Safety Committee

Fundamentals
January 24th, 2018
Presented by: Jack Slessor
SAFE Work Manitoba
Prevention Consultant
 Housekeeping
1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Exits/Muster Point

Washrooms

Smoking

Phones

Participation /Confidentiality
 • Today’s presentation is a short overview of the
material normally covered in the full-day
SAFE Committee Basics Course

• We encourage you to consider taking the

free full-day training course!
Manitoba’s Five Year Plan
 Roles

- Focused on Prevention

Workplace Safety & Health Branch

6
Visit: safemanitoba.com
 Introductions

What industry or sector do you work in?

 Group Discussion
What are some of the benefits of a
Safety and Health Committee?

Why do we need them?

What do they do to help make

workplaces safer?
Which is motivating your committee?
 Rights and Responsibilities in the Workplace

The Workplace Safety & Health Act & Regulation

 provides us with the legal framework

 sets out the rights and duties of all parties in the workplace

 requires workplaces to establish procedures for dealing with

workplace hazards

 provides for enforcement of the law where compliance has not

been achieved
 Legislation
Document Examples Purpose Legally
Binding

Legislation The Workplace Safety Broad Yes

overarching
and Health Act W210
laws
Criminal Code of Canada
Canada Labour Code Part II
Employment Standards Act
Jurisdiction Legislation Website

Federal Canada Labour Code Part II www.labour.gc.

ca

Provincial The Workplace Safety and Health Act www.gov.mb.ca

W210, Workplace Safety and Health
Regulation 217/2006
 Regulations
Document Examples Purpose Legally
Binding
Regulations Workplace Safety and More practical Yes
Health explanations
Regulation of how the
laws are
Canada Labour Code
applied in
Regulations
real life
 Manitoba Regulation 217/2006 Workplace Safety and Health Regulation
1. Definitions and General Matters 23. Cranes and Hoists
2. General Duties 24. Pile Driving
3. Workplace S&H Committees and Representatives 25. Work in the Vicinity of Overhead Electrical Lines
4. General Workplace Requirements 26. Excavation and Tunnels
5. First Aid 27. Work in a Compressed Air Environment
6. Personal Protective Equipment 28. Scaffolds and Other Elevated Work Platforms
7. Storage of Materials, Equipment, Machines and Tools 29. Falsework and Flyforms
8. Musculoskeletal Injuries 30. Temporary Structures
9. Working Alone or in Isolation 31. Roof Work
10. Harassment 32. Precast Concrete
11. Violence in the Workplace 33. Demolition Work
12. Hearing Conservation and Noise Control 34. Explosives
13. Entrances, Exits, Stairways and Ladders 35. WHMIS
14. Fall Protection 36. Chemical and Biological Substances
15. Confined Spaces 37. Asbestos
16. Machines, Tools and Robots 38. Electrical Safety
17. Welding and Allied Processes 39. Health Care Facilities
18. Radiation 40. Forestry and Arboriculture
19. Fire and Explosive Hazards 41. Oil and Gas
20. Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic 42. Firefighters
21. Emergency Washing Facilities 43. Diving Operations
22. Powered Mobile Equipment 44. Repeal and Coming into Force
Rights and Responsibilities in the
Workplace
Duties of
Managers

Duties of Duties of
Supervisors Employers

Internal
Responsibility
System

External Internal Monitoring -

Monitoring – Safety & Health
Safety & Health Committee &
Officers Representatives

Duties of
Workers
 Responsibilities
Employers – must develop safe work procedures, advise
workers and supervisors of any hazards, provide training
and maintain tools and equipment
 Responsibilities
Supervisors – must protect their workers,
implement training and enforce safe
work procedures and ensure the use of
proper equipment (PPE), advise workers
of all known or foreseeable risks to
safety and health in the workplace

Who is a supervisor?
Someone who has charge of a
workplace or authority over a worker

Who is that person(s) in your workplace?

