What rights do employees have regarding their health and safety?

Employees have the right to refuse unsafe work as a fundamental aspect of workplace health and safety legislation in Canada. This right is enshrined in various occupational health and safety acts across different provinces and at the federal level. It empowers employees to take action if they believe that their work environment poses an immediate risk to their safety or health. When an employee exercises this right, it triggers a process where the situation must be investigated, and appropriate measures must be taken to address any hazards before the employee can be required to return to that task.

This right underscores the importance Canada places on protecting workers and ensuring that they are not coerced into performing tasks that could endanger them. It is part of a broader framework aimed at promoting safe workplaces and ensuring that employers have a duty to address any safety concerns raised by their employees.