Workplace Safety in Quebec
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Canadian workers have three fundamental safety rights:
- The right to know about workplace hazards.
- The right to participate in health and safety decisions.
- The right to refuse dangerous work (section 128) if you have reasonable cause to believe the work is a danger to you or another worker.
Employers must keep the workplace safe. Workplaces with 20 or more employees are required to have a joint health and safety committee. Your employer cannot punish you for exercising any of your safety rights.
When does it apply?
- All federally regulated workplaces.
- Exception: The right to refuse dangerous work does not apply if the danger is a normal condition of your job (for example, a firefighter facing fire).
What to Do If Your Canadian Workplace Is Unsafe
- Report the danger to your supervisor right away.
- If it's not fixed, escalate to the joint health and safety committee.
- Call the Labour Program at 1-800-641-4049 to report unsafe conditions.
- If you're punished for raising a safety concern, file a reprisal complaint within 90 days under section 147.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't walk off the job without reporting the hazard first — follow the proper refusal process.
- Don't assume someone else will report it. If you see a danger, speak up.
- Don't sign safety waivers — you cannot waive your legal right to a safe workplace.
How Quebec differs from federal law
Workplace health and safety in Quebec is governed by the Act respecting occupational health and safety (Loi sur la sante et la securite du travail, CQLR c S-2.1) and enforced by the CNESST.
- Every worker in Quebec has the right to refuse dangerous work if they have reasonable grounds to believe a task poses a danger to their health, safety, or physical well-being, or to that of another person (section 12 of the Act).
- Workers have a right to know about hazards in their workplace. Employers must inform workers about risks and provide proper training.
- A pregnant or breastfeeding worker has the right to be reassigned to other duties if her work poses a risk to her health or the health of her child. If reassignment is not possible, she may be granted a preventive withdrawal with income replacement through the CNESST (section 40 of the Act).
- Workplaces with 20 or more employees must establish a joint health and safety committee with worker representatives.
- The CNESST administers both prevention and workers' compensation in Quebec — an injured worker does not need to sue their employer but instead files a claim directly with the CNESST under the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases (CQLR c A-3.001).
Additional Steps in Quebec
Report unsafe conditions to the CNESST at 1-844-838-0808 or online. If you are injured at work, notify your employer immediately and file a workers' compensation claim with the CNESST within 6 months of the accident. For a preventive withdrawal during pregnancy, obtain a medical certificate and submit it to the CNESST.
Relevant Law: Act respecting occupational health and safety (CQLR c S-2.1); Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases (CQLR c A-3.001)
Common Questions
When does workplace safety apply?
All federally regulated workplaces.Exception: The right to refuse dangerous work does not apply if the danger is a normal condition of your job (for example, a firefighter facing fire).
What should I do if my workplace in Canada is dangerous or unsafe?
Report the danger to your supervisor right away.If it's not fixed, escalate to the joint health and safety committee.Call the Labour Program at 1-800-641-4049 to report unsafe conditions.If you're punished for raising a safety concern, file a reprisal complaint within 90 days under section 147.
What mistakes should I avoid with workplace safety?
Don't walk off the job without reporting the hazard first — follow the proper refusal process.Don't assume someone else will report it. If you see a danger, speak up.Don't sign safety waivers — you cannot waive your legal right to a safe workplace.
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