 Responsibilities
Workers – must follow safe work procedures, use all
devices/PPE required by the employer or the
regulations, consult and co-operate with the safety and
health committee or representative
Sec 2(2)(e) of the WSH Act provides every worker, including
supervisors and managers with four basic rights:

1. Right to Know
2. Right to Participate
3. Right to Refuse Dangerous Work
4. Right for Protection from Discriminatory Action

Bulletin #255 – Orientation of workers

 Workers Rights
The right to know - the employer must ensure the worker is………

 Informed about the hazards at work

 Trained to recognize hazards

 Informed about their rights

 Trained in safe work procedures and provided information to

protect their safety and health
 Workers Rights

The right to participate – every worker has the right to participate in

safety and health issues by……..

 Being a safety and health committee member

 Electing worker members to the safety and health committee

 Bringing forward safety and health concerns

 Workers Rights
The right to refuse dangerous
work
A worker may refuse to work or
do particular work at a
workplace if he or she believes
on reasonable grounds that the
work constitutes a danger to
his/her safety or health or to
the safety or health of another
worker or person
Right to Refuse
 Workers Rights
The right to protection from discriminatory action – no employer, union
or person acting on behalf of an employer or union shall take or
threaten discriminatory action against a worker for……….
• Exercising a right under the WSH Act or Regulation
• Testifying in a proceeding under the WSH Act
• Giving information about workplace conditions
• Performing duties as a member of a committee
• Refusing dangerous work
• Taking reasonable action to protect the safety or health of another
person
• Complying with the WSH Act and Regulation and/or attempting to have
the WSH Act/Regulation enforced
Discriminatory action cannot be threatened or taken
against a worker for any of these reasons!
 Workers Rights
If a complaint is made directly to WS&H – a Safety & Health Officer
investigates and determines if a Discriminatory Action has occurred.
The Safety & Health Officer can….

 Order the discriminatory action to STOP

 Order the worker to be re-instated
 Order that lost wages be paid
 Order a removal of any relevant documentation from the
worker’s file
 The employer may be subject to an administrative penalty
 Requirements of a Safety & Health
Committee/Representative

Employers must establish a committee for each

workplace with how many employees?
 20+ regularly employed workers

Workplaces with 5 to 19 must have…?

 A worker representative
 Requirements of a Safety & Health
Committee/Representative

If a workplace has fewer than 5 workers, who is responsible for

safety?

 Everyone is responsible for safety in the workplace; however, the

employer is primarily responsible for all safety.
 Requirements of a Safety & Health
Committee/Representative
Any exceptions?
 A construction project site or seasonal workplace that operates less
than 90 days. More than 90 days and 20 or more workers = must
establish a committee

 The director or WSH may establish a written order permitting one

committee for more than one workplace
or

 to establish more than one committee for a workplace

 Requirements of a Safety & Health
Committee/Representative
A committee should consist of how many members?

 Anywhere from 4 to 12 members

 At least 1/2 are representing workers (not associated with

management)

 Worker members must be appointed in accordance with the

union or elected by the workers

 Employer members must not exceed worker members

 Requirements of a Safety & Health
Committee/Representative

How many co-chairs are required for a committee?

 There must be two co-chairs – one appointed by the
employer and one selected by the worker members
(must alternate duties)

The names of the co-chairs must be posted where?

 On the bulletin board
 Safety & Health Committee Meetings

The primary role of a Safety & Health Committee is to help maintain a

safe workplace by representing all employees’ interest in Safety and
Health to the employer.

In order to carry out it’s duties a committee must have meetings at

least?

……………..once every 3 months

 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Meetings

 Members must be given at least 3 days notice prior to the

meeting

 Meetings must be held in a suitable location and appropriate

resources provided

 Special meetings can be called by co-chair or a Safety &

Health Officer (urgent matters)
 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Meetings

Are guests allowed to attend committee meetings?

 Guest must be invited by the entire committee

Do all members need to be present to hold a meeting?

 Not all need to be present, however if decisions are to be made
there must be a quorum

What is a quorum?
 ½ worker members and ½ employer members are at a meeting
 Safety & Health Committee Meetings

Minutes
 Record minutes at each meeting – names, dates, hazards and their
recommendations, etc

 Signed by each co-chair or their designate who attend in their

absence

Keep minutes for at least ___ years

 10 years

Forward a copy to WSH within ___ days of meeting

 7 days
 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Bulletin Board – What should be posted here?

 Post minutes on bulletin board within 7 days of meeting

 Should have the names of all committee members

 Scheduled dates of meetings

 The agenda for each meeting & copies of each meeting

 Any reports from WSH

 List of the names of the first aiders

 Requirements of a Safety & Health
Committee/Representative

Should committee members be paid while carrying out committee

duties?

