The Kahnawà:ke Department of Occupational Safety and Health is responsible for worker safety. Our mission is to promote workplace safety and health throughout our territorial jurisdiction by enforcing standards and providing training, education and compliance assistance.

Employers are responsible to provide their employees with a workplace that is safe and which is free of recognized hazards. Preventing accidents and occupational diseases can be effectively implemented by employers having a comprehensive safety and health program. An effective occupational safety and health program includes the following four elements:

  • Management commitment and employee involvement.
  • Worksite analysis.
  • Hazard prevention and control.
  • Safety and health training.

Employees also have a responsibility to comply with occupational safety and health standards, rules, and regulations which apply to his or her own actions. Employees are responsible to follow all safety programs and policies of their employer.

Costs

The costs of workplace injuries and illnesses include direct and indirect costs. Workplace injuries and illnesses have a major impact on an employer’s bottom line, which includes medical expenses, workers’ compensation payments, and legal costs. Indirect costs include training replacement employees, accident investigation, lost productivity, corrective measures, property and damaged equipment and costs associated with lower employee morale and others.

Please refer to the Contact page for more information:
Lance Goodleaf – Chief Safety Officer
Joel Jacobs – Occupational Safety, Health and Accident Insurance Manager
Iokennoron McComber – KLO Inspector

What is a Safety Plan?

A safety plan, also referred to as a safety program, is a formal procedure documented to be followed by all members of the workplace. Safety plans or programs have 2 primary purposes;

  1. They are intended to protect employees by reducing workplace hazards and,
  2. To assist and be followed by employees in the workplace during emergencies.

The type of hazards present or likely to be present will determine what the contents of the safety plan will be. Every safety plan is different although they may have a number of similarities depending on the industry and/or workplace. For example, a safety plan for a construction company will differ from a safety plan for employees who work in an office environment and safety plan for a bakery would be different from a safety plan for a healthcare facility.

All safety plans or programs however, have at least these basic four key elements;

  1. Management Commitment and Employee Involvement
  2. Workplace Analysis
  3. Hazard Prevention and Control
  4. Safety and Health Training

 In general, safety plans should be focused on the tasks that performed in your specific workplace.

Contact is: Wahienhawi Horn, A &O Support Assistant

                    Kahnawake Labor Office

450-632-9595 ext:61000

Safety Training Courses

Safety training is an important part of employers maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. Promoting employee involvement in the company safety programs is essential to targeting specific hazards as the employees have direct knowledge of the hazards that are present or, created while performing their work. Certain safety standards have specific training requirements written into the standard that employers are obligated to provide for employees prior to them performing specific tasks. The training offered through the Kahnawà:ke department of occupational safety and health does not replace training requirements of the employer.

Mandatory to access construction sites for the purpose of employment

  • 30 Hour Construction Industry

Non-mandatory safety training

  • 30 Hour General Industry

Currently optional but recommended every 5 Yrs

  • 10 Hour Construction Industry Refresher (recommended every 5 yrs)
  • 10 Hour General Industry Refresher (recommended every 5 yrs)

Hazard Specific Courses currently offered

  • (GHS) Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
  • Fall Protection
  • Fall Hazard Awareness
  • Confined Space
  • Working over or Near Water
  • Traffic Control Person (Flagging)

Note: Other specific training courses will be continuously added to the current listings.

Request a Free Consultation

On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services. Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice for compliance with the standards, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs.

Please refer to the Contact page for more information:
 Wahienhawi Horn, KLO Operational and Technical Assistant

File a Safety and Health Complaint

Safety and health complaints may be filed by telephone, fax, email or in person using the Notice of Alleged Safety or Health Hazards Form.

Please refer to the Contact page for more information:
 Wahienhawi Horn, KLO Operational and Technical Assistant