Module 3 - Roles and responsibilities

Each individual is responsible for complying with all policies, procedures, directives and standards established by the authority having jurisdiction, the University, or the individual’s specific faculty or department. In particular, each individual is responsible for conducting activities in a manner that will not endanger themselves or others. Individuals must exercise all reasonable care in activities that may pose a risk. When directed to do so, all University workers (including researchers and, in some cases, students) shall participate in training and information sessions. Each individual is responsible for ensuring that they have received the requisite training (mandatory, job‑specific, etc.). All individuals shall provide assistance and cooperate with University and regulatory authorities (including members of the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee) that conduct inspections, audits or investigations in accordance with specified policies and procedures. All individuals are required to report all known hazards to their immediate supervisors. All workers may exercise a work refusal if they feel unsafe. Individuals are encouraged to ask questions about items or processes within the lab

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring compliance with all policies, procedures, directives and standards established by the authority having jurisdiction, the University, or the supervisor’s specific faculty or department. Supervisors shall provide opportunities for personnel under their authority to attend appropriate training or information sessions required by the University or faculty (including mandatory and job‐specific training).

Supervisors must also initiate necessary preventive and corrective action to mitigate hazards associated with activities under their authority. Supervisors are required to take corrective action, within the scope of their authority, as soon as they become aware of situations involving non‐adherence to policy and procedures, or laws and bylaws. They are to report situations requiring further assistance or intervention to their immediate supervisor for resolution and/or escalation, as necessary.

Principal investigators are considered supervisors and are responsible for ensuring that all those under their authority are diligent in the application of their responsibilities. They are responsible for communicating procedures, standards and guidelines in the teaching and research activities that they supervise and for ensuring compliance with such procedures, standards and guidelines.

Principal investigators are responsible for developing and establishing specific procedures for activities under their authority (including research), in support of University or faculty directives, and in compliance with external agency requirements. Principal investigators must also initiate necessary preventive measures to manage hazards associated with activities under their authority.

Principal investigators are required to take corrective action, within the scope of their authority, as soon as they become aware of a situation involving non‐adherence to policy and procedures, or laws and bylaws. Principal investigators must report situations requiring further assistance or intervention to their department chairs.

Department chairs are responsible for monitoring compliance with all directives, procedures and standards established by the University, their faculty or regulatory agencies, at the individual department level. This includes supporting the implementation and maintenance of faculty directives and monitoring adherence to them at the department level.

Department chairs must also initiate necessary preventive measures to control hazards associated with activities under their authority. Department chairs are required to take corrective action, within the scope of their authority, as soon as they become aware of a situation that involves non‐adherence to policy and procedures, or laws and bylaws.

Department chairs must report situations requiring further assistance or intervention to their dean

Deans are responsible for overseeing compliance with all directives, procedures and standards established by the University, their faculty or regulatory agencies, at the faculty level. Deans must also ensure that appropriate programs are in place at the faculty level.

This includes developing, establishing and maintaining the objectives, plans, directives, guidelines and procedures necessary to manage hazards and to ensure sound management of environmental issues applicable to their faculty. Deans must allocate or, if necessary, request sufficient resources to ensure the effective operation of these programs. They are also responsible for monitoring adherence with directives, guidelines, procedures and standards established for their faculty.

Deans are required to take corrective action, within the scope of their authority, as soon as they become aware of a situation that involves non‐adherence to policy and procedures, or laws and bylaws. Situations requiring further assistance or intervention must be reported to the appropriate University authority.