 Yes, at their regular or premium pay, as applicable

A member is to serve a _______ term of office.

 two-year, or by union constitution

 Members can continue to hold position until reappointed or re-
elected
 Roles, Duties and Responsibilities of a
Committee/Representative
Let’s discuss some of their duties…………………
1. Section 40(10)) … the receipt, consideration and disposition of
concerns and complaints respecting the safety and health of
workers;
2. Participation in the identification of risks to the safety or health of
workers or other persons, arising out of or in connection with
activities in the workplace;
3. The development and promotion of measures to protect the safety
and health and welfare of persons in the workplace, and checking
the effectiveness of such measures;
4. Co-operation with the occupational health service, if such a service
has been established with the workplace;
 Roles, Duties and Responsibilities of a
Committee/Representative

Let’s discuss more of their duties……………

5. Co-operate with a safety and health officer exercising their duties
under this Act or the regulations;
6. The development and promotion of programs for education and

information concerning safety and health in the workplace;

7. The making of recommendations to the employer or prime
contractor respecting the safety and health of workers;
8. The inspection of the workplace at regular intervals
 WHEN = Part 3.2.2 At least once every 90 days
 WHAT = Part 3.2.2 The entire workplace
 Roles, Duties and Responsibilities of a
Committee/Representative

9. The participation of investigations of accidents and

dangerous
occurrences at the workplace;
 WHAT = Part 2.6 Serious Incident
 WHEN = Part 2.7(1) Notice of a serious incident
 WHO = Part 2.8 – 2.9(3) Investigation of serious incident and accidents or
other dangerous occurrence
10. The maintenance of records in connection with the receipt and
disposition of concerns and complaints and the attendance to
other
matters relating to the duties of the committee;
11. Such other duties as may be specified in this Act or prescribed by
regulation.
Roles, Duties and Responsibilities of a
Committee/Representative

Question?
You are a worker committee member and you see your co-worker not
wearing their PPE in a required area – what do you do?

The committee is not meant to be enforcers

of safety & health in the workplace
 Inspections

Regular inspections have been shown to

reduce injuries and illness in the
workplace.
 Inspections

Members are required to inspect the entire workplace at least once every?

 90 days – employer and worker member together (committee only)

Are members required to assist safety and health officer conducting an inspection?

 Yes, if requested by the SHO

Should planned inspections be conducted before or after a committee meeting?

 Prior to committee meetings

 Hazard Recognition

What does SAFE in SAFE Work stand for?

Spot the hazard

Assess the risk
Find a safer way
Everyday
 Hazard Recognition
1. Spot the hazard - Hazard Recognition

What is a hazard?

What are the different types of hazards?

How do you find hazards?

 Hazard Recognition
Safety hazards = Safety hazards are anything that can cause an injury. The
injury occurs usually immediately after being exposed to the hazard.
Let’s name some safety hazards…

 Pinch points
 Sharp points or edges
 Moving machinery
 Dropping items
 Fire and explosions
 Hazard Recognition
Health hazards = Health Hazards are any agent, situation or condition that
can cause an occupational illness. Let’s name some health hazards………

 Chemical hazards - solids, liquids or gases Agents such as acids, alkalis,

solvents, minerals, detergents, pesticides, vapors, smoke and fume
 
 Biological hazards - such as bacteria, viruses, dusts and molds
("biohazards“)

 Physical agents - Where energy is strong enough to cause harm such as

electrical currents, heat, light, vibration, noise and radiation
 
 Musculoskeletal injury hazards - such as repetitive movements,
workstation design, static postures, manual material handling
 
 Psycho-Social Hazards - such as harassment and violent situations
 Hazard Recognition
2. Assess the risk - Assessing the risk

How do you prioritize which hazards you will deal with first?

What is the risk of being exposed to this hazard?

