H.M OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Transcription

1 REPORT TO GOVERNANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE H.M OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11) Created, Draft First Tabling Review May 1, 2014 May 27, 2014 Click here to enter a date. Corrado Maltese, Coordinator, Occupational Health and Safety Department Rory McGuckin, Superintendent of Human Resources / Labour Relations Loretta Notten, Superintendent of Education RECOMMENDATION REPORT Vision At Toronto Catholic we transform the world through witness, faith, innovation and action. Mission: The Toronto Catholic District School Board is an inclusive learning community rooted in the love of Christ. We educate students to grow in grace and knowledge and to lead lives of faith, hope and charity. G. Poole Associate Director of Academic Affairs A. Sangiorgio Associate Director of Planning and Facilities S. Pessione Associate Director of Business Services, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Angela Gauthier Director of Education Page 89 of 248 Page 1 of 8

2 A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report aligns Board Policy H.M. 17, Occupational Health and Safety, with the Meta Policy Template. Board approved major revisions to H.M. 17 in April Since 2009, the Board s Occupational Health and Safety Department has reviewed this Policy annually in consultation with the Board s three Joint Health and Safety Committees representing the various employee groups. No changes are recommended to this Policy at this time. The Policy meets the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. B. PURPOSE 1. Sections 25(2)(j) and 25(2)(k) of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act in Ontario requires that the Employer: shall prepare and review at least annually a written occupational health and safety policy and develop and maintain a program to implement that policy the employer shall post at a conspicuous location in the workplace a copy of the occupational health and safety policy. 2. H.M. 17 is a Board policy that requires alignment with the Meta Policy Template. C. BACKGROUND 1. January 21, 2014 At the Governance and Policy Committee meeting, the report regarding Policy Revision Status Update designated H.M. 17, Occupational Health and Safety as a High Priority Policy that requires review and alignment with the Meta Policy Template. 2. H.M. 17 received major revisions and was unanimously approved by the Board in April 2009 to reflect the ongoing changes in Ontario s health and safety legislation. 3. In June 2010, Bill 168 made significant amendments to the OHS Act requiring employers to develop a comprehensive policy and program to address workplace violence and harassment towards workers from other co-workers, students and the general public. The amendments dealing with workplace violence are addressed through Board Policy H.M. 37 Workplace Violence. H.M. 37 is the subject of a separate report that is being tabled at the Governance and Policy Committee. 4. Since April 2009, the Board s Occupational Health and Safety Department has reviewed H.M. 17 in consultation with the Board s three Joint Health and Safety Committees representing elementary teachers, secondary teachers and support staff. No further revisions are recommended to this Policy at this time. Page 90 of 248 Page 2 of 8

3 D. VISION VISION PRINCIPLES GOALS The TCDSB is committed in providing a safe and welcoming learning and working environment for students, staff and visitors. Living our Values Fostering Student Achievement and Well Being Inspiring and Motivating Employees To prevent the human suffering, service disruption, property damage and financial costs associated with workplace injuries and occupational disease, thereby protecting the Board s most precious assets: its students and staff. E. ACTION PLAN EXPLANATION OF OPTIONS / SCENARIOS a) Senior staff will continue to focus its attention on student safety in the science and technological education programs at secondary schools through monthly inspections and other specilized safety inspections throughout the school year. b) Senior staff will continue its commitment towards emergency preparedness and business continuity in responding to inclement weather, flooding, power outages, and communicable disease outbreak in schools. c) Senior Management, Principals, Vice-Principals, Department Heads, Managers and Supervisors are receiving mandatory health and safety training for Supervisors through an on-line e-learning module created by the Ministry of Labour. d) All custodians and maintenance staff received worker s health and safety training during March break All staff including teachers and support staff will take the worker s version of the online e-learning health and safety module created by the Ministry of Labour starting in the 2014/2015 school year. e) All schools are being inspected in their entirety on a monthly basis. An additional three full-time workers (2 teachers and 1 support worker) have been released as of May 1, 2014 bringing the staffing compliment to seven (7) to allow for full, thorough inspections of each school. Page 91 of 248 Page 3 of 8

4 F. RESOURCE & COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS Resources Curriculum / Professional Learning Capital / Infrastructure Human Resources Costs/Funding Source Legal / Policy Compliance Ongoing health and safety training is being provided to new staff at orientation sessions organized by the Human Resources Department and delivered by the OHS Department. Custodians and maintenance staff (electricians, plumbers, carpenters and maintenance mechanics) are being trained annually during March break. Not applicable The OHS Department has three (3) full-time equivalents who manage the various elements of the Board s health and safety program Costs are primarily absorbed by the Facilities Department, OHS Department, Human Resources and Staff Development This policy complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act G. METRICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY 1. The Ministry of Labour through its provincial offence officers enforce the OHS Act in Ontario workplaces, including schools. The TCDSB as the Employer and its Supervisors have never been fined or convicted as a result of a major health and safety violation. Several school boards have been fined in the past. Maximum fine in Ontario for a contravention of the OHS Act is $500, with the possibility of jail time for senior company officials and Supervisors. 2. Staff will continue to work to ensure that workplace hazards are identified, evaluated and the appropriate controls are put in place to eliminate workplace injuries and occupational illness. This Policy will be reviewed annually by staff in consultation with the various employee groups represented through the Board s three Joint Health and Safety Committees. H. STAFF RECOMMENDATION That the Board approve H.M Occupational Health and Safety in the format outlined in the Meta Policy Template. (Appendix A). Page 92 of 248 Page 4 of 8

