Memo to RCC members regarding HSR at small shops

RCC has recently been made aware of an Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) ruling that could have a beneficial effect for some Ontario members regarding health and safety requirements.

Below is a RCC Member memo from George Beckingham, Health & Safety Specialist with Purdy’s Chocolates, updating members on an Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) order at one of Purdy’s stores, which instructed that a health and safety representative (HSR) must be named, despite the store having fewer than five employees on site.

An OLRB ruling on June 8, 2022 clarified that no HSR representative is required because “the number of workers at the workplace does not regularly exceed five.” This ruling is a sensible interpretation that RCC supports and wants to members to be aware of.