In heavy construction, every project comes with tight timelines, complex work sites and, at times, significant, but manageable, risks. Saskatchewan’s recent record-low injury rates show how far the province has come, but serious injuries and fatalities remain a challenge across the province.
As a result, WorkSafe Saskatchewan wants all workers to be aware of their rights on the job. That includes the right to work in a safe environment.
In 2024, the province recorded its lowest total injury rate in history at 3.91 injuries per 100 workers, down from 3.95 per 100 workers in 2023. Since the WorkSafe Saskatchewan partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety was established in 2002, the province’s total injury rate has dropped by more than 65 per cent. The time-loss injury rate in 2024 also reached its lowest level in Saskatchewan’s history at 1.72 per 100 workers, down from 1.78 per 100 workers in 2023.
This data reflects the collective efforts of workers, employers, safety associations and safety leaders across the province. However, serious injuries remain high, averaging about 2,400 cases per year. They represent 11 to 15 per cent of all injuries, but account for approximately 80 per cent of compensation costs. Specific to the construction industry, from 2010 to 2024:
- More than 51 per cent of fatalities were from occupational diseases in the construction industry.
- 95 per cent of occupational disease fatalities in the construction industry were from exposure to asbestos.
- 89 per cent of the public was not aware of the risk of asbestos exposure during home renovation work.
Learn more about commercial construction safety statistics on WorkSafe Saskatchewan’s website at worksafesask.ca/commercial-construction-stats. All workers in Saskatchewan are covered by three important rights that are intended to keep them safe on the job. Those rights are protected under the Saskatchewan Employment Act.
The right to know
If you are employed in Saskatchewan, you have the right to know about any safety hazards in your workplace. A hazard is anything that might cause an injury or illness. This knowledge is important in protecting yourself and your co-workers. As a worker, you have the right to receive the training, information and supervision needed to do your job safely. Your employer should provide you with instructions on how to stay safe before you start your job and before work begins on a new project.
Safety information, including training and instructions, can be given online, in writing or in person. The information and training may come from a supervisor, co-worker or someone outside of your workplace, but your employer must pay for all training that is part of your job. Clear communication is also a key component of the right to know. Your employer needs to give you the information you require to do your job safely in a way that you can understand. Ask questions whenever any safety instructions aren’t clear.
The right to participate
Each worker has the opportunity and freedom to get involved in their workplace’s health and safety activities. You have the right to share your concerns and ideas about how to make your workplace safer. If you encounter an unsafe situation on the job, this right gives you the opportunity to help rectify the situation, preventing injuries to you and your co-workers. There are several ways for workers to exercise their right to participate, including:
- Reporting your concerns to your supervisor or manager about any health and safety issues that could cause harm to you or your co-workers.
- Making suggestions to your supervisor or occupational health committee about how to make your workplace safer.
- Joining your occupational health committee if your workplace requires one.
- Acting as an occupational health and safety representative for your workplace if given the opportunity.
The right to refuse
Every workplace has hazards, most of which are not likely to cause serious injuries or fatalities. This right applies to the hazards that are considered unusually dangerous to yourself or others. An unusual danger or hazard could include:
- A danger that would normally stop work, such as operating a forklift with a flat tire.
- Something that is not normal for the job, like repairing a roof in bad weather with dangerous winds.
- A situation you haven’t been properly trained for, or where you don’t have the right equipment or experience to do the work safely. For example, cleaning windows on a tall building without any training or fall protection equipment.
The right to refuse is only used when the first two rights have failed to protect your health and safety in the workplace. In other words, exercising your right to refuse is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly; it should be used as a last resort when other measures have been unsuccessful.
However, you should also not be afraid to speak up when you believe your work is unusually dangerous. If you or the people around you are at risk, you can say no. You absolutely cannot be disciplined or fired for exercising your right to refuse, as the right to refuse is protected under the Saskatchewan Employment Act. There are several steps to take when opting to refuse unsafe work, in this order:
- Stop performing the task. Tell your supervisor what you think is unusually dangerous about the task.
- Consult with your workplace’s occupational health committee if you and your supervisor can’t reach a solution.
- If the matter is still not resolved, contact the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety’s Occupational Health and Safety Division at 1-800-567-7233. An occupational health officer will provide their decision in writing to you and your employer.
- If you don’t agree with the occupational health officer’s decision, you have a right to appeal.
Each year in Saskatchewan, approximately 21,000 workers are injured on the job. Working together, we can make Saskatchewan a safer place to work.
For more information on the three rights, including videos and other resources for workers and employers, visit the WorkSafe Saskatchewan website at worksafesask.ca.