5 POLICY SECTION: HUMAN RESOURCES APPENDIX A SUB-SECTION: POLICY NAME: MISCELANNEOUS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Date Approved: April 29, 2009 Cross Reference: POLICY NO: H.M. 17 Date of Next Review: annually Dates of Amendments: May 27, 2014 Occupational Health and Safety Act H.M. 37, Workplace Violence Purpose This Policy reinforces the Board s commitment in maintaining an occupational health and safety program that helps to reduce workplace injuries and illness to staff, students and visitors. This Policy is created to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Scope and Responsibility This Policy applies to all Board employees, contractors, summer students, co-op students, visitors and volunteers. The Employer, through the Director of Education with the assistance of senior staff and the Occupational Health and Safety Department, is responsible for this Policy. Alignment with MYSP: Living Our Values Fostering Student Achievement and Well Being Inspiring and Motivating Employees Financial Impact: Maximum fine for a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act is $500, with the possibility of jail time. There are Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) costs associated with workplace injuries and illness to staff and legal costs associated with student and third part injuries and illness. Legal Impact: This Policy meets the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Page 93 of 248 Page 5 of 8

6 POLICY SECTION: SUB-SECTION: POLICY NAME: HUMAN RESOURCES MISCELLANEOUS OCCUAPTIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY NO: H.M. 17 Policy 1. The Toronto Catholic District School Board s mission is to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment that is an example of Christian community. As such, the TCDSB considers the health and safety of all employees, students, and visitors to be of paramount importance and shares concerns related to the personal suffering, property damage and financial loss associated with workplace injuries and occupational diseases. 2. The TCDSB is committed to continuous improvement towards zero workplace injuries and occupational illness through effective administration, supervision, education and training. The TCDSB shall continually demonstrate by attitude and example that health and safety is an integral part of every academic, operational and core business function. 3. The Internal Responsibility System (IRS) is the cornerstone of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. The Board and its employees share responsibility for workplace health and safety. Every board employee regardless of job title has direct responsibility and accountability for safety as an essential part of his or her job. 4. Employees, contractors, constructors, summer students, co-op students, visitors and volunteers shall comply with the OHS Act and all applicable legislation, regulations, TCDSB safety procedures and generally accepted safety standards. 5. The TCDSB s vision is that all employees will become safety leaders by promoting the IRS, by demonstrating through attitude and behaviour that safety is part of the job and by working in partnership with their immediate supervisor in recognizing, evaluating and controlling workplace hazards and risks. Regulations: 1. The Director of Education shall maintain an occupational health and safety program that complies with all applicable health and safety legal requirements and meets Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard, CAN/CSA Z : Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Page 94 of 248 Page 6 of 8

7 POLICY SECTION: SUB-SECTION: POLICY NAME: HUMAN RESOURCES MISCELLANEOUS OCCUAPTIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY NO: H.M The Occupational Health and Safety Department and the Staff Development Department shall provide appropriate resources to facilitate the training of all appropriate employees with respect to their rights, duties and responsibilities towards safety. 3. The Planning and Facilities Department shall ensure that all applicable health and safety legislation as well as TCDSB safety procedures are implemented into the planning, construction, and maintenance of buildings and facilities. 4. Supervisors shall place health and safety as a standing agenda item in all staff meetings. 5. Supervisors shall follow-up on health and safety concerns. 6. Supervisors shall ensure that staff under their jurisdiction complies with the provisions of the OHS Act and TCDSB safety procedures. 7. Workers shall follow safe work procedures and report health and safety hazards to their immediate supervisor. 8. Workers shall report immediately to their supervisor all workplace-related injuries and occupational illness. 9. The TCDSB shall maintain Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC) as per the requirements outlined in the OHS Act or by order from the Ministry of Labour. JHSC s shall: a. Foster and promote the IRS by functioning effectively. b. Meet and inspect the workplace regularly as per the duties outlined in the OHS Act and the Committee s Terms of Reference. c. Report to and advise the Employer through written recommendations on health and safety matters. d. Submit an annual report to the Director of Education outlining objectives, goals, activities and accomplishments. Page 95 of 248 Page 7 of 8

8 POLICY SECTION: SUB-SECTION: POLICY NAME: HUMAN RESOURCES MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY NO: H.M All applicable meeting minutes, inspection reports and other health and safety reports and information pertaining to a specific school shall be sent to the principal, who then shall share the information with their workers and the Catholic School Advisory Council. 11. If the Catholic School Advisory Council so desires, a school may be inspected once per year by the Catholic School Advisory Council executive or equivalent representative group of members of the local community and the principal at a mutually agreed time. Evaluation and Metrics: This Policy shall be reviewed annually by staff in consultation with the Board s three Joint Health and Safety Committees. This will ensure that this Policy remains current, is responsive to the health and safety obligations of the Board and reflects Ontario s health and safety legislation. Page 96 of 248 Page 8 of 8