News

For 2024 Occupational Health and Safety Week, the APTS is drawing attention to the central role you can play in identifying, eliminating, and controlling risks in your work environment. 

Did you know that the health and social services sector generates 45% of injuries recognized by the CNESST (Labour Standards, Pay Equity and Occupational Health and Safety Commission) for the entire province, even though the sector accounts for less than 10% of workplaces in Québec?[¹] It’s something to think about.

This demonstrates that there are many risks in your work environment, which shouldn’t be underestimated: work overload, physical or verbal violence, repetitive movements causing pain, non-ergonomic work environments, etc. The list is long.

You are on the front lines of these risks and therefore play an essential role. Your employer does too. Identifying risks is the first step to improving OHS. And the best way to be sure you work in a healthy, safe environment is to combine the employer’s commitment with employee participation.

Your participation in prevention is important because you are the expert in your work environment and in the best position to identify risks. This is a great reason to report, but reporting is also a right: make your voice heard! Particularly given that the new legal framework ensures your report won’t slip through the cracks because of a failure to follow up.

Any dangerous or risk situation reported must be rigorously followed up on by the employer. Recourse is available if your employer fails to act. Contact your local union team if needed.

FIND OUT MORE 

• Interactive factsheet Play it safe!  
• Play it safe! Poster (PDF)
• Factsheet Don’t jeopardize your health: make a report

Note:

1. According to 2002 data from the CNESST (Labour Standards, Pay Equity and Occupational Health and Safety Commission).