Do employees have the right to refuse work if they believe that they are likely to be exposed to SARS in their workplaces?
• The Occupational Health and Safety Act gives employees the right to refuse work where they believe their health and safety is likely to be endangered because of (among other reasons) the physical condition of the workplace or workstation. • This is a limited right to refuse unsafe work for some workers in certain occupations, such as firefighters, police, correctional officers, those involved in the operation of a hospital (including doctors, nurses, maintenance and administrative staff). • If a worker refuses to work, the employer is expected to follow the work refusal process under the Act. The steps in this process are explained in The Right to Refuse Work and must involve the workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee or a health and safety representative, in workplaces where there is no joint committee. • If, after this stage, an employer feels it is safe to return to work, but the worker does not agree, the employer or the worker should call the Ministry of Labour to investiga
