Intent

The West Egg Group acknowledges it has a statutory duty to take all reasonable precautions to protect employees, contractors, volunteers, visitors, and all other individuals onsite. Protecting employees from injury or occupational disease from accidents or incidents is a continuing objective. 

We will make every effort to provide a safe and healthy work environment for all staff. We believe all accidents are preventable and active participation at all levels will help ensure accidents are avoided. Supervisors and workers must refrain from any actions or activities that could jeopardize the health and safety of others and must work to reduce the risk of injury.

We are committed to promoting a safe and healthy workplace for all employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors. In pursuit of our commitment, we will develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures that promote and provide a healthier, safer work environment. We understand the importance of safety to the well-being and productivity of our employees and strive to safeguard the workplace from injury and malfeasance through negligence.

This policy outlines the responsibilities of all parties in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. The West Egg Group will act in compliance with all applicable workplace health and safety legislation.

Guidelines

Communication

The West Egg Group encourages open communication on health and safety issues. Open communication is essential to providing an accident-free and productive work environment.

• Employees who voice or identify a health and safety concern will not be subject to reprisal or retaliation.
• Health and safety comments will be reviewed by the human resources manager, Silvia Santos who will initiate an investigation on each reported or potential hazard.
• Employees should inform their supervisor or human resources of any matter they perceive to be an actual or potential workplace hazard.
• Communication can be written or verbal.

Responsibilities

Employers will:

• Supply an effective strategy to manage the occupational health and safety concerns of the company.
• Allocate and govern resources properly to achieve the health and safety requirements of employees, and that policies comply with the company’s legal obligations.
• Foster a workplace culture of safety with appropriate leadership.
• Review policies annually for compliance and efficiency, and revise where necessary.
• Provide all relevant parties with a copy of all orders or reports issued to the employer by a Ministry of Labour inspector and inform the committee of any work-related incidents involving injury, death, or occupational illness.

Managers and supervisors will:

• Help develop, implement, and enforce company policies and procedures.
• Continually promote health and safety awareness with instruction, information, training, and supervision to ensure the safe performance of employees.
• Use the process of hazard identification, risk management, and incident investigation.
• Perform occupational health and safety inspections of the workplace to identify and control any and all hazards to employees.
• Be accountable for the health and safety of employees under their supervision.
• Ensure that machinery and equipment are safe and that employees work in compliance with established safe work practices and procedures.
• Ensure that employees receive adequate training in their specific work tasks to protect their health and safety.
• Conduct and/or participate in health and safety meetings.

Human resources will:

• Liaise with government agencies to ensure workplace health and safety compliance.
• Advise management on safety and health policy issues.
• Coordinate health and safety inspections, and follow up to ensure the completion of necessary corrective actions.
• Develop best practices that support a strong health and safety program.
• Design and develop accident and incident reports and investigation procedures.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of applicable health and safety regulations as mandated locally, provincially, or federally.
• Design and develop company policies and procedures related to workplace safety and health issues.
• Review injury and illness trends, and identify problem areas and solutions.

Employees will:

• Comply with occupational health and safety policies and procedures.
• Notify managers of any health and safety concerns, so they may be dealt with promptly.
• Protect their own health and safety by working in compliance with the law, safe work practices, and procedures established by the company.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment as required.
• Report unsafe or potentially hazardous conditions, without fear of reprisal, to their manager or human resources.

All staff will:

• Complete required occupational health and safety training.
• Perform duties in a manner conducive to a safe workplace, following all safety practices and procedures.
• Report any incident, injury, or hazard as outlined in company procedures.
• Report any acts of violence or harassment in the workplace.
• Promote a hazard-free workplace.
• Learn the posted emergency plan detailing the facility’s procedures pertaining to fire, weather, or medical emergency.

Joint health and safety committee members or health and safety representative will:

• Commit to improving health and safety conditions in the workplace.
• Stimulate and raise awareness of health and safety issues in the workplace.
• Recognize and identify workplace risks and hazards.
• Develop recommendations to address risks and hazards.
• Conduct regular workplace inspections and make written recommendations.
  

• Develop and implement accident prevention and health and safety programs.
• Listen to employee complaints, concerns, and suggestions.
• Participate in health and safety inquiries and investigations.
• Advise on health and safety matters, such as personal protective equipment.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of near misses, accidents, and injuries.
• Promote and monitor compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Monitor the effectiveness of existing health and safety programs and policies, and assist with the implementation of improvements.
• Attend regular committee meetings.

Reporting Structures

Any concerns or near misses should be reported to the health and safety committee or representative and the appropriate manager. Employees who voice or identify a health and safety concern will not be subject to reprisal or retaliation.

If an emergency occurs, employees must immediately report the incident to the Operations Manager, Cooper Kelloway-Lee. Appropriate responses will be dictated by the severity of the event and its effect on the health and safety of employees, visitors, and property.

An emergency is any number of unsafe conditions that pose a threat to people or property. This includes fire or smoke; natural disasters or severe weather; chemical, biological, or radiological incidents; and structural failures.