Occupational health and safety regulations and university policies

The University of Ottawa is governed by the Occupational Health & Safety Act and the Regulations under the Act. Some of the Regulations that have more significant impacts at the University are:

• O. Reg 381/05 Noise
• O. Reg 490/09 Designated Substances
• O. Reg. 632/05 Confined Spaces
• O. Reg. 278/05 Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations
• O. Reg. 213/91 Construction Projects
• O. Reg. 860/90 Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• O. Reg. 851/90 Industrial Establishments
• O. Reg. 834/90 Critical Injury – defined
• O. Reg. 833/90 Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents

All members of personnel involved in an accident while fulfilling the requirements of their duties at their place of employment, are covered under the Workmen's Compensation Act of Ontario.

• Policy 18 - Workmen's Compensation

The purpose of this policy is to enhance the security of persons and their property, to ensure that their rights are protected and to safeguard University property.

• Policy 33 - Security

This Policy defines the key control program of the University for the guidance of faculties, schools, and services. This program is the responsibility of the Director of Facilities.

• Policy 35 - Key Control

Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings, covered locations, and other areas, or within nine meters (30 feet) of any building entrance/exit or air intake or patio. 

• Policy 58 - Smoking Policy 

This Policy formally establishes the University's commitment to the prevention of violence in the workplace. It is also intended to describe the University's process for addressing incidents and complaints of violence and meeting the University's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to violence. 

• Policy 66 - Violence Prevention

This Policy establishes the University's policy on the prevention of harassment and discrimination. 

• Policy 67a - Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination

The overarching purposes of this Policy are to reaffirm the University of Ottawa's commitment to a safe and healthy campus for work, for study and for campus community life for all members of the University community and its commitment to provide support to those members of the University community directly affected by sexual violence. 

• Policy 67b - Prevention of Sexual Violence

The purpose of this policy is to recognize the responsibilities and express the commitment of the University of Ottawa with respect to environmental protection and sustainable practices, to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental law at all sites of University activity, to allocate specific responsibilities to various members of the University community, and to provide a platform for sustainable development efforts at the University. 

• Policy 72- Environmental Management and Sustainability

It is University policy to maintain a safe work and study environment, and to comply with health and safety legislation, regulations and orders. The University promotes and seeks to protect the health, safety and well-being of all its members. 

• Policy 77 - Occupational Health & Safety

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that the University fulfills its legal obligations for the protection of the environment, through the appropriate assignment of responsibilities throughout the University, and establishment of directives, procedures, and standards.

This Policy should be read in conjunction with Policy 77 (Occupational Health and Safety Policy) and 72 (Environmental Policy).

• Policy 91 - Environmental Management

The purpose of this policy is to establish the guiding principles by which the University manages a University Emergency and provides the foundation for the University’s Emergency Management and Business Continuity Program including the roles and responsibilities within it in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from a University Emergency.

• Policy 125 - Emergency Management and Business Continuity Program

This procedure is based on Policy 77 - Occupational Health and Safety Policy, which establishes the University policy on occupational health and safety. The purpose of this procedure is to define the roles and responsibilities for health and safety matters as they apply to members of the University community and to explain the University health and safety accountability structure. 

• Procedure 14-1 - Internal Responsibility Procedure for Health and Safety Issues