 Severity of consequence
 Probability
 Frequency
Hazard Recognition Example
Hazard Recognition Example Exercise
Hazard Recognition Example
Hazard Recognition Example
Hazard Recognition Example Exercise
Hazard Recognition Example
Hazard Recognition Example
Hazard Recognition Example
Hazard Recognition Example
Hazard Recognition Example
 Hazard Risk Assessment
Spot the Hazards Rate the Rate the Rate the Total
Severity Probability Frequency Rating *

Slip fall on the

slippery floor 2 3 3 8

Severity Probability Frequency

1 Fatality or permanent 1 Likely to occur 1 Up to 100% of your
disability immediately workday
2 Time loss injury 2 Probable in time 2 Up to 75% of your
workday
3 No time loss - reportable 3 Possible in time 3 Up to 50% of your
injury workday
4 Minor medical treatment 4 Remotely possible 4 Up to 25% of your
workday
*Attend to the lowest total rating first
Find a Safer Way – Controls
 Hazard Recognition
3. Find a safer way - How do you eliminate or control the hazard?

 Remove or control at the source

 Control along the path

 Control at the worker level

 Find a Safer Way – Controls
The best control method is at the source, since it eliminates the
hazard from the workplace.
Some of these methods are…….

 Elimination
 Substitution
 Redesign
 Isolation
 Automation
 Find a Safer Way – Controls
Controls along the path involve stopping a hazard before it reaches
a worker. Some of these controls are…..

 Barriers
 Guarding
 Shielding
 Ventilation
 Relocation
 Dilution
 Find a Safer Way – Controls
Controls at the worker level often involve the use of personal
protective equipment to minimize or prevent harm.

 Administrative controls

 Orientation, training and supervision

 Safe work procedures
 Emergency planning
 Housekeeping
 Hygiene practices
 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – last resort!
Find a Safer Way: Hierarchy of
Controls
Proactive
Eliminate Hazard

Substitute Hazard

Engineering Controls

Safe Work Systems to Increase Hazard Awareness

Administrative Controls

Provide PPE
Reactive
 Hazard Control Worksheet
1 How would you control the hazard at the source (most effective)?
Elimination – First, try getting rid of the hazard.

Substitution – If elimination is not practical, try replacing hazardous

substances with something less dangerous.

Redesign – Engineering can sometimes redesign the layout of the

workplace, workstations, work processes, and jobs to eliminate or control
hazards.

Isolation – Isolating, containing, or enclosing the hazard is often used to

control chemical hazards and biohazards.

Automation – Dangerous processes can sometimes be automated.

2 How would you control the hazard along the path (between the hazard and the
worker)?

Relocation (moving the hazardous process, tools, machinery, or

equipment somewhere safer).

Blocking the hazard (barriers, control rooms, etc).

Absorbing the hazard (such as local ventilation to remove the hazard

where it is generated).

Dilution (general ventilation in the entire work area).

 Hazard Control Worksheet
3 How would you control the hazard at the worker’s level (least effective)?

Administrative controls – These include introducing new policies,

improving work procedures, and requiring workers to use specific
personal protective equipment and hygiene practices.

Work procedures, training, and supervision – Supervisors can be

trained to apply modern safety management and supervisory
practices. Workers can be trained to use standardized safe work
practices.
Emergency planning – Written plans should be in place to handle
fires, chemical spills, and other emergencies. Workers should be
trained to follow these procedures and use appropriate equipment.
Refresher training should be provided regularly.
Housekeeping, repair, and maintenance programs –
Housekeeping includes cleaning, waste disposal, and spill cleanup.
Tools, equipment, and machinery are less likely to cause injury if they
are kept clean and well maintained.

Hygiene practices and facilities – These can reduce the risk of toxic
materials being absorbed by workers or carried home to families.

PPE and clothing – These are used when other controls aren't
feasible, additional protection is needed, or the task or process is
temporary. The employer must require workers to use PPE wherever
the regulations or organizational work procedures prescribe its use.
Workers must be trained to use, store, and maintain their PPE
properly. The employer, supervisor, and workers must be informed
about the limitations of their PPE.
 Investigations
Studies have shown that for every serious accident, there are about
600 incidents with no visible injury or damage.
These incidents provide us with an opportunity to take
corrective action and prevent accidents from happening.
 Investigations
Serious incidents must be reported immediately to WSH

 WSH will determine if they will investigate or advise

you to self-investigate

 Co-chairs, committee members or designates must

be involved in the investigation
Investigations
Concerns & Committee Recommendations
Concerns & Committee Recommendations

The committee’s role – to receive concerns from workers. It is very

important to know that a concern brought forward could be
speaking for the silent majority.

