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POLICY #2015-06-15
MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY OF PICTOU
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY POLICIES
SAFETY
The Municipality of the County of Pictou is committed to a strong safety program that
protects its staff, its property, and the public from accidents.
Employees at every level, including management, are responsible and accountable for
the Municipality's overall safety initiatives. Complete and active participation by
everyone, everyday, in every job is necessary for the safety excellence the Municipality
expects. Management supports coordination of safety among all workers on the job site.
Management supports participation in the program by all employees and provides proper
equipment, training and procedures. All employees are responsible for following all
procedures, working safely, and wherever possible, improving safety measures.
An injury and accident free workplace is our goal. Through continuous safety and loss
control effort, we can accomplish this.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to minimize injuries to employees by utilizing personal
protective equipment.
All employees, guests and visitors will wear appropriate C.S.A. approved Personal
Protective Equipment required for the job site.
All PPE used by the Municipality will be within the requirements of the Nova Scotia
Occupational Health & Safety Act and C.S.A. standards.
All PPE used by the Municipality will be maintained in accordance with manufacturer's
instructions & requirements.
Municipally issued PPE will be inspected at the time of issue and before each use by the
employee using the PPE.
All PPE that is of questionable reliability, damaged, or in need of service or repair will be
removed from service immediately.
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All PPE that has been removed from service will be tagged "OUT OF SERVICE". Any
PPE tagged "OUT OF SERVICE" will not be returned to service until repaired and
inspected by a qualified person.
The Municipality will maintain appropriate inspection and service logs for specialty PPE.
No piece of PPE will be modified or changed contrary to manufacturer's instructions or
specifications or the Nova Scotia Occupational Health & Safety Act.
MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
All tools and equipment shall be properly maintained so as to reduce risk of injuries to
employees or damage to property.
Supervision shall ensure that all preventive maintenance is carried out by qualified
personnel according to established schedules and that records are maintained.
All employees shall regularly check all tools and equipment that they are working with,
and shall take out of service any tools or equipment that poses a hazard due to a need
for repair.
SAFETY TRAINING
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide for general specialized safety and related training
throughout all levels of the organization.
Policy
The Municipality will provide, and employees will participate in, all safety and related
training that is necessary to minimize losses of human and physical resources of the
Municipality.
This training will include, but not be limited to:
- New hire safety orientations;
- Job-specific training;
- Task and trade-specific training and certification;
- WHMIS in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act;
- First Aid in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act;
- Tracking System;
- Specialized safety and related training.
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INSPECTION
It is the policy of this Municipality to maintain a program of safety inspections. The
objective of this program is to control hazards in the workplace.
All Municipal facilities and job-sites shall be included in the inspection program.
Informal inspections shall be conducted by supervisors, or designate, on an ongoing basis
in their areas of responsibility.
Formal inspections shall be conducted by the supervisor or designate at each facility or
job-site at a minimum of once yearly.
INVESTIGATION
Purpose
To investigate incidents, including those that fall under the jurisdiction of the Anti-
Harassment Policy and the Violence in the Workplace Prevention Policy, so that causes
can be determined and corrective actions can be implemented to prevent recurrence.
Policy
In this Municipality, the following types of incidents shall be fully investigated:
1.
Accidents that result in injuries requiring medical aid;
2.
Accidents that cause property damage or interrupt operation;
3.
Incidents that have the potential to result in (1) or (2) above;
4.
All incidents that, by regulation, must be reported to Department of Labour,
WCB, or other regulatory agencies.
5.
Incidents involving harassment or violence.
Responsibilities
1.
All employees shall report all incidents to their immediate superior.
2.
Supervisors shall conduct initial investigations and promptly submit their reports
to the CAO.
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3.
The CAO shall review all supervisors' reports, determine corrective action to be
taken, and ensure that such action is implemented.
4.
Where the investigation involves an allegation of harassment, the employee to
whom the complaint is directed against shall be informed that the complaint has
been filed and is under investigation.
ENVIRONMENTAL
The Municipality of the County of Pictou will ensure that the proper safeguards are taken
to protect our environment.
All individuals will have responsibilities and will take the necessary action to protect the
environment. The Municipality will ensure that land and vegetation, water and fisheries,
air, wildlife and wildlife habitat will be protected.
The Municipality will train and educate its employees on environmental issues that may
affect their work. Employees will also have a good understanding of environmental
practices and what measures are needed to control them.
