Guides & Toolkits

3 © 2011, Safe Workplace Promotion Services Ontario, publicly known as Workplace Safety & Prevention Services. 1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca Starting Your Health and Safety Program from suppliers and that all containers of hazardous materials are properly labelled. Identify all processes that have the potential to generate fumes, gases, mists, dusts and vapours, noise and heat or cold. Rate all identified hazards based on severity (high, medium or low), frequency (number of workers exposed, how often and for how long) and probability of injury or loss. This will enable you to establish a priority for the action needed to eliminate or minimize hazards. A Workplace Hazard Assessment Form may be used for this purpose. Hazard Control Control is best achieved by engineering controls (e.g., removal/elimination of a hazard) and administrative systems (e.g., job rotation, etc.). Take into account all relevant regulations and codes (e.g., machine guarding, noise control, hazardous materials control, the Ontario Fire Code), any applicable standards, manufacturers' specifications and industry codes of practice. Integrate safe working practices into all jobs or operating procedures. Draw up a set of general health and safety rules to be followed by all employees. Keep these to a minimum, communicate them clearly, and they will have a better chance of being understood by everyone. Personal Protective equipment (PPe) In an emergency or where controls fail, the use of personal protective equipment will offer protection against or reduce the effects of an accident. Use surveys and records to determine areas of need. Ensure that equipment meets established standards. Provide training in the selection, use, care and limitations of the equipment. Health Care Program Provide first aid facilities, including a staff person trained in first aid, in accordance with the First Aid Regulation 1101 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. Also consider pre-placement medical and regular medical tests when required by regulations under OHSA (s.26(1)(h)(i)). Communications Management's involvement, interest, concern and belief in the workplace health and safety program must be demonstrated and clearly communicated to everyone. It must be quite clear to your supervisors that production cannot compromise safety. Employees must not be placed in a situation where there is conflict between safety and production. Use personal contacts, group meetings, job training and positive behaviour reinforcement to encourage safe operations. training Under OHSA, you have a legal responsibility to provide information, instruction and supervision to protect the health and safety of workers (s.26 (1)(l)). Train all workers so that they know and understand: how to recognize hazards and associated risks the safety procedures and precautions they have to follow their legal responsibilities Studies indicate that workers in the first months of their employment are involved in a disproportionate number of accidents. It is also safe to assume that damaged goods, lost time, rework and other loss- producing incidents occur with higher frequency

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