• Home
  • About the Department
    • Branches and Divisions
      • Occupational Health and Safety Branch

Occupational Health and Safety Branch

The Occupational Health and Safety Branch has one division:

• Occupational Health and Safety Division

Logo

The Occupational Health and Safety Branch has its own distinct logo that is identifiable with occupational health and safety in this province. The overall shape is that of a yield symbol, reminding people to take caution when in the workplace. The orange color also is representative of the cautious and careful attitude necessary to remain healthy and safe while on the job.

The blended pyramid inside represents the tripartite approach with each of the three sides representing government, employers and labour. The blending colors of the pyramid-type triangle represents the necessity of the three parties to join together in working to attain the single goal of an accident-free workplace, which is depicted by a single orange triangle in the center of the triangle.

The line across the top of the pyramid rests on the center point and has the words "Working Safely Together" This line acts as a balancing point that signifies all three sides working together to achieve a perfect balance for a safe working environment.

Responsibilities

The primary goal of the Occupational Health and Safety Branch is accident and illness prevention.

The Occupational Health and Safety Branch is responsible for:

• Developing and enforcing occupational health and safety legislation
• Investigating workplace accidents and incidents
• Conducting compliance inspections of provincially regulated workplaces
• Completing hygiene assessments of various physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic agents in the workplace
• Evaluating and inspecting radiation control measures in workplaces

The mandate is to maintain and improve health and safety standards in the workplace through the administration of:

• The OHS Act and Regulations
• The Mines Safety of Workers Regulations
• The Radiation Health and Safety Act and Regulations
• Asbestos Abatement Regulations
• First Aid
• WHMIS

Clients

The OHS Branch regulates occupational health and safety on all provincial workplaces in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. To date there are approximately 16,000 Employers employing about 220,000 workers in the province.

Contact