We shall use, store, and dispose of products in such a manner that will provide
appropriate protection to the environment through our waste management program.
Management will develop and enforce good environmental standards in accordance with
relevant legislation.
All environmental incidents will be reported, ensuring compliance to statutory obligations.
VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE PREVENTION
PURPOSE
This Municipality of the County of Pictou is committed to a policy of zero tolerance for
violence. No elected or appointed official, employee or volunteer shall engage in any
violence in the workplace, or threaten violence in the workplace. The Municipality of the
County of Pictou will not tolerate talk of violence or joking about violence.
"Violence" includes physically harming another, shoving, pushing, harassing, intimidating,
coercing, brandishing weapons, and threatening or talking of engaging in those activities.
It is the intent of this policy to ensure that everyone associated with the Municipality, never
feels threatened by any individual's actions or conduct.
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POLICY
1.
That all municipal employees, contractors, subcontractors and vendors comply
with the following Violence in the Workplace Prevention Policy.
2.
Any employee who fears for their personal safety or for the safety of others should
not hesitate to call police assistance at 9-1-1.
3.
Any person who makes threats, exhibits threatening behavior, or engages in
violent acts on municipally-owned or leased property may be removed from the
premises pending the outcome of an investigation.
4.
Threats, threatening behavior, or other acts of violence executed off municipally
owned or leased property but directed at municipal employees or members of the
public while conducting official municipal business, is a violation of this policy. Off-
site threats include but are not limited to threats made via the telephone, fax,
electronic or conventional mail, or any other communication medium.
5.
Violations of this policy will lead to disciplinary action. In addition, if the source of
such inappropriate behavior is a member of the public, the response may also
include barring the person(s) from municipally-owned or leased premises,
termination of business relationships with that individual, and/or prosecution of the
person(s) involved.
6.
Employees are responsible for notifying their immediate supervisor of any threats,
which they have witnessed, received, or have been told that another person has
witnessed or received. Employees should also report any behavior they have
witnessed which they regard as threatening or violent when that behavior is job
related or might be carried out on municipally-owned or leased property or in
connection with municipal employment.
7.
Violations of this policy, including knowingly providing a false report, can lead to
disciplinary action up to dismissal from employment.
8.
All managers, employees and other persons who are aware of a complaint, or
involved in its resolution, must recognize the seriousness of the situation and
respect the sensitivity and confidentiality that must be accorded to the matter.
9.
All information and documentation concerning a complaint will therefore be kept
and transmitted as confidential/protected material. Those who do not fully respect
such confidentiality may be subject to discipline.
10.
All employees must cooperate fully when questioned regarding violations of this
policy.
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All weapons banned
11.
With the exception of tools required for the performance of work-related duties, the
Municipality of the County of Pictou specifically prohibits the possession of
weapons by any employee while on municipal property. This ban includes keeping
or transporting a weapon in a vehicle in a parking area, whether public or private.
Employees are also prohibited from carrying a weapon while performing municipal
services off the company's business premises.
12.
Weapons include guns, knives, explosives, and other items with the potential to
inflict harm. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any employee who
violates this policy.
Inspections
13.
Desks, telephones, and computers are the property of the municipality. The
Municipality reserves the right to enter or inspect any work area including, but not
limited to, desks and computer storage disks, for the purpose of investigating a
complaint made pursuant to this policy.
Employee Assistance Program
14.
The Municipality provides an employee assistance program (EAP) for all full-time
and part-time employees. This EAP offers services to these employees and their
eligible dependents. While we receive periodic reports on the number and types
of visits or calls made to the EAP, we do not receive information about individual
contacts with the EAP.
15.
Employees are encouraged to use the EAP whenever they feel the need for
guidance in coping with life's difficulties. If you have difficulty handling drugs or
alcohol, the EAP can provide information on treatment. The EAP is a confidential
service to be used when you need help.
16.
In the event of a major workplace incident that affects, or has the potential to affect,
the mental health of our workforce, the municipality may provide initial counseling
and support services to employees and immediate family members.
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As the crisis passes and support systems are put into place for individuals affected by the
incident, the municipality will make every effort to return to normal business operations.
A reasonable effort will be made to notify employees, customers, stockholders, and others
who need to know of the status of business operations directly whenever possible. In
cases where direct contact is not possible or practical, an effort will be made to
communicate through the news media and other available resources.
All former policies with respect to occupational health & safety are hereby
repealed.
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