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Occupational Health and Safety Policy

Policy Statement

As an employer, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment.

Application

This policy applies to all departments and their employees. Bargaining unit employees should also consult their respective collective agreements.

Responsibilities

Government departments will work with their Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Committees and employees in carrying out a collective responsibility for occupational health and safety.

Departments

It is the responsibility of Departments to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. This will include the following responsibilities:

  • Ensure that an OH&S program is developed, implemented, evaluated, and available to all employees.

  • Ensure that the information, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of employees is provided;

  • Ensure that workplaces and the necessary equipment, systems and tools that are safe for the discharge of employees’ duties, are provided and maintained;

  • Ensure that supervisors and employees are aware of hazards in the workplace;

  • Ensure that all hazards are evaluated according to risk, and that controls are put in place to minimize risk;

  • Ensure that an OH&S Committee or Worker Health and Safety Representative is in place as required by the OH&S Act and Regulations and that members are appropriately trained;

  • Cooperate with employees, supervisors and managers, and the joint OH&S Committee or Worker Health and Safety Representative in all matters respecting OH&S;

  • Ensure that a mechanism is in place to demonstrate follow up of OH&S Committee or Worker Health and Safety Representative recommendations;

  • Ensure that the OH&S Committee schedules and completes Workplace Inspections;

  • Participate in workplace inspections as required;

  • Ensure that the necessary protective clothing and devices are provided and used; and

  • Cooperate with a person exercising a duty imposed by the OH&S Act or Regulations.

    •

    In addition to the above, departments are required to report to the Public Service Secretariat on an annual basis regarding organizational performance with respect to OH&S;

    Managers and Supervisors:

    It is the responsibility of managers and supervisors to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. This will include the following responsibilities:

  • Provide the information, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of employees under their supervision;

  • Provide and maintain a workplace and the necessary equipment, systems and tools that are safe for the discharge of the duties of employees under their supervision;

  • Ensure that employees under their supervision are aware of hazards that have been identified in the workplace and that workers are trained in controls;

  • Ensure that employees under their supervision comply with safe work practices and procedures, OH&S policies, and the OH&S Act and Regulations;

  • Identify potential/actual hazards associated with work performed by employees under their supervision, evaluate the hazard and implement controls to reduce or eliminate the hazard;

  • Assist with identification of hazards throughout the workplace;

  • Develop and implement safe work and operating procedures for work performed by employees under their supervision;

  • Develop and implement emergency preparedness and response plans for the organization;

  • Cooperate with employees, other supervisors and managers, and the joint OH&S Committee or Worker Health and Safety Representative in all matters respecting OH&S;

  • Participate in workplace inspections as required;

  • Ensure that employees use personal protective equipment as required;

  • Ensure that all personal protective equipment is properly maintained;

  • Follow-up on work refusals where and when needed;

  • Conduct regular safety meetings;

  • Participate in and/or conduct Accident/Incident Investigations as required, and review, implement and follow up on corrective actions to prevent recurrences; and

  • Cooperate with a person exercising a duty imposed by the OH&S Act or Regulations.

    •

    Employees

    It is the responsibility of employees to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. This will include the following responsibilities:

    • Be aware of, and comply with, the OH&S Act and Regulations and this policy;
    • Consult and cooperate with co-workers, the OH&S Committee or Worker Health and Safety Representative, supervisors and managers, and the organization to:
      • Protect his or her own health and safety at all times;
      • Protect the health and safety of other workers engaged in the work of the employer;
      • Protect the health and safety of other workers or persons not engaged in the work of the employer but present at or near the workplace;
    • Work in a healthy and safe manner at all times, and to perform job duties in accordance with instructions and training provided;
    • Use devices and equipment provided for his or her protection in accordance with the instructions and training provided with respect to the devices and equipment;
    • Report to his/her manager or designate any actual and/or potential hazards identified in the workplace;
    • Not carry out work where there exists an imminent danger to his/her or another worker’s health or safety or the health or safety of another person; or operate a tool, appliance or piece of equipment that will create an imminent danger to his/her or another employee’s health and safety or the health or safety of another person; and
    • Cooperate with a person exercising a duty imposed by the OH&S Act or Regulations.

    Public Service Secretariat

    It is the responsibility of the Public Service Secretariat to:

    • Support occupational health and safety corporately within the public service. This could involve program development, and the provision of consultation, training supports, advice and assistance, and reviewing and reporting information regarding departmental programming and activities with respect to occupational health and safety.

    Contractors and Contractors’ Employees

    Contractors and contractors’ employees are accountable to:

    • Be familiar with and follow organizational policies and procedures regarding OH&S;
    • Operate according to legislative requirements using best practices with regard to OH&S.

    Approved: June 1, 2009
    Reference: TBM 2009-210
     
    Last Updated:
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