Safety in the Workplace

Professionalism in the Work Environment Presented by Geoffrey White Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator August 3, 2004

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Occupational Health & Safety Legislation - Overview

Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regs  Act  Responsibilities: Employers: Supervisors; Employees  Identify and control Hazards  Joint Health & Safety Committees  Worker Rights  Right to refuse unsafe work; Right to know hazards; Right to participate  Regulations  (Industrial; Construction; Health Care); WHMIS; Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents + ……..

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Occupational Health & Safety Legislation - Overview cont’d

Workplace Safety & Insurance Act (WSIA)  Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB)  Reporting Accidents  Entitlement to WSIB Benefits  Return to work requirements/process  First Aid Regulation Questions????

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OHS Definitions

Occupational Health & Safety Act

Provides legislative framework for worker protection  Outlines general workplace requirements, responsibilities and fines (employers; supervisors; employees)  Provides coverage for workplaces in Ontario  Penalties/Fines for contraventions  Anyone - up to $25, 000 and/or 12 months in jail  Corporations up to $500, 000 4

OHS Definitions

Regulations

Applied under the

Act

 Specific requirements for procedures or equipment; chemicals (WHMIS); designated substances;First Aid; workplace conditions; protective equipment etc… 5

Definitions Continued

Employer

 Anyone who hires one or more workers.

 Includes – Contractors, Subcontractors

Supervisor

 Person who has authority over a worker or is in charge of workplace  Typically have hiring/firing power

Worker

 Anyone who performs work for pay.

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Definitions Continued

Ministry of Labour Inspector

 Enforce the Act and Regulations  Investigate complaints  Investigate critical injuries (places life in jeopardy; unconsciousness; substantial blood loss; fractured arm or leg; amputation or arm/hand/leg/foot); burns to major portion of body; loss of sight in an eye)

Competent Person

 A person who is qualified (knowledge,training or experience) to organize and perform work safely  Familiar with legislative requirements  Act & Regulations  Knowledgeable about hazards in workplace 7

Employer Responsibilities Continued

Refer to sec 25 of the Act for complete list

Employers required to

:  Make sure proper equipment is used and in good condition  Protective devices, equipment and materials as prescribed  Provide instruction, training and supervision to protect H&S of worker 

Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker



The big hammer

 Make sure first aid is given promptly 8

Supervisor Responsibilities

Refer to sec 27 of the Act

Supervisor must

:  Ensure workers work in compliance with the Act and Regs  Ensure workers use or wear equipment, protective devices or clothing required by employer 

Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker

 Provide written instruction where prescribed.

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Employee Responsibilities

 Know your rights and responsibilities under the OHS Act and Regulations  Use/wear any protective equipment required  E.g. hearing protection; protective gloves; safety glasses  Know proper procedures for any equipment to be used or process to be performed 10

Employee Responsibilities Cont’d

 Ask for help if you don’t know how to use a particular piece of equipment or perform a particular task.

 Report any unsafe conditions or broken/defective equipment to your supervisor  Report accidents immediately  Know emergency evacuation procedures  Know where first aid stations are located 11

Employee Responsibilities Cont’d

 Know where the nearest fire extinguisher is located in your area and how to use one  Only operate equipment if authorized and trained.

 Know the safety resources available to you:   Supervisor Joint Health & Safety Committee    OHS Coordinator/Department Ministry of Labour WSIB 12

Joint Health & Safety Committees

 Required in workplaces with twenty or more workers  At least 2 members for < 50 employees; at least 4 members for 50 or more employees  Mgt. and labour representatives (at least 50% must be non-mgt.)  Certified members (Mgt and Labour) – certified by WSIB (special training requirements) 13

Joint Health & Safety Committees Cont’d

Typically have one JHSC per work location but may apply to Ministry for a multi-site committee  Advisory committee  Identify hazards and make recommendations to improve safety  Recommend practices, procedures and programs  Post member names and work locations 14

Joint Health & Safety Committees Cont’d

 Workers selected by workers or trade unions  Meet at least x 3 months  Inspections   Physically inspect workplace at least monthly Large workplaces  Develop a schedule to cover the entire workplace at least 1/yr.

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Employee Rights

Workers have 3 basic rights

: 

The Right to Know

About hazards in the workplace 

The Right Refuse

Anyone (exceptions include – police; ambulance; fire or where refusal would directly endanger someone) can refuse to perform work if they believe they are endangered. 

The Right to Participate

Investigations, Inspections 16

Right to Know – Workplace Hazards

Obviously to work safely, you must know what hazards you may be exposed to:

Manually handling materials

 Use proper lifting techniques        Use 2 hands to grab heavy materials Keep the load close to your body Keep you back straight Lift with your legs….not your back!

