In Saskatchewan, the government is singing, “See You In
September” because this Fall, they will proclaim
Bill 23; it includes changes to their Occupational
Health and Safety Act, 1993.
They have taken the severity of punishable OHS offences to
the next level…in fact it’s the highest penalty in
Canada. Section 58.7 will soon state,
“Every person who is guilty of an offence
mentioned in Section 57 that causes the death of or
serious injury to a worker is liable on summary
conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,500,000.”
You will also see changes in the general duties of
employers, suppliers, prime contractors, and supervisors
(S. 3, 3.1, 6.1 and 8). As well, Occupational Health
Officers will have a greater investigative authority (S.
30) when they believe a person is disregarding any
provision of this OHS Act or the Regulations.
So while the 1966 version (See You in
September by The Happenings) sings about danger –
“♫There is danger in the summer moon
above
Will I see you in September
Or lose you…♫”
If there’s danger in the Saskatchewan workplace, companies
had better take action because September means OHS
penalties are going to be at an all new high.
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