of a commercial building. Several subcontractors and his own employees are working on the site, for a total of 13 workers present at the same time, making it mandatory to set up a prevention program in accordance with section 200 of the OHSA.
A few weeks after work began, a CNESST inspector made a surprise visit. His inspection revealed a lack of documented measures, including a prevention program. The contractor then receives a corrective order, inviting him to produce this program within a time limit set by the inspector, failing which penalties may include a fine or temporary closure of the worksite.
Had he used Groupe GSC's free template or called in our OHS specialist, the contractor would have complied with health and safety requirements, thus avoiding any CNESST penalties.
Is a prevention program mandatory for all worksites?
Yes, if your site has at least 10 workers simultaneously.
If the worksite has fewer than 20 employees, a prevention program is not mandatory. However, if the CNESST requires it during an inspection, you will have to create one.
Do I have to send the prevention program to the CNESST?
The CNESST may require to see the prevention program during an inspection or in the event of an incident/accident. There is no legal obligation to systematically submit it before work begins.
What's the difference between the free model and GSC's personalized support?
The free model offers a general prevention program, ideal as a starting point. Customized support, on the other hand, is tailored to your specific needs, taking into account the size of the worksite, the type of work involved and the particular risks involved.
Can I set up my own program?
Yes, but calling in a specialist ensures that your program is compliant and that safety measures are in order.
Does this service protect me in the event of a CNESST inspection?
No, this service does not guarantee automatic protection during an inspection. On the contrary, it helps you to draw up a clear prevention program that complies with legal requirements, to put in place safe measures and practices to reduce the risk of accidents, and to train your teams and raise their awareness of health and safety in the workplace.