Avoid awkward reaches Ask for help with very heavy and/or large items Safe Lifting Procedure available 17

Office Hazards

Ergonomics

 Esp. VDT workstations  Equipment layout  Reach distances, heights. work surfaces  Lighting, noise  Lifting

Slips, trips and falls

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Office Hazards

Chemicals

     Pipe systems/processes Cleaning agents Toners Blueprint machines Flammable/combustible liquids

Indoor air quality

  Temperature, RH, stale stuffy air; CO, CO 2 Mould 19

Workplace Hazards Continued

WHMIS Regulation applies in respect to hazardous products used, stored and handled at a workplace.

This is a far reaching regulation affecting virtually all employers  Glues/adhesives        Toners Oils/Fuels Cleaning agents Paints Lab operations Compressed gases/aerosols Retail outlets 20

Workplace Hazards Continued

Violence in the workplace

 Immediately report incidents to your supervisor.

Tripping Hazards

 Extension cords or other wires  Filing Cabinets   Beware of open drawers (you may bang into or trip over them.

Make sure cabinets are not top-heavy – low level drawers should be loaded first – with heavy items for stability.

 Only open one drawer at a time (safety feature).

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Workplace Hazards Continued

Tripping Hazards Cont’d

 Materials stored on floor  Chairs, boxes or other items  Wet/Slippery Surfaces  Wet floors – clean spills promptly or report to housekeeping

Pushing/Pulling rolling stock (e.g. Carts)

 Pushing is usually more safe than pulling  Use body weight to push   Can see where you’re going Better control 22

Workplace Hazards Continued

Cuts

 Paper cuts (sheet paper; boxes; packaging)  Tools  Paper cutter (table-top unit) - keep free hand clear of blade  Small utility knives    Avoid pulling knife toward yourself – cut away from your body Keep hands clear of blade Make sure blade is sharp  Sharp edges on furniture/equipment/building surfaces 23

Workplace Hazards Continued

Electrical

 Do not use electrical equipment in wet conditions.  Caution around water/sinks  Make sure electrical cords are in good condition  Do not overload circuits  CSA approved equipment only.

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Workplace Hazards Continued

Video Display Terminals (abbr. VDTs)

Ergonomic considerations

 Avoid continued use for extended periods to allow your body (wrist/arms/eyes/back) to rest   Take short breaks (5 min/hr). “Break” refers to doing something (another task perhaps) that uses other muscles/actions - It doesn’t necessarily have to be a total break.

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Workplace Hazards Continued

The key to VDT comfort is

adjustability:

Chair

: Allow feet to sit flat on floor; armrests should be just below elbow height

Monitor

: Top of screen should be just below eye level (when sitting on a chair)

Keyboard

:At elbow height. Do not rest arms/wrists on

Mouse

: edge.

Close to body – avoid awkward reaches. Place on same surface as keyboard.

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Workplace Hazards Continued

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Fire Safety

Review the fire safety procedure at your work location. Know the alarm system – Single or Two-Stage  Single Stage (one alarm only)  Evacuate when alarm sounds  2-Stage (two different alarms)  First alarm (intermittent) means----be prepared to evacuate, wait for instructions  Second alarm (constant) - Evacuate  Know your escape routes 28

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

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Overview

Ontario WHMIS Regulation (O.Reg 860) applies to:

 Employers and workers in respect of controlled products used, stored and handled at a workplace  Far reaching regulation that applies to virtually all workplaces

Three components of WHMIS:

  

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Labels Training

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Roles and Responsibilities

Suppliers

Must evaluate/determine whether their products are classified as a “controlled” product.

 Criteria under the Hazardous Products Act – very technical  There are several exemptions to WHMIS  Consumer products  Explosives (has its own Act and Regulations)  Tobacco Products  Food, Drugs and Cosmetics (Food and Drug Act/Regs)  Radiation (has its own specific Act and Regulations)  Wood or products made of wood  Manufactured articles  Hazardous waste 31

Suppliers Cont’d

 Must ensure products are

classified

properly (governed by Hazardous Products Act and Regulations)  Must ensure products are properly

labeled

 Must provide

material safety data sheets

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Suppliers Cont’d

Several Classifications for Controlled Products  Compressed Gases  Flammable and Combustible Material  Oxidizing Materials  Poisonous and Infections Materials    Immediate and Serious Other Toxic Effects Biohazardous Infectious  Corrosive  Dangerously Reactive 33

Employers

 Must ensure products are properly labeled  Must ensure material safety data sheets are available  Must ensure workers are educated 34

Worker Education

Workers who work with or in proximity to a controlled product must receive training.

