British Columbia Carpenter Apprenticeship Program

Transcription

1 British Columbia Carpenter Apprenticeship Program Level 2 Line A Competency A-5 Use Safety Committees

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3 SAFETY ADVISORY Please note that it is always the responsibility of any person using these materials to inform him/herself about the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation pertaining to his/her work. The references to WorkSafeBC safety regulations contained within these materials do not / may not reflect the most recent Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (the current Standards and Regulation in BC can be obtained on the following website:

4 Competency A-5 Use Safety Committees Contents Objectives...2 Learning Task 1: Describe the Operation of a Health and Safety Committee...3 Learning Task 1: Self-Test BC CARPENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM LEVEL 2 1

5 Competency A-5 Use Safety Committees Effective safety committees include management and worker representatives. They promote safe work processes and practices. Objectives When you have completed the Learning Tasks in this Competency, you will be able to: describe the purpose of the safety committee describe the makeup and duties of a safety committee describe the role of the WorkSafeBC in the operations of the safety committee describe the purpose of tool box meeting Competencies Written: Describe Safety Committees You will be tested on your knowledge of the makeup and role of a safety committee. 2 BC CARPENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM LEVEL 2

6 Competency A-5 Learning Task 1 Learning Task 1 Describe the Operation of a Health and Safety Committee Many companies and industrial operations find that a joint health and safety committee is an excellent means of consultation within their organization. Safety committees are helpful in assigning group and individual responsibilities, in promoting positive attitudes towards safety, and in improving techniques for accident prevention. Purpose An occupational health and safety committee is made up of worker and employer representatives who join forces to identify and resolve health and safety problems in the workplace. The committee is responsible for promoting a safe and healthy workplace. The committee recommends actions to improve the effectiveness of the occupational health and safety (OHS) program, and promote compliance with OHS regulations. The committee will also deal with complaints from workers, conduct safety inspections, and assist with investigations. As the committee is only an advisory body, it has no decision making authority. It can only make recommendations to the employer. It must not try to bypass the normal employer channels of supervision and control. Makeup and Size The requirements for occupational health and safety committees are listed in Part 3 Division 4 of the Workers Compensation Act. The structure of the occupational health and safety program is outlined in Sections of the WorkSafeBC Occupational Health & Safety Regulation. Size can influence the effectiveness of a committee. The minimum number of committee members is four. In a small organization, the committee might include all of the workers. In a large company, or a company with multiple workplaces, more members are needed to represent the diversity of the company s work. An alternative to one large committee would be to have sub-committees, from the various worksites, that report to a main safety committee. BC CARPENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM LEVEL 2 3

7 Learning Task 1 Competency A-5 Factors to be considered in deciding committee size are: efficiency number of employees degree of danger in the workplace number of places of employment number of unions and worker groups need to represent different shifts Small Operations In any operation where the work force numbers fewer than 20, the employer is permitted to set up and maintain a program that is not as formal as that required in a large organization. Instead of a committee, a worker health and safety representative is all that is required. To the extent that it is practical, the representative has the same duties and functions as a joint committee. Meetings The committee must meet at least once per month to discuss health and safety matters. Meetings must focus on matters concerning the correction of unsafe conditions and practices and the maintenance of cooperative interest in the safety of the work force. The employer must keep a record of each meeting and include a list of attendees and minutes from the meetings. Minutes are a brief synopsis of the subjects that were discussed. Role of Committee Members The members of the committee should monitor the company s health and safety procedures on a day-to-day basis. Recommendations can be made to workers and employers to correct any identified hazards. The members of the committee are in a good position to promote cooperation throughout the operation. Committee members have authority to inspect the workplace for unsafe or hazardous conditions, to examine serious accidents or near misses, and to investigate safety concerns from workers. Selection of Members The committee should have wide representation. It should encourage enthusiasm and fresh ideas. It is important to select members who can work cooperatively to solve problems. 4 BC CARPENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM LEVEL 2

8 Competency A-5 Learning Task 1 Committee members must be open to the opinions of others and exhibit safe work practices themselves. The committee consists of both employers and workers. At least 50% of the members must be workers. Management Representatives The members of safety committees will become frustrated and lose enthusiasm if employer representatives on the committee do not have the authority to follow up on the members wishes. So it s vital that committee members who represent the employer have sufficient authority to put into effect the recommendations agreed upon at meetings. Worker Representatives Worker representatives must be elected in accordance with the WorkSafeBC regulations. Members elected according to a union constitution must be aware that the functions of the union and the committee may be different. Members should decide whether alternates will or will not be allowed to attend meetings. The election of alternates should be in the same manner as members and their names posted along with those of regular members, in a place where workers will see them. Co-Chairpersons The health and safety committee elects two co-chairpersons from among its membership. It is usual to have one of these offices filled by a management representative and the other by an employee representative. The chairperson must have leadership qualities and the confidence of the members. The chairperson s major responsibilities are to control meetings, maintain an unbiased viewpoint, arrange agendas and review previous minutes and material. The employer usually provides typing and clerical services. Inspections and Investigations WorkSafeBC health and safety officers and committee members make routine safety inspections of the workplace. They also investigate accidents. All activities should be documented in writing. BC CARPENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM LEVEL 2 5

