Basics of Supervising

IHSA Safety Podcast: Supervising and Provincial Regulations

Our multi-part series on Supervisors covers discussions with various subject matter experts. Find out more by visiting the podcast links below.

• Episode 22: The Competent Supervisor
• Episode 23: Supervisors: Identifying and Addressing Hazards
• Episode 24: Supervisors: Duties of a Supervisor
• Episode 25: Documentation and Communication: Duties of a Supervisor
• Episode 26: Supervisor Series "Training Requirements"

Program Description

The Basics of Supervising training program provides supervisors with the skills to manage their health and safety duties as described by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Participants learn what Ontario’s OHSA requires a supervisor to do as it relates to workplace health and safety.

The program explains the duties of all workplace parties as described by the OHSA – constructor, employer, supervisor, and worker. Participants learn how to navigate the OHSA and Regulations. This program is designed for participants to use either the Construction Projects regulation (O. Reg. 213/91) or the Industrial Establishments regulation (O. Reg. 851).

After participants understand their responsibilities, they learn about a supervisor’s safety tasks – communicating the hazards, inspecting the workplace, investigating incidents, and enforcing the rules. Each task is explained and specific activities are practiced during the training program. If completed properly, these tasks will help supervisors comply with their health and safety responsibilities.

Basic supervisory skills are integrated throughout the program. These skills, which include four management functions, as well as leadership styles and how to deal with problems, provide supervisors with techniques for effectively implementing health and safety in the workplace.

At the end of this training program, participants will be motivated to implement health and safety because they understand what they have to do and how to do it.

This training program meets the requirements for Basic occupational health and safety awareness training for workers and supervisors as outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training regulation (O. Reg. 297/13, s.1-4) under the OHSA.

Program Content

1. Health and Safety Law

Participants will be able to:

• Locate and cite sections in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and applicable regulations
• Identify the duties of a constructor, employer, supervisor, and worker under the OHSA.
• Identify when a competent person and competent worker are required in the workplace.
• Identify the three rights of a worker under the OHSA.
• Define due diligence and identify tasks supervisors can perform to fulfill their health and safety responsibilities.

2. Supervisor Safety Tasks

Participants will learn how to perform the duties of a supervisor by:

• Communicating hazard information through safety talks and worker orientations
• Monitoring health and safety activities through workplace inspections
• Investigating incidents and determine the immediate and underlying causes
• Enforcing health and safety rules.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this training program.

Who Should Attend?

This training program is intended for front-line supervisors who have never received training in supervisory skills relating to their health and safety responsibilities.

This program is also ideal for individuals who manage a workplace and lead front-line supervisors or for those who manage workplace health and safety.

Personal Protective Equipment

Participants must wear appropriate clothing for classroom training.

Learning Evaluation

To obtain a certificate of completion for this program, participants must be in attendance for the entire program and pass a written multiple-choice test. To pass, participants must achieve an overall grade of 75%.

Participant Course Evaluation

At the end of the training, participants will have the opportunity to evaluate and provide comments about the training they received.