First-Time Supervisor Fundamentals Course: Health and safety duties of supervisors

1. Question 1 of 16

   Which is one of a supervisor's duties under Alberta's OHS Act?

   • AApprove or deny workers' compensation claims for injured staff
   • BInspect other companies' work sites near their own site
   • CSet the minimum wage for the workers they supervise
   • DAdvise workers of all known or reasonably foreseeable hazards
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   Answer: D. Advise workers of all known or reasonably foreseeable hazards

   Alberta's Act requires supervisors to advise workers of all known or reasonably foreseeable hazards in their work area.

2. Question 2 of 16

   Which are the three basic rights of workers under Canadian OHS law?

   • ATo know, to participate and to refuse unsafe work
   • BTo free meals, free parking and free uniforms
   • CTo choose shifts, pick a supervisor and refuse overtime
   • DTo know, to set wages and to sue the supervisor
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   Answer: A. To know, to participate and to refuse unsafe work

   CCOHS names the right to know, the right to participate and the right to refuse unsafe work.

3. Question 3 of 16

   A guard tells you a stairwell light at the site has been out for three nights. What should you do?

   • AWait to see if anyone gets hurt before reporting the light
   • BWarn the guards and report the unsafe condition to your employer
   • CTell the guard that the lights are the client's problem, not yours
   • DOpen the panel and fix the wiring yourself during the shift
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   Answer: B. Warn the guards and report the unsafe condition to your employer

   Alberta supervisors must advise workers of hazards and report unsafe conditions to the employer, then follow up.

4. Question 4 of 16

   A kitchen worker will not wear the cut-resistant glove required at the slicer. What should you do?

   • ALet them work without it, since PPE is the worker's own choice
   • BStop the task until the glove is worn, and explain why
   • CWear the glove yourself instead, so at least one person is protected
   • DNote it down for their review, but say nothing for now
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   Answer: B. Stop the task until the glove is worn, and explain why

   Supervisors must make sure workers use the required protective equipment.

5. Question 5 of 16

   According to CCOHS, which way of controlling a hazard is the most effective?

   • ARotating workers between jobs
   • BEliminating the hazard
   • CWarning signs and training
   • DPersonal protective equipment
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   Answer: B. Eliminating the hazard

   Elimination removes the hazard completely, so CCOHS ranks it first in the hierarchy of controls.

6. Question 6 of 16

   In the hierarchy of controls, which control does CCOHS rank as the least effective?

   • AInstalling a guardrail along an open edge
   • BPersonal protective equipment, such as gloves
   • CRemoving the hazard from the workplace completely
   • DUsing a safer cleaning product in place of a harsh one
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   Answer: B. Personal protective equipment, such as gloves

   PPE is ranked last because it only limits harm if it is worn and used correctly.

7. Question 7 of 16

   Installing a guardrail along the edge of a loading dock is an example of which type of control?

   • APersonal protective equipment
   • BAn administrative control
   • CAn engineering control
   • DSubstitution
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   Answer: C. An engineering control

   Engineering controls change the equipment or workplace to control the hazard at its source.

8. Question 8 of 16

   What should a new worker's safety orientation include?

   • AOnly the work schedule for the first month on the job
   • BOnly where the staff room, lockers and washrooms are
   • CNothing, if the worker has done the same job somewhere else
   • DTheir rights, job hazards, emergency steps and how to report
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   Answer: D. Their rights, job hazards, emergency steps and how to report

   CCOHS's orientation checklist covers rights, hazards, emergency procedures, PPE and how to report hazards and injuries.

9. Question 9 of 16

   Why should both the worker and the supervisor sign the orientation checklist?

   • ATo show the worker gave up the right to refuse unsafe work
   • BTo make the worker pay back the cost of the training if they quit
   • CTo keep a record that the orientation took place
   • DTo end the worker's probation period on the first day
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   Answer: C. To keep a record that the orientation took place

   CCOHS's checklist has worker and supervisor signatures for record keeping. Workers never sign away their rights.

10. Question 10 of 16

    A retail worker refuses to use a ladder they believe is broken. What should happen first?

    • AThe worker tells the supervisor, who looks into the concern
    • BThe supervisor disciplines the worker for refusing a normal task
    • CThe worker calls a government inspector before telling anyone at work
    • DAnother worker is sent up the ladder without being told about it
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    Answer: A. The worker tells the supervisor, who looks into the concern

    In a work refusal, the worker reports to the employer or supervisor first, and the supervisor investigates.

11. Question 11 of 16

    While a work refusal is unresolved and waiting for an inspector, can another worker be asked to do the task?

    • AYes, but only a new worker who has not been trained yet
    • BOnly after being told about the refusal and the reasons
    • COnly if the first worker agrees in writing to the change
    • DYes, without telling them anything about the refusal
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    Answer: B. Only after being told about the refusal and the reasons

    CCOHS explains that another worker may be assigned only after being told of the first refusal and why. Details vary by jurisdiction.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Can a supervisor cut a worker's shifts because the worker refused unsafe work?

    • AYes, if it is done quietly over the next few schedules
    • BNo, punishing a worker for using OHS rights is illegal
    • CYes, if the store was very busy at the time of the refusal
    • DYes, if the supervisor disagreed with the reasons for the refusal
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    Answer: B. No, punishing a worker for using OHS rights is illegal

    It is against the law to punish or threaten a worker for exercising their OHS rights.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Which situation does CCOHS list as raising the risk of workplace violence?

    • AWorking daytime hours in a busy office with a large team
    • BAttending a classroom training session with co-workers
    • CHandling cash while working alone late at night
    • DWorking at a staffed, well-lit reception desk with cameras
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    Answer: C. Handling cash while working alone late at night

    CCOHS lists handling money, working alone and late-night hours among the risk factors for violence.

14. Question 14 of 16

    What does due diligence mean in health and safety?

    • ATaking all reasonable precautions, shown by actions before an incident
    • BBuying more insurance to cover the cost of any injuries
    • CHaving a lawyer on staff to deal with safety charges
    • DFixing safety problems quickly, but only after someone is injured
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    Answer: A. Taking all reasonable precautions, shown by actions before an incident

    CCOHS explains that due diligence means reasonable precautions to prevent harm, shown by actions taken before an incident, not after.

15. Question 15 of 16

    Which record best helps show due diligence?

    • AA customer's comment card that praises the clean store
    • BWorkers' social media posts about how safe they feel at work
    • CNotes of each safety talk with topic, feedback and attendance
    • DA blank inspection form kept in the supervisor's office
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    Answer: C. Notes of each safety talk with topic, feedback and attendance

    CCOHS says written records prove due diligence, including supervisor notes of safety meetings, inspections, training and incident reports.

16. Question 16 of 16

    A housekeeper slips on a wet floor and hurts their wrist. What comes first?

    • AMopping up the spill and saying nothing to the manager
    • BInterviewing the witnesses while their memories are fresh
    • CFirst aid or medical care, and keeping others away from the spill
    • DFilling out the incident form before anything else happens
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    Answer: C. First aid or medical care, and keeping others away from the spill

    CCOHS puts care for the injured person and a safe scene first. Reports and interviews come after.

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