In Saskatchewan, workplace health and safety is governed by The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (includes amendments that came into force on November 7, 2012) and The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996. The Act and Regulations apply to employers, supervisors, workers, self-employed persons, contractors, suppliers and owners. 

N.B. Employers whose business crosses provincial boundaries, such as transportation, telecommunications and banking companies, fall under federal jurisdiction.

Notice: The Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour and Workplace Safety does not recognize, certify, or endorse any third party training beyond the qualified instructor and approved training agency status processes in place for OHC training.  Additionally, the Occupational Health and Safety Division does not prescribe specific courses be provided by any particular firm.  For information on how to become a qualified instructor or approved training agency, contact OHS.  Training you take and pay for with any external third party will be done at your own risk.  Doing research and performing reference checks for any training you require is recommended. 

OHS News, Notices and Upcoming Events:

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information (WHMIS)
Notice: The National Office of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) has issued this alert related to the aggressive and misleading tactics being used by some commercial providers of WHMIS training products.

If you believe that a company has misrepresented their affiliation with the Occupational Health and Safety Division and/or mislead you as to your obligations as an employer under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996, you are encouraged to report your concern to the Competition Bureau, the Canadian Council of Better Business, or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center.

• Competition Bureau
  www.competitionbureau.gc.ca
• Canadian Council of Better Business
  www.bbb.org/canada
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Center
  www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

More information about WHMIS training requirements can be found at: http://www.lrws.gov.sk.ca/whmis or www.whmis.gc.ca. 

• Government is introducing a new regulation to provide additional protections for workers in late night retail premises providing service between the hours of 11 PM and 6 AM.
• The regulation:
  o requires employers to conduct a workplace hazard assessment consistent with an approved industry standard.
  o introduces specific requirements to protect all workers in these premises that include:
     - Safe cash handling procedures;
     - The use of video camera equipment; and
     - Visibility and signage requirements.
  And, for those workers who work alone:
     - Procedural implementation of a check-in system; and,
     - Personal emergency transmitter devices for individual workers.
• The regulation will come into force 60 days following its publishing in the Gazette.

For more information, please view the Interpretive Guide - Bill 23 Amendments to The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993.

Operation of Chlorine Gas Rooms for Occupational Health and Safety
This fact sheet describes occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements that apply to the operation of chlorine gas storage and feed rooms for swimming pools. Learn more.

Design and Construction of Chlorine Gas Rooms for Occupational Health and Safety and Public Health
This fact sheet describes occupational health and safety and public health requirements that apply to the design and construction of new chlorine gas storage and feed rooms for swimming pools. The designer and owner of the facility should contact Occupational Health and Safety Division (OHS) during the design phase to ensure the facility will be in compliance with OHS requirements prior to construction. Learn more.

Protection of Worker's Rights

Workers are legally protected from disciplinary action or other sanction by the employer for fulfilling their responsibilities or exercising their rights under the Act.  Discriminatory action could mean anything from a verbal warning, written warning, suspension, firing, demotion, loss of wages,

Section 27 of the OHS Act prohibits the employer from taking discriminatory action if the worker:

• Acts in compliance with the Act and Regulations or a Notice of Contravention;
• Seeks to have the Act or Regulations; or
• Assists with the activities of the occupational health committee or representative; or
• Seeks to establish an occupational health committee or representative; or
• Performs the functions of an occupational health committee member or representative; or
• Refuses to work pursuant to section 23 of the Act; or
• Gives information to an occupational health committee or representative.

More about OHS:

For more information on OHS legislation and regulations or our ministry programs and services, please contact our OHS office toll-free at 1.800.567.7233. 

Head Office:
6th Floor, 1870 Albert Street
REGINA SK  S4P 4W1
Tel: 306.787.4496 (in Regina)
Fax: 306.787.2208 

OHS District Offices