New Hire Health & Safety Orientation Program

Directed by: Health and Safety Officer – Physical Plant Updated: September 2013

This Health and Safety Orientation will provide: General Health and Safety Information for Victoria University.

General Health and Safety Information for the task and work you perform.

An outline of any further Health and Safety Training you may require.

Objectives To understand the rights, responsibilities and duties of all University employees under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

To enable you to identify where written safety procedures apply to a job and feel comfortable asking a supervisor for this information.

To understand the role of our Joint Health and Safety Committee and its structure.

Objectives cont’d… To introduce you to the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).

To understand the importance of hazard, incident and accident reporting and what to do when an injury or emergency occurs.

LegislationThe Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that: Victoria University has a Health and Safety Policy.

(Supply Health & Safety Policy Statement to New Hire)

Victoria University’s Health and Safety Program must be implemented. Victoria University has established Health and Safety procedures. Victoria University must provide training to employees. Victoria University must maintain open dialogue on all health and safety related issues.

PolicyAt Victoria University, our occupational health and safety policy establishes our commitment to meeting or exceeding the requirements of all applicable health and safety legislation. Please review our policy and recognize that health and safety are taken very seriously.

* See Health and Safety Policy Statement

ProgramVictoria University’s Health and Safety Program addresses health and safety through instruction and training. Depending on the type of work performed, further training specific to your job may also be provided. Everyone is required to work safely and follow procedures.

ProceduresThere are written procedures for general areas which may include:

Manufacturer’s operating instructions. Maintenance checklists for equipment. General housekeeping requirements of equipment and work areas.

ProceduresPotentially hazardous tasks require the worker to be trained and follow written procedures and to know: When and where the procedure applies What supervision or signatures are required What certification or training is required What personal protective equipment is required What steps are to be taken before the job is started What emergency steps to take in case of an accident

Other LegislationBesides the Occupational Health & Safety Act, there are other pieces of legislation that must be followed:

Acts Regulations Standards Codes or Practice Guidelines

Copies of the Occupational Health

& Safety Act are located on all Safety Bulletin Boards

The Internal Responsibility System (IRS)The Internal Responsibility System places the responsibility of working safely on all University employees. Employers Managers Supervisors Workers Contractors

Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC)Victoria University, in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, has established a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) to identify and address hazards and safety issues within the University.

It is a valuable resource that helps to support the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) at the University. Minutes of the JHSC meetings are posted on all health and safety bulletin boards, along with the names and departments of the committee members.

Your Safety ResponsibilitiesWe all share in the responsibility of maintaining health and safety at the University. Your key responsibilities as an employee are to: Follow the duties of a worker as outlined in Section 28 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario. Take necessary steps to protect the health and safety of yourself and others.

Your Safety Responsibilities Co-operate with the University in its efforts to provide a safe and accident-free workplace.

Use the recommended personal protective equipment furnished by the University as required.

Report substandard acts and conditions, accidents and near misses when you see them to your supervisor; discourage unsafe acts by fellow employees.

Your Safety Responsibilities Maintain proper housekeeping of equipment/areas. Participate in University safety meetings/training. Report any incidents of employees or others engaging in pranks, showing off, unnecessary activity or conduct to your supervisor. Not remove or make ineffective any protective device Not operate any equipment or work in a way that may endanger yourself or another worker.

Your Safety RightsThe Right to KNOW

About potential hazards (dangers) to which you may be exposed.

The right to receive training.

The right to receive safety instruction on machinery, equipment, working conditions, hazardous substances and physical agents at the University.

Your Safety RightsThe Right to PARTICIPATE

You have the right to be part of the process of identifying and resolving health and safety concerns.

Become a member of the JHSC Make suggestions and reporting hazards Participate in health and safety training

Your Safety RightsThe Right to REFUSE Unsafe Work

If you have reason to believe that you or another worker may be put in danger. If you have any questions or concerns about safety in your workplace, contact your supervisor.

HazardsTypes of Hazards at Victoria

University:

Chemical WHMIS Pest Control Act

Physical Temperature Machinery, Tools and

Equipment Noise Vibration Electricity

HazardsTypes of Hazards at Victoria University: Biological

Organisms or toxic substances produced by living organisms that can cause illness or disease in humans.

• First Aid Waste• Rodent Droppings• Bird Droppings• Human Waste

• To avoid illness and disease, wash your hands after every exposure.

HazardsTypes of Hazards at Victoria University: Ergonomic The science of adapting the workplace to fit the worker, rather than fitting the worker to the workplace.

Workstation design Tools and Equipment design/purchase Processes

Most frequent loss time injuries due to soft tissue injuries.

