Corporate Occupational Health and Safety Policy

The Corporate Services Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (March 30, 1998) from the Executive Director of Human Resources subject to adding to the first condition in the Policy Statement before the word "priority", the words "commitment of the highest", so that such condition shall now read as follows:

"(1) protecting the health and safety of all employees is a commitment of the highest priority;"

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:

(1) the new Corporate Occupational Health and Safety Policy be endorsed; and

(2) this policy be implemented across all City departments and posted in a conspicuous location in each workplace.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At its meeting of February 16, 1998, the Corporate Services Committee referred back to the Executive Director of Human Resources a report recommending a new corporate Occupational Health and Safety policy. The Executive Director was to provide the Committee with the previous policies existing in each of the former municipalities. This report includes those policies and explains how the recommended policy was developed.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires an employer to "prepare and review at least annually a written occupational health and safety policy and develop and maintain a program to implement the policy" and to "post 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 (Appendix 1) was developed by senior health and safety representatives from all seven of the former municipalities. The process was initiated by collecting and reviewing the corporate policy statements from each of the municipalities (Appendix 2). Several brainstorming sessions led to the completion of a first draft incorporating common key phrases and philosophies taken from the various municipal documents. Subsequent meetings of the group resulted in a recommended draft to the Human Resource Directors Team. The approved draft was shared with all unions for purposes of input, and there was no indication of 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:

(1) 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.

(2) An introductory information meeting between health and safety representatives from the former municipalities with representatives from all municipal unions in September of 1997.

(3) Identification and examination of all existing health and safety programs for the purpose of recommending unified programming throughout the City.

(4) 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.

(5) Liaison between City health and safety representatives and representatives of the City's Purchasing division to ensure that health, safety and ergonomic factors are considered as part of the purchasing process.

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

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Appendix 1

January 1998

Policy Statement:

The City of Toronto will provide and maintain safe and healthy working conditions for all employees in keeping with the legislative requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. To fulfill this commitment the city will:

(1) meet or exceed required health and safety standards by following the best practices;

(2) recognize the importance of consulting and cooperating with health and safety committees and representatives when developing and implementing programs and procedures; and

(3) provide training and education specific to job requirements.

Application:

This policy applies to all City of Toronto employees.

Conditions:

The following conditions will guide the development and implementation of all health and safety programs and procedures:

(1) Protecting the health and safety of all employees is a priority.

(2) Management will take an active leadership role in promoting a safe and healthy work environment.

(3) Management and employees share the responsibility for reducing accidents and absenteeism by performing their jobs in a safe and healthy manner.

(4) Good management systems and practices will be developed with employee involvement and cooperation to minimize injuries and costly property damage losses.

(5) Health and safety practices will be based on scientific principles and acceptable standards.

(6) Information about health and safety programs will be made accessible to employees.

(7) Employees will be informed of any known safety or health hazards.

(8) Programs and practices will be monitored on a regular basis to ensure they are in keeping with required standards.

Implementation:

The policy statement is intended to provide direction for the development of all health and safety programs and procedures.

References:

Occupational Health and Safety Act

Approved by:

Date Approved:

Date Revised:

(A copy of the previous health and safety policies existing in each of the former municipalities referred to in the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the March 30, 1998, agenda of the Corporate Services Committee and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)