Work Safe Alberta: We’re Here to Help!

An update on new and upcoming Government of Alberta OHS information

resources

Dave Wojcicki, M.Sc., CRSP

Health and Safety ConferenceOctober 29, 2015

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Why am I here?

• The GOA produces information resources for people at all levels of understanding in nearly all industries

• They’re free!• There are forms, templates, booklets in paper

and electronic iterations• Almost everything developed is done in

partnership with YOU!

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Our newest?

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Idea to Project

• Partnerships• Call for Information – regional meetings

– Relevant and specific information– Information/practices/tools that have broad application– General use regardless of industry sector

• Best practice documents

• Policy and procedure document

• Training manual

• eLearning program

• Published resources (web, video, CD, etc.)

Working Groups

• Selection considered: – Submitted information – Organizations with expressed interest to participate– Subject matter expertise

• Terms of Reference– Roles and responsibilities– Timeline– Meeting frequency – Goals for each resource

• Contractors – Writer– Designer

Leading Indicators Resource

Resources’ Purpose

• Leading Indicators – Inform and influence the adoption of the most effective

leading performance indicators that have an impact in preventing work-related illnesses, injuries and fatalities, to improve the health and safety of Alberta worksites.

– The target audience of this resource is Alberta’s

employers. The document may be applicable to any employer and will not be tailored for any particular industry group.

Working Group Membership

• ATCO Electric • Chemco Electrical Contractors Ltd.• Construction Owners Association of Alberta• Devon Canada Corporation • Enform• Imperial Oil Limited• Institute for Work & Health• Occupational Health and Safety (Partnerships

and Delivery)

Contents of Resource

• Background• Purpose of leading indicators• Strengths of leading indicators• Challenges• Choosing a leading indicator• How to implement• How to use/benefit from the information• Resources• Appendix

Overview • Information to assist organizations that are

looking for ways to improve their OHS outcomes

• Provide a broad knowledge base – everything not applicable

• Stimulate conversations that you can have about this topic in the workplace

• Performance level influence selection of LIs

• Three broad categories of user:– Focus on compliance

– Focus on improvement

– Focus on continuous learning

Focus on Compliance

• Organization in early stages• Performance requires improvement • Start with a few key leading indicators• Expand or build based on what you discover

E.g. confirming hazard assessments are actually being completed and workers are involved in the process

• Yes/no, counts

Focus on Improvement

• Organizations are more established in OHS• Performing beyond basic requirements• E.g. how often health and safety topics are

discussed at meetings or how often management “walks the floor”

Focus on Continuous Learning

• Organization has mature OHS culture• Consistently high level of OHS performance • Looking for deeper knowledge • E.g. what per cent of the communications

budget is dedicated to OHS

Institute for Work & Health Organizational Performance Metric (IWH-OPM)

http://www.iwh.on.ca/iwh-opm-questionnaire

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Choosing a Leading Indicator (LI)

Examples of LI

Choosing an LI

• Focus on greatest impact• Identify any BPs • Select LIs that relate to outcomes – direct ties• Start with 2-3

– Proficient with mining the information– Knowing which “intervention” lead to change

• Select LIs that align with existing OHS management program to ensure accountability

• Involve others in the process • Know the limits of your LIs

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Hazard Assessment and Control: a handbook for Alberta

employers and workers

Purpose of the Handbook

• Understanding and applying the basic principles of hazard assessment

• Understanding the requirements of the Alberta OHS legislation

• Providing sample tools for use by employers and workers when conducting hazard assessment

Background Information

• Industry information on hazard assessment (submitted by CPs, Partners, and employers)

• Scanning of information from other jurisdictions (Canadian and international)

Working Group Membership

• Alberta Construction Safety Association• Civeo• Construction Owners Association of Alberta• Enform• Manufacturers’ Health and Safety

Association• UFA Co-operative• OHS (Policy, PIR, Compliance

and ISP)

Contents of Handbook• Overview

– Why do a hazard assessment– What the benefits– Common types of hazard assessments

• Formal hazard assessments– Who/When/How

• Site-specific hazard assessments– Who/When/How

Approach

• Explain basic principles – extensive use of infographics

Approach

• Highlight legislation requirements

Approach

• Provide sample step-by-step processes

Approach

• Sample forms (blank templates & completed samples)

Hazard Assessment and Control:a handbook for Alberta employersand workers

• Order printedcopies

• 1-866-415-8690

• Online version &Feedback form

Supervisor Roles and Responsibilities: an occupational

health and safety handbook

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Purpose of the Handbook

• To assist Alberta employers and workers in understanding the roles and responsibilities of being a supervisor

• The requirements of the Alberta OHS legislation

• Educating employers on how to train and hire a supervisor

Target Audience

• This document is targeted at employers and workers who work or interact in a supervisory role

• This resource is also aimed to be used at singular worksites, as well as employers with multiple or mobile locations

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Working Group Membership

• Alberta Energy Regulator• ATCO Electric• Canadian Home Builders’ Association• UFA Co-operative• Alberta Health Services• OHS (PIR, Compliance and ISP)

Contents of Handbook

• Overview– Who is a ‘supervisor’?– The supervisor’s role in OHS

• Supporting employer H&S program– Hazard ID & controls– Inspection template, checklist– Investigation & TAPs

• Contractors− Supervisor responsibilities

• Qualities of an effective supervisor

Example – Hazard Controls

Incident Example

Inspection Template

Checklist

• Online version &feedback form

What’s coming next?

Two new information resources are in development:

•Retail– Occupational Health and Safety Resource Guide for

Workers and Employers in the Retail Sector

•Healthcare– Occupational Health and Safety Resource Guide for

Healthcare Workers

•Other resources are too early in devlopment, or do not have an end date

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Retail

• An occupational health and safety retail resource guide that will provide workers and employers information such as:– Principles of OHS (including information on hazard

assessment & control)– Requirements of the Alberta OHS legislation– Health and safety tips addressing common workplace

hazards in the retail workplace.

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Healthcare

• An occupational health and safety resource guide that will provide worker information such as:– Basic principles of OHS (including information on

hazard assessment & control)– Requirements of the Alberta OHS legislation– Examples of healthcare related workplace hazards and

control measures

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Where to find?

• work.alberta.ca/occupational-health-safety/13568.html#practices • worksafe.alberta.ca

• Contact the Call Centre• 1-866-415-8690• whs@gov.ab.ca

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Thanks

Questions?