Lifting Twisting Carrying Pushing / Pulling

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Victoria University will supply PPE (such as eye protection and safety footwear) if your job requires it. If your job requires the use of PPE, you are expected to wear it properly, maintain it in good condition and inspect it for damage. Report all damaged PPE to your supervisor immediately

Housekeeping, Storage, Equipment & Tool Maintenance

A clean, organized work environment is a key ingredient in ensuring that your workplace is safe. It is your responsibility to keep your work area organized, clean and well maintained.

Tools and equipment should be kept in good condition and stored in the proper places. Offices should be kept tidy and passage ways clear. If you need resources to help manage your workspace in an orderly manner, talk to your supervisor.

Reporting Hazards, Incidents & Accidents Reporting hazards can significantly reduce incidents and accidents and possibly prevent a serious or fatal injury. Reporting of incidents or “near misses” to your supervisor will initiate corrective actions to prevent a recurrence in the future. All injuries, no matter how insignificant, must be reported immediately to your supervisor to provide a

record of what happened so that corrective action can take place to prevent future occurrences.

In All Cases of Injury at Work Get First Aid immediately from a certified First Aider

Names and Departments of First Aiders are located on all Health

and Safety Bulletin Boards. The location of all First Aid Kits is listed under Element 7.1

First Aid of the Health and Safety Manual and on all Health and Safety bulletin boards.

Tell your supervisor about the injury All incidents should be logged into the recording form located in each first aid box, no matter how small the injury. Seek medical care if needed Do not use your own vehicle. Your supervisor will call a taxi, or if required, an ambulance.

In All Cases of Injury at Work If you lose time from work due to a work-related injury, you must contact your supervisor and medical practitioner to arrange modified duties if possible.

The Workplace Safety & Insurance Act requires all workplace parties to cooperate in the Early and Safe Return to Work of an injured worker immediately following a workplace accident. As such, you are required to work with your supervisor to identify suitable work that is meaningful and within your physical capabilities. If you have concerns regarding your modified duties, please speak directly with your supervisor.

Fire ExtinguishersFire Extinguishers are located throughout each of Victoria University’s buildings. If you see a small fire:

Get aid immediately.Use the PASS system for fire

extinguisher (pull pin, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).

If this attempt fails, evacuate the area immediately and call for help.

In Case of Fire or Emergency Requiring Evacuation UPON DISCOVERING A SITUATION

REQUIRING EVACUATION:

Remain Calm Advise workers in the immediate vicinity Advise all other employees, students, visitors to evacuate the building by triggering the alarm system (use the red pull stations)

to signal evacuation. Call the Residence Service Desk at Margaret Addison Hall at (416) 585-4524.

In Case of Fire or Emergency Requiring Evacuation Upon evacuation notification, leave the building immediately by the nearest exit and report to your designated area for ROLL CALL. Do not take the elevators. Assist persons with disabilities in exiting the building. Contact the Residence Service Desk at Margaret Addison Hall if a person with disabilities is located above or below the handicap access floor. If you are the last person out, close the doors, but leave them unlocked. DO NOT re-enter the building until advised by a Fire Official or a University Official.

Campus Evacuation Evacuation of all or part of the campus grounds will be coordinated by the Physical Plant personnel.

All persons are to evacuate the site immediately and relocate to another part of the campus grounds or an off-site area as directed.

Bomb Threats Call Toronto Police Emergency Control

Centre at (9) – 911.

Notify your supervisor immediately and follow the

Emergency Evacuation Procedure.

For General InquiryIf you require safety services, including but not limited to:

Hazardous Waste Disposal Information related to safety topics Procedures Investigations for ergonomics, or other health matters

Please call the Health and Safety Officer at (416) 585-4480

Stay Alert………Don’t get hurt

For General Information

Occupational Health and Safety Act WHMIS University Policy Programs & Procedures

Please refer to the Health and Safety bulletin boards or visit the web site at www.vicu.utoronto.ca/about/hr/Health_and_Safety.htm

Emergency Contact Numbers Police/Fire/Ambulance 9-1-1 Campus Emergency (Security)

All campus emergencies (416) 585-4524 University of Toronto Police (416) 978-2222 Poison Control Centre (416) 813-5900 Ministry of Labour 1-877-202-0008 Ministry of Environment (416) 325-3000

Maintenance – Victoria Campus During regular business hours (416) 585-4581 After regular business hours (416) 585-4524

Automated Telephone Directory (416) 585-4521

Next Steps Supervisor to provide Orientation training

package, which includes: Occupational Health & Safety Policy Emergency Responses, Personal Safety and

Protection of Property Health and Safety Guide for Employees Health and Safety Orientation Test Web-based WHMIS Training Instructions WHMIS Quiz Employee Health and Safety Orientation Checklist Health and Safety Education/Training Needs

Checklist