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WHMIS SYMBOLS

Symbol format is regulated 36

Class A Compressed Gases

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Class B Flammable and Combustible Material

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Class C Oxidizing Materials

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Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Materials Class D1 Immediately and Serious Toxic Effects

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Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Materials Class D2 - Other Toxic Effects

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Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Materials Class D3 - Biohazardous and Infectious

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Class E Corrosives

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Class F Dangerously Reactive Materials

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Material Safety Data Sheets

 Material Safety Data Sheets are required for all hazardous substances.

 Valid for 3 years  They contain technical product- specific information for hazardous products.

 At least 9 sections of information required 45

MSDS Cont’d

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) Product Information (Product Name; Supplier, Manufacturer) Hazardous Ingredients (concentration/toxicity) Physical Data (solid/liquid/gas….) Fire or Explosion Hazard (conditions for ignition/explosion) Reactivity Data (stability/ other chemicals..) Toxicological Properties (short and long-term effects.) Preventive Measures (ventilation, ppe; emergency measures) First Aid (treatment for overexposed individuals - all routes of exposure) Preparation Information (Name, date and contact number(s) for person or group who prepared the msds) 46

WHMIS Labels

 Product Name  Hazard Symbols  Refer to Material Safety Data Sheet

Labels are required on essentially all containers of controlled product.

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WHMIS Labels Cont’d

 Cross hatched border  Hazard Symbols  Risk Phrase  Precautionary Measures  Supplier name 48

Workers Right To Refuse Unsafe Work

 One of the basic worker rights under the OHS Act is the

Right to Refuse Unsafe Work.

The process is straightforward and is illustrated in the following flow chart:  Worker must remain in a safe place during the investigation but can be assigned other work until refusal resolved  Workers cannot be penalized for exercising their right to refuse.

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Work Refusal Procedure

Worker Identifies unsafe act or condition Immediately notify your supervisor and Safety representative Supervisor, Safety Rep and worker investigate Issue Resolved Parties agree No Second Stage Refusal: Ministry of Labour Contacted Yes Worker returns to work 50

Stage 2 Work Refusal

Stage 2 Work Refusal: Ministry of Labour Inspector Investigates with Supervisor, Safety Representative and Employee MOL Inspector determines (writing) whether condition is safe Safe Yes No Employer must make change(s) Worker Returns to work 51

WSIA

Workplace Safety & Insurance Act

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WSIA: First Aid Regulation

Regulation applies to all employers covered by WSIB.

 Requires all employers to have first aid equipment, facilities and trained personnel  Employees required to seek first aid in event of an accident 53

Reporting an Accident

If you have an accident.

 Report all accidents to your supervisor  Get first aid or medical aid immediately  Medical aid accidents must be reported to the WSIB – Employer Accident Report (Form 7) for benefits 54

WSIB – Accident Claims

In event of an accident requiring medical attention:  Employer must notify the WSIB (72 hrs).

 Form 7 (Report of Accident)   Employer must work with employee (and medical professionals) to safely return them to work  May require modified duties or other workplace accommodations Duty to accommodate 55

Adjudication and Benefits

Claims are reviewed by WSIB to determine workplace relationship.

 If allowed, worker entitled to benefits  Health care  Loss of earnings (85% net income) if applicable.

 Non-economic loss (ca. pain and suffering)  Future economic loss (offset future loss of earnings if applicable).

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Adjudication and Benefits

Claims (and benefits) can be denied by the WSIB if:  Claim is not supported by facts  Late notification (employee to employer)  Too long to seek medical attention.

 Lack of cooperation  Lack of documentation  Condition not considered related to workplace activities.

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Adjudication and Benefits

Claims and/or decisions can be challenged  By the employer  By the employee 58

Safety Resources

Ministry of Ontario Regulations (All Ministries) www.gov.on.ca

    Publications Ontario Legislation Online E-Laws Acts and Regulations of Ontario   Consolidated Law (Statutes and associated Regulations) Alphabetical Index (look under O – Occupational H&S to see list of relevant Regulations – Asbestos; WHMIS etc..)  Ministry of Labour Website   Acts/Regulations Guides   JHSCS Workplace Hazards 59

Safety Resources

 Employment Standards Act      Minimum age Working hours Vacation entitlement Emergency leave Termination  Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS) www.ccohs.ca

 National Institute Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH): www.cdc.gov/niosh  Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) www.wsib.on.ca

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Questions????

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