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Occupational Health and Safety

Safety Management System

Management Commitment Statement

Red Deer College is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment and working conditions that meet the legislative requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Industrial Standards. Regulations set the minimum standard our goal is to supercede the minimum.

Joel Ward, President of Red Deer College

Alberta OH&S Act Section 2 Part 2 states:

Every worker shall, while engaged in an occupation, take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of the worker and of other workers present while the worker is working, and co-operate with the workers employer for the purposes of protecting the health and safety of the worker, other workers engaged in the work of the employer, and other workers not engaged in the work of that employer but present at the work site at which that work is being carried out.

Red Deer College recognizes its responsibility to protect the health and assure the safety of the students, employees and visitors to the campus and therefore, management is committed in doing everything possible to prevent injuries and maintain a healthy environment. To fulfill this commitment:

  • The President and Board of Governors declare commitment through policy and demonstrate that health and safety is valued by striving for quality and excellence
  • Managers, Supervisors and Instructors are responsible and accountable for the implementation of the College safety program in their departments
  • Instructors and Supervisors will ensure adequate training related to specific learning or job requirements and enforce safe operating procedures
  • Instructors and Supervisors will ensure that machinery and equipment are safe and that students and employees work in compliance with established safe work practices and procedures
  • Employees and Students are responsible for heath and safety for themselves, other students, and employees
  • Failure to comply with this program may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal

The eight elements include:

  1. Management Leadership and Organizational Commitment
  2. Hazard Identification and Assessment
  3. Hazard Control
  4. Ongoing Inspections
  5. Qualifications, Orientation and Training
  6. Emergency Response
  7. Incident Investigation
  8. Program Administration

1. Management Leadership and Organizational Commitment

Occupational Health and Safety Standard Practice

Occupational Health and Safety - Policy
Fundamental Rights of Workers
Occupational Health and Safety Act - Employers Guide
Occupational Health and Safety Act - Workers Guide

General College Safety Rules (Guidelines)

  • Alcohol consumption is permitted in licensed areas of the College; Standard Practice - Alcohol Consumption and College residences when in use as a dwelling.
  • Fighting, horseplay, practical jokes or otherwise interfering with other employees/students is prohibited.
  • Theft, vandalism or any other abuse or misuse of College property is prohibited.
    All unsafe acts and conditions, including near miss incidents, are to be reported to appropriate Supervisor immediately.
  • All incidents/injuries must be reported to your Supervisor and the Health and Wellness Centre immediately.
  • First aid treatment is to be obtained promptly for any injury.
  • Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn.
  • Work shall be carried out in accordance with appropriate safe work practices.
  • All employees/students have the legal right to refuse unsafe work.
  • Only those tools and equipment that are in good repair, with all guards and safety devices in place, shall be used.
  • Every employee/student is responsible to maintain a safe work area.
  • Any violation of Municipal, Provincial and Federal Legislation or the Criminal Code of Canada is unacceptable and may be investigated by both College and police authority.

2. Hazard Identification and Assessment

In order to prevent injury and losses due to workplace hazards, we need a good understanding of the actual hazards and risks in the individual workplaces. These hazards cannot always be eliminated. However, assessing and understanding their natures and potentials are critical to developing acceptable controls to avoid incidents, injury and losses. Good solutions are the result of adequate hazard assessments. The workplace hazard assessment is a systematic process to review facilities and tasks to uncover violence-related hazards:

  • That exist due to the nature of the work being done.
  • That may have been overlooked in layout or design of work areas and processes.
  • That may have developed after work has started.
  • That may have resulted from changes in workplace procedures or personnel during the course of a task.

Hazard Assessment Form

3. Hazard Control

The Alberta OH&S Code requires that hazards be controlled so that workplace exposures can be prevented. Identified hazards must be evaluated to determine effective controls. The hierarchy of controls should be followed.

Hierarchy of Controls

  • Elimination (including substitution) is considered the most reliable control measure because, if a hazard is eliminated, it not longer poses a risk. It is the preferred way to control a hazard and should be used when ever possible. Substitution occurs when a new chemical of substance is used instead of another chemical. It is sometimes grouped with elimination because, in effect, first the substance or hazard is removed from the workplace. The goal is to choose a new chemical that is less hazardous than the original.
  • Engineering controls eliminate or reduce exposure to a hazard through the use of guards, covers, sound-dampening materials to reduce noise, safety interlocks, radiation shielding and ventilation systems.
  • Administrative controls are work procedures such as written safety policies, rules, supervision, schedules and training with the goal of reducing the duration, frequency and severity of exposure to hazards.
    Cut Down on Appliance use in Individual Offices to Avoid Hazards: Did you know that 1 curcuit=a 15 amp breaker? Did you know that the following appliances use 12 amps: microwaves, coffee pots, kettles, fridges, water coolers, toasters and hot plates. Many employees have more that one of these appliances in their office which could have ramifications for you and the college, including loss of power, loss of computer data and creation of a potential fire hazard. Although new renovations have created centralized areas where many of theses appliances are properly wired, this does not address older existing office clusters. It is recommended that no individual offices or cubicles contain any of the appliances listed above. Coffee machines as well as food and beverage appliances should only be put into designated open areas where circuits are adequate. Appliances such as toasters, coffee pots, microwaves, etc, should be unplugged when not in use. To help address this concern, please consider using the 1500 Wing Staff Lounge and centralize coffee areas in your office clusters if you haven't already.

4. Ongoing Inspections

Shops/Industrial Safety Inspection Checklist

Work site Safety Inspection Checklist

Flat Roof Instruction

5. Qualifications, Orientation and Training

New employees will be provided orientation training and will be furnished with information and literature covering Red Deer College¡¦s heath and safety polices, rules and procedures.

