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POLICY TYPE:
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Employment-Related
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POLICY TITLE:
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Health and Safety
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POLICY #:
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EMPL - 301
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RESPONSIBILITY:
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Vice President, Human Resources
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POLICY APPROVED BY:
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Durham
College
Leadership Team
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EFFECTIVE DATE:
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April 2008
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REVISED:
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REVIEW DATE:
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April 2011
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Introduction
Management of Durham College is vitally committed to the health and safety of its employees. All employees, executives, managers and directors share a legal duty and responsibility to take any action required to protect themselves and others in performing their work.
Purpose
Protection of employees from injury or occupational illness is a major, progressive objective and Durham College will make every effort to provide a safe, healthy work environment.
Definitions
"Due diligence" - an ongoing daily process of knowing your duties under law, identifying all hazards in the workplace and taking all reasonable steps to protect everyone exposed to those hazards. These reasonable steps must be communicated to all likely to encounter the hazards and that the communication was understood. Written records must be kept to support these activities.
Policy Statements
As the employer, Durham College will exercise due diligence and good industry practices through compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA) and all other relevant standards and guidelines. All supervisors and employees must be dedicated to the continuing objective of reducing the risk of injury and illness and Durham College is ultimately responsible for employees' health and safety.
Every reasonable precaution will be taken for the protection of the employees. Supervisors will be held accountable for the health and safety of employees under their supervision, while ensuring that their equipment and environment is safe. Supervisors will also ensure that their employees work in compliance with legislation and established safe work procedures. Employees will be given adequate training necessary to perform their specific work tasks to protect their health and safety and those around them.
All employees will be responsible to protect his or her own health and safety and comply with legislation and safe work practices and procedures as established by Durham College.
Durham College's commitment to its health and safety program will be reflected by encouraging the promotion and support of joint education, awareness and cooperative resolutions to control or eliminate workplace hazards.
Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of the directors and officers of the College, its supervisors, its employees and contracted services, are stipulated in the OHSA.
Non-compliance Implications
Failure to comply with the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act, its regulations and all other relevant standards and guidelines could result in injury, impairment or loss of life to college staff. If convicted of an offence under the OHSA, significant fines, individual and corporate, could result. Under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board disability insurance plan, significant surcharges could be levied on the College for poor safety performance. (High frequency and/or severity of employee injuries.)
Related Procedures
Durham College Occupational Health and Safety Management System
Related Policies and Directives
None applicable
