Policy Name: Occupational Health & Safety Policy Number: I-F-10.

00

Manual: Administration Distribution: Owen Sound

Retirement
Attachments: Date: February 2021
I-F-10.00(a) Occupational Health & Safety Policy
Statement (site specific)

Safety in a Retirement Residence:

Safety cannot be legislated by a set of rules. People must be motivated to the benefits of safe work
practices with education as to why certain practices are unsafe. This requires a great deal of patience
and ingenuity on the part of the Administrator and Department Managers who must demonstrate good
leadership. The effectiveness of a safety program depends on a firm commitment from senior
management and the involvement of all workers.

Ultimately, accident prevention is an administrative responsibility. Managers should understand the

importance of operating a safe environment where accidents, injuries or employee lost-time can be
prevented. It is their responsibility to search out and control potentially hazardous situations. But as
any safety program requires the leadership of administration, it also requires the co-operation of all the
employees. The Joint Health and Safety Committee meets regularly and actively develops and
participates in the safety program. Education will ensure that employees develop an awareness that
make for an accident-free residence.

Unsafe acts and practices contribute accidents that may result in injury.

Principles of Safety:

In order to appreciate the concepts of an adequate Safety program, it is important to examine

everything that contributes to the program. Understanding what safety is all about, the employees
themselves and their relationship with each other, is all a good basis for a Safety Program.

The principles of safety can be broken down into five parts:

1. Everyone is responsible to work in a safe and healthy manner. Safety awareness is the result of
training and experience.
2. There are organized procedures designed to ensure that all aspects of the Safety Program are
carried out.
3. Everyone must know to whom they are responsible with respect to safety. Good communication is
essential.
4. There must be well-defined procedures for the operation of machines.
5. The Safety Program must be co-ordinated with all departments.
6. The Safety Program should be evaluated and reviewed regularly.

General Principles:

The responsibility for safety then rests with everyone, in varying degrees. This delegation to all
personnel in the residence is intended to bring about total participation and ensure all aspects of the
Safety Program are carried out.

However, the final responsibility rests with the Administrator who delegates responsibility to
Department Managers to ensure that safety procedures are followed by all staff.

The foregoing is broken down into two basic principles:

1. Responsibility:
Employees have the responsibility to work safely. Each Department Supervisor is responsible for
ensuring that his/her staff works safely in compliance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act.
2. Accountability:
Accountability as used in the Safety Program means:
a. Department Managers will be answerable to the Administrator for the carrying out of
their responsibilities in the Safety Program.
b. Each Department Supervisor will require his/her staff to answer for their performance in
carrying out their responsibilities in the Safety Program. A Supervisor by definition under
the OHSA means a “person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker.”

Department Managers are responsible for the enforcement of safety rules and the provision of a safe
work place.
Policy Name: Occupational Health & Safety Policy Number: I-F-10.00 Page 2 of 2

c. Every employee is personally responsible to work safely and to maintain a safe work area.

All employees are held accountable for their performance in safety.

d. Offences and penalties for offenses such as non-compliance with the Act include fines up
to $25,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations, as well as jail terms of up to 12
months.

Responsibilities of the Administrator:

1. Establish and implement policies and procedures for safety in the workplace. Ensure compliance.
2. Be familiar with and meet the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
3. In a residence employing more than 20 employees, the following requirements of the
Occupational Health and Safety Act must be adhered to:

 establish and maintain a functioning Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee
(50% workers/ 50% management)
 post a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act in a place where it is easily available
for reference by employees
 makes residence available for inspections by the Ministry of Labour inspectors

4. Establish and implement staff training and in-service programs for safety. Include training in
orientation and ongoing in-service programs and monitor attendance. Much can be done to train
people to work safely and to provide safe working conditions.
5. The Administrator's responsibility should be to prevent accidents and injuries from
occurring.
6. Ensure that all safety procedures and precautions are understood and followed. Staff must be
required to wear appropriate shoes and clothing at all times.
7. Necessary protective apparel, for example: gowns, masks, goggles, and gloves should be available
for staff use.

Responsibilities of the Department Managers:

1. Department Managers are directly responsible for the safety of all staff working in their areas.
2. Ensure the removal of hazardous or potentially hazardous situations within their department.
3. Investigate and offer remedial solutions to any hazard reported in their department. Ensure that
a remedy is implemented.
4. Assess staffs’ ability to perform their job safely. Preview this at all performance appraisals and as
required.