Programs and procedures

This document applies to all members of the University community, including contractors performing work at the request of the University of Ottawa. The objective of the Asbestos Management Program is to prevent the accidental release of asbestos fibres and implement the prescribed procedures to ensure the health and safety of the campus community during work involving asbestos-containing materials. These procedures are applicable to all work involving asbestos-containing material, including normal building operations, maintenance, repair, renovation and/or demolition. 

• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses asbestos safety (O. Reg. 278/05). 
• Asbestos Management Program

The University of Ottawa has identified all known confined spaces on campus, including elevator pits, sewers, sump pits, and pressure vessels. Other areas on campus may become a confined space depending on the type of work being conducted. Any questions regarding confined spaces may be addressed to the Project Leader, or the Health, Safety and Risk Manager at Facilities. 

• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses confined spaces (O. Reg. 632/05)
• Confined Spaces

Employees must report all accidents, incidents, occupational diseases or near misses to their supervisor immediately. Should the supervisor not be available or should it be after working hours, contact Protection Services immediately. 

• On campus, at Roger Guindon Hall or at 200 Lees: call Protection Services at 613-562-5411, or press the emergency button on your campus phone, or use one of the uOttawa's Protection Services emergency phones (blue phones). 
• Off campus, at 1000 Polytek or 725 Parkdale: call 911 and then, only when it is safe, call 613-562-5411 to notify Protection Services of the incident so they can assist Ottawa emergency services. 
• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses critical injury (O. Reg. 834/90).
• Critical Injury Reporting
• Report an injury, spill or hazard

Designated Substances Reports are intended as a base report for whether asbestos or other designated substances exist at the location. 

Please Note: Asbestos is not dangerous unless it is disturbed. 

• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses designated substances (O. Reg. 490/09). 
• Designated Substances

uOttawa has developed a program for the lockout of hazardous energies. All electrical equipment on the project site is expected to be CSA compliant (or equivalent) and in good, safe functioning condition. 

• Equipment must be CSA or ESA certified (or Ontario equivalent) 
• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses electrical safety (O. Reg. 164/99). 
• Electrical Safety

Contractors / subcontractors must ensure that their personnel are trained in fall prevention and wear appropriate safety harnesses or use a fall protection system when there is a danger of falling more than 3 meters or other conditions described in Regulation 213 (26), Regulation 851 or other applicable standards. 

• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses fall protection and working at heights during construction projects (O. Reg. 213/91)
• Fall Protection

The hazard reporting procedure is intended to be used by the entire University of Ottawa community, in particular by employees and supervisors. It sets out steps for reporting potential or actual hazards in the workplace. It provides information on the content of the report, helping to streamline the approach for 

• advising authorities of hazards and receiving feedback on the action taken, 
• investigating accidents, incidents, or concerns, and 
• determining the best control measures. 
• Hazard Reporting Procedure

All work which generates heat that may cause combustion of surrounding materials, including open flame work, is covered by this procedure. Its purpose is to establish procedures for safe hot or open flame work in specific campus locations. Contractors/subcontractors must ensure that appropriate fire prevention measures are implemented while working at the project site. 

• Hot Work Procedure
• Hot Work Permit

The hearing conservation program was developed with the Office of Risk Management and the Health and Wellness Office at Human Resources, is intended for all workers, students, contractors, and all other persons who may work in an environment considered hazardous to their hearing and includes conditions produced via research activities.

• A clearly visible warning sign shall be posted at all approaches to an area where the sound level regularly exceeds 85 dB. Note - uOttawa has adopted a more conservative level of 80 dB. 
• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses sound level safety (O. Reg. 381/15). 
• Hearing Conservation Program

A guideline for members of the University community who conduct their work primarily in office-type environments. This document will briefly outline common symptoms of poor indoor air quality, potential causes and the investigation processes for supervisors to follow when situations of poor indoor air quality are reported to them. 

• Indoor Air Quality

This general procedure aims to set a minimum safety standard for lockout, which is intended to reduce the risk of severe injury by ensuring that equipment cannot be accidentally turned on, switched on, or pressurized while a worker is servicing it. Additional procedures may need to be developed for other applications that require additional safety measures, such as for residual energies. 

• Lockout Procedures
• Lockout Form

The main objective of this program for mould control is to prepare the employees of the University of Ottawa's Facilities to respond adequately and efficiently in cases of water damage on campus, in order to prevent undesirable mould growth within the university building. 

• Mould Control Program

Due to the nature of most construction projects, work requiring the use of personal protective equipment is expected. Persona protective equipment must be maintained in serviceable condition. All users are expected to understand the equipment limitations and ensure that their protective equipment is fitted properly. Contractors may be required to produce proof of fit testing for certain projects. 

• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses personal protective equipment (R. R. O. 1990 Reg. 851)
• Personal Protective Equipment

This procedure describes the Potable Water Quality Management Program used by the University of Ottawa.

• Potable water program

Risk Management Health and Safety Plan provides health and safety information to people working at; or otherwise involved at 200 Lees Ave. This sets out responsibilities; establishes personnel protection standards and mandatory safety practices and procedures; and provides for contingencies that may arise during various site activities which may potentially involve encountering impacted subsurface soils and groundwater at the site. 

• Risk Management Health and Safety Plan - 200 Lees Ave

This program is the process of investigating physical workplace accidents, occupational illnesses, incidents and actual or potential heath and/or safety concerns. It addresses and corrects situations in the workplace that have caused injury or property damage or had the potential to do so. 

• Supervisor Accident / Incident Investigation Program

A designated guideline for "thermal comfort" to be referenced during periods of warm, summer weather. This guideline is intended for use by the University community who conducted the regular part of their job in an office environment. Please speak to your supervisor if you have concerns regarding workplace temperatures. 

• Cold Stress and Heat Stress

Working alone is strongly discouraged. Nevertheless, the University recognizes that, in unique or special circumstances, persons may need to work in isolation. This document outlines the guidelines of what it means to work alone, how to identify and reduce (or control) hazards, what to do in emergency situations and how to report accidents, incidents and workplace violence.

• Read through and be familiar with procedure 14-1, and aware of your responsibilities to keep yourself safe
• Working in Isolation