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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

FAQ's relating to Maritime Occupational Health and Safety

1. What does "federal jurisdiction" mean?

Federal jurisdiction covers those works, undertakings or businesses that are within the legislative authority of the Parliament of Canada. It also includes any work deemed to be for the common good of two or more provinces and outside the exclusive authority of provincial legislatures. Federal jurisdiction defined under the Canada Labour Code covers specific industries and their infrastructures.

2. In what types of industries are there employers under federal jurisdiction?

The federal jurisdiction has been divided into 16 major industrial sectors: air transport; banking; bridges and tunnels; broadcasting; communications; federal Crown corporations; federal Public Service; feed, flour and seed mills; grain elevators; longshoring; energy and mining; pipelines; postal contractors; rail transport; interprovincial road transport; and water transport.

3. What do the terms "disabling injury" and "minor injury" mean?

These terms are defined in the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, made under Part II of the Canada Labour Code. The definitions also appear on the back of the employer’s annual report form.

"Disabling injury" means an employment injury or an occupational disease that

  1. prevents an employee from reporting for work or from effectively performing all the duties connected with the employee’s regular work on any day subsequent to the day on which the injury or disease occurred, whether or not that subsequent day is a working day for that employee,
  2. results in the loss by an employee of a body member or part thereof or in the complete loss of the usefulness of a body member or part thereof, or
  3. results in the permanent impairment of a body function of an employee.

"Minor injury" means an employment injury or an occupational disease for which medical treatment is provided and excludes a disabling injury. 

Date modified:
2011-01-19