Worker Rights and Safety Course 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   How many health and safety jurisdictions are there in Canada?

   • A14: federal, 10 provinces and 3 territories
   • B13, one for each province and territory
   • C10, one for each province
   • D1, because one national law covers everyone
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   Answer: A. 14: federal, 10 provinces and 3 territories

   CCOHS says there are fourteen jurisdictions: one federal, ten provincial and three territorial.

2. Question 2 of 25

   About what share of Canada's workforce is covered by federal health and safety law?

   • AAbout 90%
   • BAbout 25%
   • CAbout 6%
   • DAbout 50%
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   Answer: C. About 6%

   CCOHS says about 6% of the Canadian workforce falls under federal OHS law. The rest are covered by provincial or territorial law.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which of these workplaces is federally regulated, so Part II of the Canada Labour Code applies?

   • AA small house-painting company
   • BA local hardware store
   • CA neighbourhood coffee shop
   • DA bank branch
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   Answer: D. A bank branch

   Banks are on the Government of Canada's list of federally regulated industries, along with airlines, railways that cross borders and postal services.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Under section 124 of the Canada Labour Code, what is the employer's general duty?

   • ATo protect the health and safety at work of every employee
   • BTo hire one full-time safety officer for every 10 workers
   • CTo report every hazard it finds to the local newspaper
   • DTo pay for every worker's safety boots and gloves each year
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   Answer: A. To protect the health and safety at work of every employee

   Section 124 says every employer shall ensure that the health and safety at work of every person they employ is protected.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What are the three basic health and safety rights of workers in Canada?

   • ATo know, to participate and to refuse unsafe work
   • BTo rest, to be paid overtime and to take holidays
   • CTo sue, to inspect and to fine their employer
   • DTo vote, to strike and to choose their own hours
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   Answer: A. To know, to participate and to refuse unsafe work

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

6. Question 6 of 25

   Being told about the hazards in your job and how to work safely is part of which right?

   • AThe right to know
   • BThe right to participate
   • CThe right to refuse
   • DThe right to privacy
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   Answer: A. The right to know

   The right to know means being informed about actual and potential hazards and how to work safely.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A guard joins the workplace health and safety committee. Which right is the guard using?

   • AThe right to refuse
   • BThe right to participate
   • CThe right to remain silent
   • DThe right to know
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   Answer: B. The right to participate

   The right to participate includes reporting hazards and serving on the health and safety committee or as a representative.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Under the Canada Labour Code, when must an employer set up a workplace health and safety committee?

   • AWhere 5 or more employees normally work
   • BOnly where 100 or more employees normally work
   • COnly when the workers ask in writing
   • DWhere 20 or more employees normally work
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   Answer: D. Where 20 or more employees normally work

   Section 135 requires a workplace committee at each workplace where twenty or more employees are normally employed.

9. Question 9 of 25

   A federally regulated workplace normally has 12 employees. What does the Canada Labour Code require?

   • AA full policy committee
   • BNothing at all, because it is too small
   • CA health and safety representative
   • DA government inspector on site
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   Answer: C. A health and safety representative

   Section 136 requires a health and safety representative where fewer than twenty employees are normally employed.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How are worker members of a joint health and safety committee usually chosen?

    • AThey are chosen by the provincial premier
    • BThey are appointed directly by the company's owner or president
    • CThey are elected or selected by workers or their union
    • DThey are picked by the local police
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    Answer: C. They are elected or selected by workers or their union

    CCOHS says worker representatives are elected or selected by the workers or their union, and the committee has a worker co-chair.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How does the Canada Labour Code define a "danger" for a work refusal?

    • AOnly hazards that have already injured someone at that workplace this year
    • BAny task that the worker finds boring, tiring or unpleasant to do
    • CAny work that has to be done outdoors after dark or in the rain
    • DA hazard that could be an imminent or serious threat to life or health
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    Answer: D. A hazard that could be an imminent or serious threat to life or health

    Section 122(1) defines danger as a hazard, condition or activity that could reasonably be expected to be an imminent or serious threat to life or health.

12. Question 12 of 25

    In Alberta and BC, what term describes the kind of risk that allows a worker to refuse work?

    • AA known nuisance
    • BAn undue hazard
    • CA minor risk
    • DA routine task
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    Answer: B. An undue hazard

    Alberta and BC use the term "undue hazard." Alberta describes it as a serious and immediate threat to health and safety.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You decide to refuse a task you believe is dangerous. What is your first step?

    • APost about the hazard on social media
    • BTell your supervisor or employer right away and explain why
    • CLeave the site and go home right away without telling anyone
    • DCall a lawyer before you speak to anyone
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    Answer: B. Tell your supervisor or employer right away and explain why

    Each law requires the worker to report the refusal promptly to the supervisor or employer, for example Canada Labour Code s. 128(6) and Ontario OHS Act s. 43(4).

14. Question 14 of 25

    Under the Canada Labour Code, how must the employer investigate a work refusal?

    • ARight away, in the presence of the employee
    • BBy phone, about a week after the refusal happened
    • CWithout the employee, to keep it private
    • DOnly if the employee pays a fee
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    Answer: A. Right away, in the presence of the employee

    Section 128(7.1) says the employer must investigate the matter immediately in the presence of the employee who reported it.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Under the Canada Labour Code, when may an employee NOT refuse work?

    • AWhen the supervisor is away from the site that day
    • BWhen the shift has already started
    • CWhen the danger is a normal condition of the job
    • DWhen the employee is a new hire
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    Answer: C. When the danger is a normal condition of the job

    Section 128(2) says an employee may not refuse if the danger is a normal condition of employment or if the refusal directly endangers another person.

16. Question 16 of 25

    In Ontario, what happens if a worker still believes the danger exists after the employer's investigation?

    • AA Ministry inspector is called to investigate
    • BThe worker must return to work at once
    • CThe union decides on its own and the case is closed
    • DThe worker is fired for refusing twice
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    Answer: A. A Ministry inspector is called to investigate

    Under Ontario's OHS Act s. 43, if the worker still has reasonable grounds, an inspector is notified, investigates and gives a written decision.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Which group has a limited right to refuse work under Ontario's OHS Act?

    • ADelivery drivers
    • BOffice clerks
    • CFirefighters
    • DRetail cashiers
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    Answer: C. Firefighters

    Section 43(2) limits the right to refuse for police officers, firefighters, correctional workers and some health care workers in certain situations.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What is a "reprisal" in health and safety law?

    • APunishing a worker for using their safety rights
    • BA safety award given to a careful worker
    • CA second inspection of the same hazard by the regulator
    • DA refund of a worker's union dues
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    Answer: A. Punishing a worker for using their safety rights

    A reprisal is any penalty or threat against a worker for using their rights, which section 147 of the Canada Labour Code and section 50 of Ontario's Act forbid.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Under section 147 of the Canada Labour Code, which action is an employer forbidden to take against an employee for acting under Part II?

    • AWriting down what they reported
    • BDemoting or suspending them
    • CFixing the hazard they reported
    • DThanking them for raising the concern
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    Answer: B. Demoting or suspending them

    Section 147 bans dismissing, suspending, laying off, demoting, penalizing or disciplining an employee, or threatening to, for acting under Part II.

20. Question 20 of 25

    In BC, during a work refusal, a worker is given other work for a while at no loss in pay. Is this a prohibited action?

    • AYes, any change of duties is a reprisal
    • BNo, temporary work at no loss in pay is allowed
    • CNo, but only if the work is outdoors
    • DYes, unless the union has agreed to it in writing first
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    Answer: B. No, temporary work at no loss in pay is allowed

    BC OHS Regulation s. 3.13(2) says temporary alternative work at no loss in pay, until the refusal is resolved, is not prohibited action.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which is a duty of workers under Canadian health and safety law?

    • APaying for the employer's safety inspections
    • BWriting the company's safety program
    • CChoosing the members of the company's management team
    • DReporting hazards and incidents to a supervisor
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Reporting hazards and incidents to a supervisor

    Workers must report hazards and incidents, follow safe procedures and use required safety gear, as in Canada Labour Code s. 126.

22. Question 22 of 25

    In Ontario, which regulation requires basic health and safety awareness training for workers and supervisors?

    • AOntario Regulation 851
    • BOntario Regulation 297/13
    • COntario Regulation 213/91
    • DOntario Regulation 67/93
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Ontario Regulation 297/13

    Ontario Regulation 297/13 under the OHS Act requires basic health and safety awareness training. Worker Health and Safety Awareness in Four Steps meets it.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Under BC's OHS Regulation, when must a young or new worker get a workplace orientation?

    • AAfter their first month
    • BAt the end of their first year
    • CBefore they begin work
    • DOnly if they ask for one
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    Answer: C. Before they begin work

    Section 3.23 says orientation and training specific to the workplace must be given before a young or new worker begins work.

24. Question 24 of 25

    You twist your ankle on a patrol. According to WorkSafeBC, when should you tell your employer?

    • AAt your next performance review
    • BOnly if you miss more than a week of work
    • CAs soon as it is safe to do so
    • DOnly after a doctor confirms it is serious
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    Answer: C. As soon as it is safe to do so

    WorkSafeBC tells injured workers to tell their employer as soon as it is safe to do so and to report to WorkSafeBC right away.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Under the workers' compensation system described by WCB Manitoba, what do workers give up in exchange for guaranteed benefits?

    • AThe right to sue their employer
    • BTheir vacation days for that year
    • CTheir right to join a union
    • DThe right to refuse unsafe work
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The right to sue their employer

    Workers' compensation is no-fault and paid for by employers. Workers give up the right to sue their employer, and employers are protected from lawsuits.

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