2024’s Top 10 Contraventions in Service & Hospitality
Service Hospitality’s mission is to build our members’ capacity to prevent workplace injuries by ensuring they identify hazards in their workplace and comply with relevant health and safety legislation, protecting them from legal action. Below are the TOP TEN contraventions in our industries during 2024 in Saskatchewan.
1. Establishment of Committees – Saskatchewan Employment Act 3-22
Every place of employment where 10 or more workers of the same employer are employed is required to have an Occupational Health Committee (OHC). This committee must have at least two members, representing both the employer and employees, and meet at least once every three months.
WHY? This OHC plays a crucial role in workplace safety, acting as an additional resource to ensure the health and safety of all staff.
Resources: Occupational Health and Safety Committees
Training: Your Safety Committee & the Law
2. Fire Safety Plans – OHS Regulation 25-2
Employers are responsible for ensuring they have taken all reasonably practicable steps to prevent the outbreak of a fire and to provide effective means to protect workers from any fire that may occur. This must be documented in a written fire safety plan that provides for the safety of all workers in the event of a fire.
WHY? A fire safety plan can mean the difference between a minor incident and a catastrophic event.
Resources: Emergency Preparedness and Response
Training: Emergency Response Planning
3. Duty of Employer to Provide Information – OHS Regulation 3-4
An employer must make readily available for reference by workers a copy of the Saskatchewan Employment Act and the Occupational Health & Safety Regulations. To fulfill this requirement, ensure you have a physical copy of both publications in a location accessible to all staff, such as a staff room. Or, have a PDF copy on the desktop of a staff-accessible computer. If you have a copy, but it’s locked away in a manager’s desk somewhere, you’re at risk for this contravention.
WHY? Knowledge empowers workers to exercise their right to a safe workplace.
Resources: PDF of The Saskatchewan Employment Act and The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
Training: Health and Safety Leadership
4. Supervision of Work – OHS Regulation 3-6
In the workplace, employers shall ensure that ALL work at the place of employment is sufficiently and competently supervised. Supervisors should have sufficient knowledge of their legal responsibilities as they relate to organizational health and safety.
WHY? In almost all workplace incidents involving a worker, the supervisor is held liable and sometimes charged with “insufficient supervision.” Supervisors are liable for the work of the workers they oversee and for implementing and upholding the employer’s policies and procedures.
Resources: Management Leadership and Organizational Commitment
Training: Health and Safety Leadership
5. Harassment Policy – OHS Regulation 3-25
On the top 10 list since 2016, Harassment contraventions continue to be handed out in the community service and hospitality industries. Every workplace must have a Harassment Policy posted in an easily accessible location. Employers must actively work to prevent and address harassment in the workplace.
WHY? Policies alone do not prevent harassment, but they do lay the foundation for accountability, awareness and training, and give all employees the capability to recognize and act.
Resources: Harassment Prevention
Training: Conflict Prevention & De-Escalation in Community Services/Hospitality
6. Eye Flushing Equipment – OHS Regulation 21-12
Employers must provide workers with proper eye-flushing equipment if they are exposed to hazardous substances, such as chemicals or hot fryer oil. Ensure stations are properly equipped and solutions are not expired.
WHY? Immediate access to eye-flushing equipment can prevent severe eye injuries.
Resources: Hazardous Materials
Training: Kitchen Safety
7. Frequency of Meetings – OHS Regulation 4-4
The OHC is required to hold its first meeting within two weeks after being established. Three subsequent meetings must be held at intervals not exceeding one month. After that, hold regular meetings at intervals not exceeding three months.
WHY? This OHC helps review safety policies and procedures, playing a crucial role in workplace inspections, incident investigations, and hazard identification. This cannot occur effectively without regular meetings.
Resources: Occupational Health and Safety Committees
Training: Your Safety Committee & the Law
8. Violence Policy – OHS Regulation 3-26 and Duty Regarding Policy Statement on Violence and Prevention Plan – Saskatchewan Employment Act 3-21
Employers are responsible for developing and enforcing a clear Violence Policy and Prevention Plan to mitigate workplace violence risks. This policy must be effectively implemented and communicated to all employees.
WHY? A Violence Policy and Prevention Plan helps protect employees from workplace violence and ensures they know how to respond to incidents.
Resources: Violence Prevention
Training: Conflict Prevention & De-Escalation in Community Services/Hospitality
9. First Aid Register – OHS Regulation 5-8
Most workplaces have first aid kits, but did you know your first aid kit must also contain a first aid register? This register must be updated each time a supply item is removed from the kit, with a description detailing the first aid treatment administered to a worker. The OHC should inspect this register at regular intervals.
WHY? By tracking the first aid items used, you gain insight into what incidents are occurring and where gaps may exist within your safety management system.
Resources: Emergency Preparedness and Response
Training: Emergency Response Planning
10. Training of Representatives, Committee Members – OHS Regulation 4-9
Committees play a crucial role in helping employers ensure a healthy and safe workplace. To do this effectively, OHC Co-chairs are required to receive training regarding the duties and functions of a committee. As a best practice, it is recommended that all OHC members receive training.
WHY? This OHC would not be effective without understanding OH&S legislation, their roles, and responsibilities, how to perform proactive inspections, and how to identify root causes of incidents and implement effective controls.
Resources: Occupational Health and Safety Committees
Training: Your Safety Committee & the Law, OHC Reboot Energize and Improve Your Committee
Staying informed about common contraventions is the first step toward a safer workplace. By addressing these issues proactively, employers not only protect their teams but also build a culture of safety and compliance. Let’s continue working together to ensure every worker goes home safe, every day.
