Health and Safety Responsibilities of Supervisors

Everyone at the workplace has a specific role in helping to ensure health and safety on the job, and this includes supervisors and employers.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors direct the work of others and also have administrative responsibilities for health and safety. They must act on the directions and guidance of management and ensure desired results are achieved. Supervisors have a responsibility to:

• Ensure the health and safety of the workers they supervise.
• Know the hazards of the work they supervise.
• Enforce all aspects of the company’s health and safety requirements.
• Ensure all workers are adequately trained to perform their job safely and check on their progress regularly.
• Ensure only authorized, properly trained and certified crane operators use cranes.
• Ensure personal protective equipment is used correctly and kept in good condition.
• Ensure that cranes and other equipment are properly handled, stored, and maintained.
• Inspect for and correct unsafe acts and conditions before allowing work to start or continue.
• Report and investigate all incidents.
• Consult with the joint health and safety committee (JHSC) or worker health and safety representative.

People who supervise crane operators can review additional BC Crane Safety resources on effective supervision.

Employer Responsibilities

The employer has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring a safe and healthy workplace. The employer must:

• Establish and enforce health and safety requirements specific to the workplace, including the development of policies and procedures and implementing a comprehensive health and safety program.
• Ensure boom truck, mobile, and tower crane operators are certified by BC Crane Safety.
• Ensure workers are trained and supervised to work safely and are informed of hazards.
• Provide first aid facilities and services. •Ensure personal protective equipment is available and maintained.
• Investigate incidents and report serious workplace incidents, injuries, and illnesses to the authorities.
• Correct unsafe situations when reported or identified.
• Support supervisors and workers in their health and safety activities and provide supervisors with training.
• Consult with JHSCs or worker health and safety representatives.

Reference

Workers Compensation Act Part 2, Division 4, Sections 21–23

email: [email protected]
phone: 604-336-4699