Health and Safety Policy and Program

Adopted on September 25, 2014

Approval Authority: CUASA Council, Employee-Employer Relations Committee
Mandatory Review Date: September 2017

The program that implements this policy can be found here.

Definitions

“Act” is defined as the Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended.
The definition of “Employee” shall be the same as the definition of Worker under the Act.

“Volunteer” is defined as an Officer of the Association (as outlined in the Association Constitution) or any non-Employee working on behalf of the Association in an official capacity.

“Workplace” is defined as the Association’s offices as well as any location where the business of the Association is being or is to be conducted.

Policy

The Carleton University Academic Staff Association is committed to the health and safety of its employees, volunteers and members while in the workplace. Protection of all individuals in the workplace from injury or occupational disease, as well as the promotion of a culture of a safe and healthy workplace that facilitates the awareness of risk and the prevention of injury and illness, is a major continuing objective. We will make every effort to provide a safe, healthy work environment.

All employers, supervisors, employees, volunteers and members must be dedicated to the continuing objective of reducing the risk of injury.

The Association will adhere to all applicable environmental and occupational health and safety legislation. The Association will adopt best practices that exceed legislated requirements as may be considered reasonable and appropriate. The Association shall work towards continuous improvement of its health and safety program.

The Association as an employer is ultimately responsible for employee health and safety. The Association commits to complying with its duties under the Act including taking every reasonable precaution for the protection of workers in the workplace.

Supervisors will be held accountable for the health and safety of the workers under their supervision. Supervisors are subject to various duties in the workplace, including the duty to ensure that equipment is safe and that employees are working in compliance with established safe work practices and procedures.

The President shall be held accountable for the health and safety of volunteers and members in the workplace. She/he shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the health and safety of individuals in the workplace is protected.

Every employee, member, and volunteer must protect his or her own health and safety by working in compliance with the law and with safe work practices and procedures established by the Association. Individuals will receive information, training, and competent supervision in their specific work tasks to protect their health and safety.

It is in the best interest of all parties to consider health and safety in every activity. Commitment to health and safety must form an integral part of this organization.

Contacts
President
President-Elect
Executive Director
Unifor Local 567 Steward (staff only)

In the event of an emergency, the Department of University Safety should be contacted at (613) 520- 4444.