The Province of Manitoba has introduced two new legislative changes that impact workplace health and safety: The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act and The Public Health Amendment Act. Here's what you need to know:
1. The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act
Manitoba has updated its workplace legislation to better protect workers, with a focus on psychological safety and medical surveillance. Key changes include:
Psychological Safety is Now a Legal Obligation
Employers must now actively support the psychological well-being of workers. This includes taking steps to prevent mental harm and creating a workplace culture that prioritizes psychological safety alongside physical health.Expanded Authority for Medical Surveillance
The Chief Occupational Medical Officer (COMO) now has the power to require employers to implement medical surveillance programs. This will apply in situations where workers may have been overexposed to harmful substances such as, but not limited to, asbestos or lead.
2. The Public Health Amendment Act
This amendment enhances the province’s ability to respond to serious public health threats. Notable changes include:
Detainment Powers for Non-Compliance
Public health authorities can now detain individuals in cases involving virulent and highly communicable diseases or contaminants. This only applies when a person refuses to follow a communicable disease order and poses a risk to public health.
What This Means for Employers
Employers in Manitoba should review their workplace health and safety programs to ensure compliance with the new requirements, particularly around psychological safety and exposure risk management. If your operations involve hazardous materials or high-risk environments, medical surveillance protocols may now be mandatory.
What is Medical Surveillance?
Medical surveillance means ongoing monitoring of workers’ health through tests and exams designed to detect potential health issues linked to exposures at work.
Blood and urine tests (e.g., to detect lead or mercury exposures)
Lung-function tests (spirometry)
Hearing tests (audiometry)
Chest X‑rays or other imaging
The goal is early identification of work-related conditions due to exposure to workplace hazards before they become serious and to protect workers' health over time
Have questions about medical surveillance?
DriverCheck can support employers with medical surveillance testing, for more information on how we can help, please contact Sales@DriverCheck.ca or check out information on our website: