The Manitoba Workplace Safety & Health Act sets out the duties and responsibilities of all members of a workplace. Each member of the workplace has a shared responsibility for health and safety in their environment; due to the authority held over the workplace, the employer has the greatest degree of responsibility for safety and health in the workplace. Workplaces also have supervisors in place to oversee a group of workers and ensure a safe and healthy workplace is maintained. 

Employer Responsibilities

Employers have a legal responsibility to keep all workers safe on the job, so far as reasonably practicable. Employers are to provide all staff, including supervisors, with:

• A workplace designed and maintained to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of workers with access to safe tools and safety equipment.

• Training to ensure supervisors are competent and have the knowledge required to oversee and assist in keeping workers safe from hazards that may be present in tasks as workers complete their job.

• Proper education and training for all staff to ensure workers are aware of hazards that may be present in the workplace. 

  • Training should include how to recognize and report hazards and controls in place to protect workers. 

• Co-operate with all workers and workplace safety and health committee members, where applicable, regarding safety and health matters.
  

For further information see: WSH Act Section 4: Duties of employers.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors in the workplace are required to be competently trained to recognize and address hazards in the workplace and provide training and direction to protect the safety and health of workers. Supervisors are required to:

• Ensure their workers are properly trained to recognize workplace hazards and understand reporting processes for hazards or safety and health concerns.

• Ensure workers trained to safely complete all tasks. Training should include all safe work procedures, the use and care of safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Monitor the workplace to ensure their workers are following safe work procedures and use appropriate safety equipment when completing a task.

• Ensure availability and openness to discuss and resolve safety and health concerns brought forward by their workers. 

• Cooperate with coworkers and committee members regarding safety and health matters.

For further information see: WSH Act Section 4: Duties of employers.

For more information on the health and safety responsibilities of employers and supervisors, MASH offers courses to outline these responsibilities: Safety and Health Leadership Training.

Resources

2022 Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation (gov.mb.ca)

Safety & Health Responsibilities (safemanitoba.com)

Safety-Talk-Supervisor-Responsibilities.pdf (s2sa.ca)