9 Learning Task 1 Competency A-5 Inspections During WorkSafeBC inspections, a worker member of the safety committee accompanies the WorkSafeBC inspector. Members should make informal inspection part of their daily routine and conduct more formal inspections on a regular basis. Personal protective equipment appropriate to the work area should be worn and a written record should be made while conducting the inspection. Any deficiency found should immediately be reported to supervisors or the employer. If done verbally, it should also be followed up in writing. Results of the inspections are discussed at the monthly committee meetings. Investigations All accidents should be investigated regardless of whether there was worker injury or not. A log of the accidents should be kept and appropriate changes in work procedures made. An incident report must be filled out for accidents and near misses. The report should include the following: witnesses statements description of incident (who, where, when, what, why) analysis (immediate cause, underlying cause) prevention (corrective measures) Accidents requiring medical attention from a doctor or hospital must be reported to WorkSafeBC, as must near misses that could have resulted in a serious injury. Fatalities must be immediately reported to WorkSafeBC. WorkSafeBC safety officers conduct official investigations of serious accidents and a worker member of the committee should accompany the WorkSafeBC officer. Worker Concerns The committee should prompt employees to direct their health and safety concerns to their supervisor. Employees should report safety concerns not handled to the workers satisfaction to a committee member. The member can work with the supervisor and the committee, if needed, to resolve the concern. The safety committee must keep workers informed about the progress of their concern. 6 BC CARPENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM LEVEL 2

10 Competency A-5 Learning Task 1 Refusal to Work If a worker feels that the work process is unsafe for themselves or someone else, they are not obligated to use or partake in the process. They should direct their refusal to the supervisor. If the supervisor does not agree with the complaint, the worker can take the concern to the safety committee. Refusal to work because of a safety issue is a serious matter and the safety committee must investigate the situation. Difficult situations may require the help of a WorkSafeBC Safety Officer. Committee Meetings and Minutes The purpose of a safety committee meeting is to provide positive participation and cooperation in the management of health and safety at the workplace. Meetings should take place monthly. The location of the meeting should be in a place convenient for all members to attend. Activities that generate items for consideration are worker safety education, inspections, investigations of accidents, workplace hazards, investigation of worker complaints and consultations with technical experts. Agenda The chairperson, with secretarial help, prepares an agenda for the meeting and distributes it to the members a few days prior to the meeting. The agenda is essential to the success of the meeting. It should be distributed to all workers before the meeting. It is a step by step plan for what will be discussed. The agenda should include: the time and place of the meeting the names of the members of the committee topics to be discussed an allowance for new business the minutes of the last meeting Productive meetings are a result of creating an effective agenda and sticking to it. BC CARPENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM LEVEL 2 7

11 Learning Task 1 Competency A-5 Meetings Once called to order, meetings normally start by approving the agenda and any proposed additions to it. Minutes from the last meeting are approved as is or as amended. A follow up on business arising from the last meeting is next, then the meeting moves on to outside delegations and education. Next follows reports, inspections and investigations. At this point, the meeting covers new business. Lastly, there are correspondence and information items, and then the meeting adjourns. Minutes Minutes should be brief and factual. They provide a permanent historical record of proceedings. They also inform the employer and others about committee decisions and recommended actions. The minutes should include who attended the meeting, time the meeting started and ended, if any one arrived late or left early, and a discussion for each agenda item. The minutes are sent to employer and sometimes the union. The three most recent minutes are posted for the workers. Toolbox Meetings A toolbox meeting is a brief informal safety talk held each day at the beginning of a shift, or only once per week. It may be conducted by the safety committee, safety officer or a supervisor. Topics are usually based on safety issues related to the type of work that will be preformed that day or week. The topics may also include recently observed safety violations and areas where improvement is needed. The meetings usually last about five minutes and are designed to educate and remind workers of the importance of being safe. Normally the entire workforce attends these meetings. For the meetings to be effective, communication at the meetings must be both from top down and bottom up, with everyone involved. Toolbox meetings are the primary tool for communication between the safety committee and the workers on the site. The committee gives the workers safe work procedures and information about materials or processes on the site that could be hazardous. The workers are given the opportunity to raise issues they may have about anything related to safety on the site. It is crucial for the safety committee to solicit this input; it will bring to light problems that the committee may not have been aware of, and it gives the workers an opportunity to participate in enhancing safety for everyone. The WorkSafeBC.ca website has a series of toolbox meeting guides by topic for those seeking a structure to follow for their toolbox meetings. 8 BC CARPENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM LEVEL 2

12 Competency A-5 Learning Task 1 Education and Training Committee members gain valuable knowledge and understanding through the exchange of information at meetings. When appropriate, set aside part of both safety and toolbox meetings for education. Invite members, suppliers and professionals from outside organizations to discuss equipment and materials that relate to safety. Send safety committee members to seminars and ask them to report what they have learned. Invite management to address the committee. Additionally, there is a need to educate new members in the work of the committee and in meeting procedures. To educate other workers, it is important for safety committee members to set an example by working safely. Now complete Learning Task 1 Self-Test. BC CARPENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM LEVEL 2 9

13 Learning Task 1 Competency A-5 Learning Task 1 Self-Test 1. State the purposes of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee. 2. Describe the makeup of a safety committee. 3. List three qualities of an effective committee member. 4. Describe the role of the safety committee during WorkSafeBC safety inspections. 5. What is the procedure that a worker should follow if they refuse to work because of a safety issue? 6. What information do meeting agendas provide to committee members? 7. What is the most effective forum for communication that the Safety Committee can use to reach workers? 10 BC CARPENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM LEVEL 2