The OH&S Regulations require that any employee who performs ¡§work that may endanger a worker¡¨ be competent to do that work, or be working under the direct supervision of someone who is competent.

Occupational Health and Safety/WHMIS Training on Blackboard

Occupational Health and Safety Orientation

6. Emergency Response

Disaster Preparedness - Emergency Response - Evacuation and Lock down Drill

Emergency Procedures - Print this quick reference of emergency procedures.

RDC Employees: Coverage for Ambulance to be covered through employee benefits if eligible.

7. Incident Investigation

The achievement and maintenance of safe working conditions and the prevention of incidents is an expectation of all employees and students. By recognizing unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, and by taking the necessary corrective action, accidents and injuries can be prevented.

Safety is the responsibility of each and everyone. This is a condition of employment or enrollment and an important part of our performance.

Accident Incident Reporting and Investigation Policy

All occupational incidents/injuries must be reported to the Health, Safety and Wellness Centre and your supervisor. An Incident/Injury Report form can be obtained from the Forms Index, or Incident/Injury Report and emailed to the Health Safety and Wellness Centre immediately.

If you need assistance in completing this report, please contact the Health, Safety and Wellness Centre at 403.342.3427.

Incident Investigation Directive for Red Deer College

Incidents are investigated so that all the causes can be determined, and corrective actions implemented, to prevent similar types of incidents in the future.

Incidents to be reported include:

  • All incidents resulting in any injury requiring medical aid
  • All incidents that cause property or equipment damage over $500.00, or interrupt operations.
  • All incidents that, under slightly different circumstances, could have resulted in an injury or loss.
  • Any other incident that any employee believes requires attention.

Responsibilities for reporting and investigation are as follows:

  • College employees are responsible to verbally report incidents to their supervisor, immediately after it has occurred.
  • Supervisors are responsible to investigate (to determine immediate and underlying causes and make recommendations for corrective actions). This is to be documented on the Red Deer College Incident Investigation Report form.
  • Senior management must review the reports, and either approve them, or make amendments. A copy of each report is also forwarded to the Occupational Health and Safety Committee for review.
  • Supervisors are responsible to ensure that the corrective actions are implemented in their area, and followed up to ensure that the actions are effective.
  • Supervisors are responsible to share the results of the investigation with their staff. (In some cases the results may need to be shared with all employees).

Competence

All incident investigators are required to have training in incident investigation

Incident Investigation Team Members - February 2010

  • Shelly Peyton-Holt, Health, Safety and Wellness Centre - 403.342-3268
  • Vernon May, Campus Management/General College - 403.357-3696
  • Dan Surian, Materials Management Coordinator - 403.357-3644
  • Dave Parry, Trades - 403.342-3483
  • Duane Bott, Trades - 403.342-3440
  • Cathy Davis, Sciences - 403.342-3549
  • Nancy McInerney, Sciences - 403.342-3142
  • Ian LeMaistre, Performing Arts - 403.342-3535
  • Daniel Anhorn, Visual Arts - 403.342-3327
  • Keith Watson, Contractors - 403.343-4090
  • Randy Dyminaiw, Athletics - 403.342-3361
  • Sarah Axelsen, Registrars - 403.342-3447
  • Stacy-Lyn Dick, Residence - 403.342-3122
  • Terry Wood, SA Manager - 403.356-4970
  • Vicente Moreno, Bee Clean - 403.506-6792

8. Program Administration

To access the OH&S Act, Regulation and Code:

Occupatonal Health and Safety Act

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

Occupational Health and Safety Code

Occupational Health and Safety Committee

The OH&S Committee will identify health and safety concerns; recommend preventative measures; recommend, promote and sponsor relevant education or awareness initiatives and ensure provincial and federal regulations are followed.

The OH&S Committee members are empowered to establish subcommittees; conduct on-site inspections, assessments and audits; refer concerns to the supervisor responsible for the area; and seek validation and remedial action if warranted.

Please contact your committee representative if you have any safety concerns:

  • Lesley Kendall, Human Resources
  • Shelly Peyton-Holt, Occupational Health Nurse
  • Keith Watson, Support Staff Association
  • Bryan Askin, Materials Management
  • Sara Axelson, CUPE
  • Les Campbell, Johnson Controls
  • Cathy Davis, Health and Science
  • Ian LeMaistre, Performing Arts
  • Laurel Mutch, Disability Services
  • Glenice Grover, Residence
  • Jason Frizzell, FARDC
  • Vernon May, Campus Management
  • Randy Dymianiw, Sports Facilities
  • Dave Parry, Trades Representative
  • Elizabeth Hammil, Students Association
  • Vincente Morano, Cleaning Services
  • Mary Kelley, Visual Arts

Biosafety sub-committee

All individuals working with or manipulating biohazardous materials or notifiable biological substances that are in Risk Group 2 or higher must adhere to the administrative procedures and rules for the acquisition, use, storage, transportation, and disposal of the these materials. Please see the Biosafety Policy and Standard Operating Procedures.

Occupational Health and Safety Trades sub-committee

Occupational Health and Safety programs available for Red Deer College Employee include:

  • Modified Work
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Health Safety Audits
  • Audiometric Testing
  • Safety Eyewear
  • Safety Footwear
  • First Aid Training
  • REACH (Resources for Employee Assistance, Counseling and Health)
  • Ergonomic Assessments
  • Hazard Assessments
  • Occupational Health and Safety Training
  • WHMIS Training

Glass Studio Manual

To obtain First Aid Kits please visit St. Johns Ambulance website.