Procedures

Background 

In accordance with its stated values and the requirements of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Palliser School Division is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and learning environment for employees, students and others present at its work sites. Employees and staff with supervisory roles are expected to model safe work practices and behaviours to contribute to a culture of safety awareness.

Purpose

The safety of all students and staff of Palliser School Division, as well as visitors to Palliser School Division, is of utmost importance. It is, therefore, an expectation that all health and safety is implemented within everyday operations. Employees at every level are responsible and accountable for the Division’s health and safety performance and will provide leadership for the health and safety program. Employees will be familiar with the requirements of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation and the Division health and safety program as it relates to their work processes.

Scope 

This Administrative Procedure applies to all worksites, Palliser School Division employees, other workers at the worksite, and other persons in the vicinity of the worksite.

Definitions

Worksite means a location where a worker is or is likely to be, engaged in any occupation and includes any vehicle or mobile equipment used by a worker in an occupation.

Procedures

1. All employees are responsible to:
1. Work safely and take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety and that of all others present at the worksite.
2. Be aware of and comply with the OHS Act, the Regulations, Code and follow Palliser School Division policies, administrative procedures, health and safety program, codes of practices, and safe work procedures.
3. Refrain from causing or participating in harassment or violence.
4. Know the hazards of their job, refuse unsafe work and participate in training, meetings, hazard assessments, inspections and investigations when required.
5. Wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment as required.
6. Report to his/her supervisor safety concerns, unsafe conditions, work-related injuries, illnesses, and near misses.
2. Supervisors (Principals, Vice Principals, Managers, Directors, Coordinators, Supervisors, Head Custodians):
1. Ensure the division health and safety program is implemented and monitored at their school or within their department.
2. Ensure employees under their supervision work in a manner and in accordance with procedures and measures from the OHS Act, Regulations and Code, and Palliser School Division policies, administrative procedures, health and safety program, codes of practices, and safe work procedures.
3. Designate an OHS coordinator for their respective school/site.
4. Include health and safety as a standing agenda item at each of their regular staff/department meetings. Document health and safety items in the meeting minutes.
5. Ensure they are competent to supervise employees under their supervision.
6. Take the necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of employees under their supervision.
7. Advise employees under their supervision of all known hazards to health and safety in the area where the employee is performing work.
8. Ensure hazard assessments are implemented for locations, types of work and activities within their area of responsibility and are reviewed annually or when procedures/equipment changes.
9. Ensure employees under their supervision use all hazard controls, and properly use or wear personal protective equipment designated or provided by the employer or required to be used by the OHS Act Regulations and Code.
10. Ensure that employees under their supervision are not subjected to or participate in harassment or violence at the worksite.
11. Ensure general and site-specific health and safety orientation is completed for all employees including new and transferred employees. 
12. Report safety concerns, unsafe conditions, work-related injuries, illnesses, and near misses.
13. Ensure site emergency plans are implemented (AP 131 - Emergency Planning).
14. Ensure appropriate first aid supplies and staff are trained to address immediate illness or injury at the worksite.
15. Ensure a site visitor protocol and orientation is implemented.
16. Implement a site or department-specific protocol for staff that work alone.
17. Implement management practices to control/monitor the purchase, inventory, use, storage, transport, and disposal of chemicals and hazardous waste.
3. The School/Site OHS Coordinator will:
1. Assist the Supervisor with OHS implementation at the site level including hazard assessments, site-based orientations and training, planned inspections, incident reporting and investigations, and first aid certification and supplies. 
2. Receive concerns about health and safety and make recommendations to the Supervisor at the site.
3. Liaison with the Secretary-Treasurer or designate regarding the implementation and monitoring of the division health and safety program at the site and communicate issues impacting division-wide health and safety.
4. The Secretary-Treasurer: 
1. Develop and maintain an occupational health and safety program required in Section 37 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
2. Develop and maintain an emergency response plan required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code (AP 131 - Emergency Planning).
3. Facilitate the annual review of the occupational health and safety program by the Superintendent and Deputy/ Associate Superintendents. 
4. Solicit feedback and revises associated forms biannually.
5. Support the occupational health and safety program through the Palliser School Division website, web-based applications and other technological means.
6. In conjunction with the Associate Superintendent, Human Resources, develop an annual OHS training plan and processes, including new employee orientations and job-specific training.
7. Develop and implement hazard assessment processes. 
8. Develop and review codes of practices, safe work procedures and provide onsite support for school administrators and supervisors.
5. The Superintendent or designate:
1. Is aware of and complies with the Division’s responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations, and Code.
2. Is accountable and responsible for the Division’s health and safety program.
3. Develop health and safety policy and administrative procedures.
4. Set goals and objectives to continually improve health and safety management and ensure it is integrated into Division operations and planning.
5. Provide supervisors with the direction, training, support, and resources necessary to fulfill their health and safety roles and responsibilities.
6. Ensure workers are supervised by supervisors who are competent and are aware of their responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code.
7. Ensure that employees are aware of their rights and duties under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code.
8. Ensure that all employees are adequately trained in all matters necessary to protect their health and safety. Annually approve the OHS training plan.
9. Ensure that employees are not subjected to or participate in harassment or violence at the worksite.
10. Ensure health and safety concerns raised are resolved in a timely manner.
11. Communicate to employees at least annually the Division’s commitment to health and safety, and set a positive example for health and safety.
12. Require the annual reporting of the Division’s safety performance (e.g. compliance, training, orientation, incidents, WCB rates, etc.). 
13. Consult and cooperate with the joint worksite health and safety committees to exchange information and resolve health and safety concerns.

References

Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations and Code