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February 16, 1998
To: Corporate Services Committee
From: Brenda Glover, Commissioner of Human Resources
Subject: Corporate Occupational Health and Safety Policy
Purpose:
This report proposes a new Corporate Occupational Health and Safety Policy for the City of Toronto.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
None
Recommendations:
It is recommended that
the new Corporate Occupational Health and Safety Policy be endorsed;
this policy be implemented across all City departments and posted in a conspicuous location in each workplace.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires an employer to Aprepare and review at least annually a written occupational health and safety policy and develop and maintain a program to implement the policy@ and to Apost at a conspicuous location in the workplace, a copy of the occupational health and safety policy@.
While each of the former municipalities comprising the new City had corporate health and safety policies in place and posted, the new City must develop and post one uniform policy in its various workplaces.
The attached Policy was developed by health and safety representatives from all seven of the former municipalities. It was shared with all unions for purposes of input, and while there were no formal responses there is no indication of any opposition to the policy=s contents.
Comments:
The Policy is the first formal step towards implementation of a new health and safety program for the City. However, there have been a number of activities undertaken jointly over the past year by the various health and safety representatives of the former seven municipalities to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of all staff. These include:
The continuing operation of one hundred and sixty-nine joint health and safety workplace committees, in workplaces exceeding twenty staff, and fifty-eight health and safety representatives in workplaces of less than twenty employees. The committees and representatives will continue to review workplace hazards and make recommendations to improve health and safety.
An introductory information meeting between health and safety representatives from the former municipalities with representatives from all municipal unions in September of 1997.
Identification and examination of all existing health and safety programs for the purpose of recommending unified programming throughout the City.
The sharing of health and safety resources and expertise among the seven former municipalities for the purpose of saving the costs of engaging external consultants. For example, those former municipalities without internal occupational hygiene, health and safety training, and ergonomic expertise are sharing these resources with those organizations who have them in-house.
Liaison between City health and safety representatives and representatives of the City=s Purchasing division for the purpose of ensuring the acquisition of safety equipment and materials.
The new Policy, once approved by Council, will be communicated to all employees. Procedures defining roles and responsibilities arising from this Policy will be included in a comprehensive Corporate Health and Safety manual which is under development.
Conclusion:
Adoption and posting of a Corporate Health and Safety Policy fulfills the dual objectives of demonstrating commitment to the well-being of staff as well as the legislated requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Such a policy is merely the context for further development of a complete health and safety program, which development is underway.
Contact Name:
Patrick Kelly
Senior Director of Human Resources
York Civic Service Centre
394-2598
Brenda Glover
Commissioner of Human Resources
Margaret Rodrigues
Acting Executive Commissioner
Corporate Services
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