Module 4.1 - You are not alone
Some supervisors are promoted to their position because they were good at their previous job. They learned as much as they could about that job, the hazards involved, and how to work safely. They knew how to do their work in a safe and healthy way. But they may not be too sure about what’s involved in supervising work. Now they are a supervisor and their duties have changed. But do they know everything they need to know about this new role?
That’s the question you should ask yourself. You may know a bit about the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the various regulations that are attached to it, but do you know enough about the specific requirements of the OHSA and about which of its regulations apply to your workplace? You may have the necessary experience in the work you are being called upon to supervise, but do you know enough about what’s actually involved in supervising workers?
If you feel that you don’t have the necessary knowledge, training or experience to carry out these duties, it’s important that you talk to YOUR supervisor. Tell YOUR supervisor that you are happy to supervise people or a work area, but that you need more information and training in certain areas to do your job. Perhaps you need to attend a training course on the OHSA and its regulations. Maybe you need to learn more about how to recognize, assess and control hazards and how to evaluate the hazard controls. Maybe you want to know more about leadership skills and communication, about how to develop your listening skills and about what the workers expect from their supervisor. The University needs to give you the tools to become a competent supervisor.
Even when you have the necessary knowledge, training and experience to be a competent supervisor, fixing a health and safety problem will sometimes be beyond your control. Maybe it’s a hazard that affects all staff members. Or it might cost a lot of money to fix and you may not be able to approve that expense. If this happens, you need to let the University know that you need help to solve the problem. Gather ideas from workers and from your health and safety committee. Together, you can figure out the best way to eliminate or control the hazard. The workers need to know that you will do what’s right for them, and you need to know that the University will do what’s right for everyone. As we saw in earlier modules, the OHSA supports a coordinated approach to workplace health and safety by giving everybody duties according to their position in the workplace. The higher your position, the greater your duties and responsibilities. When you combine all of these duties, you get a strong Internal Responsibility System.
Module 4.2 - Where else can I get help?
Sometimes you just might not know the answer to a question. We’re all human – no one person knows everything. Often, the answer is right there in your workplace. You can find answers in your workplace health and safety policies and procedures, in the safety data sheets that come with hazardous materials, in equipment operating manuals, or in JHSC recommendations. Take a look at these documents; you will probably find more than what you were looking for.
You can also talk to your supervisor, or to your Faculty health and safety resources, or the Office of the Chief Risk Officer. You can also look outside the University for an industry-accepted best practice. You can find information (both internally and externally) from the following sources:
Protection Services (ext. 5411) is the University’s own emergency response team. Protection Services has offices on every campus (main, Roger Guindon and Lees), which you should contact immediately when on-campus emergency occurs. Dial ext. 5411 on any University phone or 613-562-5411 from a cellphone. If your office is located off campus, where Protection cannot immediately respond in the event of an emergency situation, call 911. When it is safe to do so, report the matter to Protection Services.
Health and Wellness Office (ext. 1473) — Promotes physical, psychological and social wellbeing and works to help employees by:
- managing cases involving short- or long-term absences;
- promoting rehabilitation following long absences;
- promoting proper ergonomics in the workplace;
- following up with employees who report health problems caused by their work environment;
- holding health and wellness activities, vaccination clinics, etc.;
- assisting employees who require workplace accommodations;
- promoting the Employee Assistance Program (EAP);
- providing information to managers and supervisors on interpreting leave-related policies and procedures;
- assessing the fitness level of employees who must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform their work duties;
- monitoring the health of employees who work with designated substances or other hazardous substances;
- following up with employees who have been exposed to hazardous substances or who have been injured in the workplace;
The team consists of occupational health nurses. All discussions are kept confidential.
Facilities (ext. 2222) — keeps the University running. This service is involved in everything from capital construction projects to minor repairs. If you notice anything requiring immediate repair or something that needs to be installed, contact your facility manager. You can also reach the Call Centre directly at ext. 2222. Less urgent matters can be reported by email to [email protected]. Once a call centre staff member receives your request, they will forward it to the appropriate sector (grounds, plumbing, electrical, locksmiths, instrumentation, architectural, etc.).
Examples of service work include:
- Salting sidewalks and pathways (you can also use the self-serve buckets located throughout campus for smaller areas);
- Repairing walkways;
- Changing light bulbs;
- Repairing water leaks;
- Cleaning minor non-hazardous spills (juice, liquids, etc.);
- Eliminating bad odours;
- Repairing blocked toilets;
- Handling special requests (special garbage collection, cleaning).
Office of the Chief Risk Officer ([email protected]) — Located at 139 Louis-Pasteur, the Office of the Chief Risk Officer is committed to promoting an environmentally responsible, safe and healthy workplace for University staff, faculty, students and visitors, while supporting uOttawa’s mission of teaching and research.
In addition to these internal resources, you can also find information from resources outside the University. Some examples include:
Ministry of Labour
Develops, communicates and enforces occupational health and safety requirements and employment standards. Develops, coordinates and implements strategies to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, and can set standards for health and safety training.
1-877-202-0008
www.labour.gov.on.ca
Ontario Labour Relations Board
The Ontario Labour Relations Board is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal mandated to mediate and adjudicate a variety of employment and labour relations-related matters under a number of Ontario statutes.
http://www.olrb.gov.on.ca/
Workers Health & Safety Centre
An occupational health and safety training centre for workers, representatives and employers.
1-888-869-7950
www.whsc.on.ca
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers
Six medical clinics located across Ontario that provide occupational health services and information.
1-877-817-0336
www.ohcow.on.ca
Health & Safety Ontario
There are four health and safety associations that provide sector-specific consulting, training, products and services.
• Infrastructure Health and Safety Association — serves the electrical, construction and transportation sectors. 1-800-263-5024
• Public Services Health and Safety Association — serves the health, education and municipal sectors. 1-877-250-7444
• Workplace Safety North — serves the mining, pulp and paper and forestry sectors. 1-888-730-7821
• Workplace Safety and Prevention Services — serves the industrial, farming and service sectors. 1-877-494-9777
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
The WSIB administers Ontario’s no-fault workplace insurance for employers and their workers.
1-800-387-0750
www.wsib.on.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
A resource for all jurisdictions across Canada that includes posters, fact sheets and information.
1-800-668-4284
www.ccohs.ca