Overview
Safety is a hot-button issue. It makes non-union workplaces vulnerable to union organizing and it is often at the forefront of the agenda in unionized workplaces. Although pushing the importance of health and safety is a shared responsibility, and there is tremendous scope for employee input, sensible employers should take the lead. If there is an accident, it is ultimately the employer and members of the management team who will bear the brunt of the consequences.
At the end of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe what you must do in the event of an accident
- Determine what you should do in the event of a near miss
- Focus on preparation and meaningful routines to reduce the potential for workplace safety incidents
- Appreciate the liabilities for individuals and organizations
- Recognize the criminalization of health and safety
- Describe a 12-step plan to create safer workplaces
Author Overview
Jamie Knight is a partner at Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP, a firm specializing in the representation of management in all areas of Labour Relations and Employment law. Jamie’s practice includes acting as spokesperson at collective bargaining negotiations. Jamie has handled hundreds of arbitration cases and he frequently guides employers through the process of responding to union organizing campaigns.
Jamie also represents both employers and senior executives who require advice at the outset of employment, during employment, or particularly at the end of employment. This includes dealing with fiduciary issues and covenants designed to restrict future competition by a departing employee. Jamie is a teacher and trainer, and advocates sound human resources practices in both union and non-union workplaces. His clients are in industries as diverse as manufacturing, technology, financial services, entertainment and construction. Jamie is an experienced litigator, in the courts, at arbitration, and before administrative tribunals, including federal and provincial labour boards. Jamie is a 1983 graduate of The University of Toronto Law School. He spent 3 undergraduate years at Le College Militaire Royal De St. Jean, Quebec, and for several years Jamie was a commissioned officer in Canada’s Naval Reserve.
Jamie is a member of the Labour Relations, Administrative Law and Workers’ Compensation Sections of the Ontario Bar Association. He is an active participant in HRPAO and has spent the past few years serving on the Complaints and Investigation Committee.
Jamie has authored or co-authored over a dozen publications for use by human resource professionals and lawyers on labour relations, health and safety, human rights, and wrongful dismissal. He has taught supervisors and Human Resources professionals at the University of Guelph for 15 years, as part of the HRPAO certification program. Jamie is a frequent speaker at conferences for lawyers, executives, managers and Human Resources professionals.
