HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-12-018 - Corporate Health and Safety PolicyREPORT TO:Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
February 27, 2012
SUBMITTED BY:
Dan Chapman, Deputy CAO Finance & Corporate Services
PREPARED BY:
Angela Kotlarchuk, Interim Supervisor Corporate Health &
Safety, 519-741-2254
WARD(S) INVOLVED: N/A
DATE OF REPORT: January 27, 2012
REPORT NO.: FCS-12-018
SUBJECT:
CORPORATE HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Corporate Health and Safety Policy (II-120) as attached to report FCS-12-018 be
approved.
BACKGROUND:
The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires an employer to prepare and review at least
annually a written occupational health and safety policy and post it in the workplace.
The policy is meant to reinforce the City’s commitment to the prevention of illness and injuries
as well as demonstrate our commitment to continuous improvement around health and safety
performance and practices.
The existing policy was approved in December 2001, amended in August 2008 and reviewed in
May 2010. A newly drafted policy is being submitted for Council’s review.
REPORT:
With the inception of the People Plan in 2008 a renewed importance was placed on creating a
culture at the City of Kitchener that values safety and wellbeing. The People Plan gave the
direction to develop a comprehensive corporate safety strategy that would help the organization
progress toward a stronger culture of safety and wellbeing.
As an outcome of a consultation with staff, audit and gap analysis, three strategic areas of focus
were identified that establish our corporate health and safety strategic direction for the next
three years. The Health and Safety Policy was subsequently reviewed in order to ensure that it
aligns with these areas of focus.
A draft policy was presented to Directors and Deputy CAO’s as well as the five Joint Health and
Safety Committees for review. The updated policy attached to this report incorporates their
feedback and has their support.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The People Plan directs the corporation to further the development of a culture of safety by
promoting excellence in health and safety across all departments. It encourages staff to work
and live safely as the right and smart thing to do and advises employees that they are not only
responsible for their own safety, but also for that of co-workers and citizens. The newly drafted
policy being submitted supports the direction of the People Plan and reinforces the corporation’s
commitment to continuously improve health and safety across the organization. It also highlights
that every employee or person doing work for the City shares equal responsibility for health and
safety in the workplace and encourages every employee to make a commitment to health,
safety and wellness as a way of life at work and at home.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dan Chapman, Deputy CAO
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COUNCIL POLICY RESOLUTION
POLICY NUMBER APPROVED:
: II-120 December 10, 2001
Amended: August 5, 2008
Reviewed: May 10, 2010
Amended:
POLICY TYPE
: HUMAN RESOURCES
SUBJECT
: HEALTH AND SAFETY
POLICY APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYEE CLASSIFICATION(S)
All Employees
PURPOSE:
To provide for safe working practices and a safe working environment which the City
believes are prime considerations in managing all departments.
POLICY STATEMENT:
The Corporation of the City of Kitchener envisions a work environment that fosters a
culture of safety and wellbeing where all employees are encouraged to live well, work
well and be safe.
Through our People Plan and Corporate Health and Safety Strategy, we undertake to
promote excellence in and continuously improve health and safety across the
organization. The City is committed to creating and maintaining a culture of safety and a
safe workplace through the setting of annual objectives and targets in the areas of
accountability, safe behaviour and safe environment.
We will comply with all applicable occupational health and safety legislation and
establish and maintain programs to identify and control workplace hazards and to assist
in maintaining safe conditions and work practices that protect the health of our
employees.
We will ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees by making sure they receive
appropriate support, training, resources, tools and personal protective equipment to
perform their jobs safely.
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The City is a workplace that supports and promotes employee participation in health
and safety activities, including participation as Joint Health and Safety Committee
members and Health and Safety Representatives.
As employees of the City of Kitchener, we are all expected to work safely, wear
appropriate personal protective equipment, report hazards and violations of the Act and
look out for the safety of co-workers and the public.
Each and every employee or person doing work for the City shares equal responsibility
for health and safety in the workplace.
The City encourages all employees to make a personal commitment to health, safety
and wellness as a way of life at work and at home.
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