 Ensure the concern is a workplace safety & health matter

 Review the concern

 Follow through, regardless of whether or not you agree

with the concern
Concerns & Committee Recommendations

Making recommendations
 Deal with the issue immediately – management
authorized to make a decision

If not……

 Create a formal recommendation – write a

recommendation to the employer
Concerns & Committee Recommendations

What issues require formal recommendations?

 Equipment changes
 Office layouts
 Product purchasing
 Training or orientation programs

 Cost factor
Concerns & Committee Recommendations

Recommendations should include…

 Short-term solutions – solve the immediate cause of

the problem

 Long-term solutions – remove the root cause

Concerns & Committee Recommendations

What if the issue or concern has been raised but has not been
resolved?

Issues can be addressed by Workplace Safety & Health

through Client Services

If not, they will assign a Safety & Health Officer to

contact the employer
Concerns & Committee Recommendations
 Summary
Diligent employers take the lead in supporting safety and health
committees. They do this by providing…
 Training for each committee member or worker representative –
2 days
 Ensuring competent training – knowing the rights, roles and
responsibilities
 Information to committees – stats, records, WSH material
 Time to carry out committee duties
 Assistance in workplace inspections and investigations
 A response to the committee in writing, on recommendations –
30 days
 Support from supervisors and/or managers
 Due Diligence
Due diligence means that a person has a legal duty (responsibility)
to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to avoid
both harm and an offence against the law. It must be expressed in
behaviour and attitude in the workplace – it cannot be made up
“after the fact.”

Due diligence essentially means that efforts have been made to

consider what hazards might be present and how to mitigate them

Employers should have policies, practices and procedures in

place…
Safety & Health Committee Meetings
 Safety & Health Committee Meetings

The primary role of a Safety & Health Committee is to help maintain a

safe workplace by representing all employees’ interest in Safety and
Health to the employer.

In order to carry out it’s duties a committee must have meetings at

least?

……………..once every 3 months

 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Meetings

 Members must be given at least 3 days notice prior to the meeting

 Meetings must be held in a suitable location and appropriate

resources provided

 Special meetings can be called by co-chair or a Safety & Health

Officer (urgent matters)
 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Meetings

Are guests allowed to attend committee meetings?

 Guest must be invited by the entire committee

Do all members need to be present to hold a meeting?

 Not all need to be present, however if decisions are to be made
there must be a quorum

What is a quorum?
 ½ worker members and ½ employer members are at a meeting
 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Minutes
 Record minutes at each meeting – names, dates, hazards and their
recommendations, etc

 Signed by each co-chair or their designate who attend in their

absence

Keep minutes for at least ___ years

 10 years

Forward a copy to WSH within ___ days of meeting

 7 days
 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Bulletin Board – What should be posted here?

 Post minutes on bulletin board within 7 days of meeting

 Should have the names of all committee members

 Scheduled dates of meetings

 The agenda for each meeting & copies of each meeting

 Any reports from WSH

 List of the names of the first aiders

 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Committee members or representatives must be paid to carry out
duties such as……

 Prepare for the meeting (1 hr)

 Attend the meeting

 Attend required safety & health training

 It is important to note that failure to pay wages or benefits to a worker

performing the duties of a safety and health committee member or
representative is considered discriminatory action
 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Educational Leave

 Employer’s must allow each committee member or worker

representative to educational leave, without loss of pay or
benefits for the purpose of attending safety & health training
seminars, programs or courses of instruction

 The greater of 16 hours or the number of hours the worker

normally works during two shifts

 Ensure committee members are attending the appropriate

training required
 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Rules of Procedure must be established to help clarify expectations
such as…….
 How often will the committee meet

 Should include timelines to follow up on concerns

 Who will schedule the meetings

 Rules respecting the conduct of a meeting

 Other matters the committee considers necessary

 Safety & Health Committee Meetings
Tips for Conducting the Meeting

 Meetings should always start on time

 Create an agenda before the meeting starts

 When reviewing inspection and/or incident reports look for patterns or

trends – may require further investigations

 Co-chairs are responsible to keep the meeting moving, complete all the
agenda and close the meeting

 Identify who will be responsible for follow-up on recommendations and

when
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