Health &
Safety

Health & Safety

Document Download

Occupational Health and Safety: A Guide for ONA Members

Statement of Beliefs: Occupational Health & Safety

The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) believes that it is the right of all its members to work in a healthy and safe work environment. It further believes in the pursuit of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations. As one of the largest health care unions in the province and in the country, ONA believes it is part of its mandate to exercise a strong leadership role in achieving progressively greater gains in the field of occupational health and safety.

Statement of Beliefs: Violence

The Ontario Nurses’Association (ONA) believes it is the right of all its members to work in an environment that is free of violence.

Violence in health care is a growing concern as health care workers are at the highest risk of violence in the workforce. Supervisors and employers must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of our members. Policies, procedures, appropriate staffing, equipment and other safety measures must be in place to reduce the risk of violence.

Violence, also known as abuse, can be defined as any act of violence, including physical, verbal and sexual abuse, harassment, including sexual harassment, threats, intimidation or anything that offends or humiliates, etc.

Employers and supervisors under the Occupational Health and Safety Act must take every precaution reasonable for the protection of our members. It is ONA’s position that, in circumstances where the supervisor is made aware of a potential or known hazard regarding violence and does not take every precaution reasonable for the protection of our members, the employer and supervisor is in violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and can be held liable under the Act.

Document Download		My Right to Refuse Unsafe Work: A Guide for ONA Members
Document Download		Your Complete Guide to WSIB