Company Safety Policy "Sample #3"

The management of this company is committed to providing active leadership and complete support in order to develop and maintain:

n A program designed to prevent human pain and suffering from personal injury and to prevent economic losses from property damage.

n A program that prepares all personnel to care for victims of an accident or sudden illness until professional medical help is available.

n A program that ensures the security, protection and well-being of personnel and property at our office and job site, by preventing and controlling physical violence and misconduct, theft and sabotage.

n Complete endorsement, active participation, and enthusiastic cooperation of this vital program by everyone.

Signature: / Date:

* The safety information in this policy does not take precedence over applicable government legislation, with which all employees should be familiar.


Company Safety Policy "Sample #4"

This company is committed to a strong safety program that protects its staff, its property and the public from accidents.

Employees at every level, including management, are responsible and accountable for the company's overall safety initiatives. Complete and active participation by everyone, every day, in every job is necessary for the safety excellence the company expects. The management supports the coordination and cooperation of all workers concerning safety on the job site.

The management encourages all employees to participate in the program and provides proper equipment, training and procedures. Employees are responsible for following all procedures, working safely, and, wherever possible, improving safety measures.

An injury and accident-free workplace is our goal. Through continuous safety and loss control efforts, we can accomplish this.

Signature: / Date:

5

* The safety information in this policy does not take precedence over applicable government legislation, with which all employees should be familiar.

Principles of Health and Safety Management


Assignment of Responsibilities

Responsibility can be defined as an individual's obligation to carry out assigned duties. For a safety program to achieve its desired results, everyone in the organization must know his/her responsibilities. While the Safety Policy Statement contains a general reference to responsibilities, management must determine specific responsibilities for themselves and for everyone in the organization.

Don't Get Too Specific

Remember, the assignment of responsibilities is restricted only to safety responsibilities. Don't fall into the trap of beginning to list complete job descriptions, since this will water down the importance of safety and create confusion. Also, while the assignment of responsibilities must be a complete list customized to your company's type of work and organizational structure, avoid becoming too legalistic. For example, don't list the specific type of personal protective equipment that must be worn by a worker — simply state that all workers must use the personal protective equipment specified by the employer and/or required by the nature of the work. This way you have flexibility to make changes as circumstances warrant. The specifics can be covered under Safe Work Practices and Safety Rules.

Step #2 - Assignment of Responsibilities

The pages that follow offer samples of assignments of responsibilities designed for organizations of various sizes. Here again, select, customize one of these samples, or create your own version.

Assignment of Responsibilities should be placed immediately after "Company Safety Policy" statement, behind the first divider.

©Alberta Construction Safety Association Revised March 2004

21

Sample

Assignments of

Responsibility

6

©Alberta Construction Safety Association Revised March 2004

24

Assignment of Responsibility and Accountability for Safety “Sample #1”

Managers

n Provide a Statement of Policy relating to the safety program. The statement provides a commitment and philosophy that sets levels of expectations for safety performance throughout the company.

n Maintain overall control of the Safety and Loss Prevention Program.

n Ensure all established safety policies are administered and enforced in all areas.

n Ensure that all field operations personnel are aware of and effectively practice the policies and procedures set out in the safety program.

Superintendents

n Ensure that the safety policies are implemented in each project they pertain to.

n Ensure that the highest standards of performance are maintained according to the safety program on their job sites. They are also accountable for the safe performance of personnel and equipment on their project sites.

n Implement a Site Safety Program and develop a clear understanding of safety responsibilities and specific duties for each foreman or supervisor. They must be knowledgeable about and responsible for complying with all legislation, laws, and codes.

n Hold at least one safety meeting biweekly with foremen to review safety conditions and general safety policies. Ensure that subtrades and foremen conduct weekly toolbox meetings. Where there are only a few employees, Superintendents shall conduct a weekly toolbox meeting with all project personnel in attendance.

n Arrange to record the minutes of safety committee meetings and forward copies to the Manager.

n Make daily observations of safety activities on the project.

n Accompany the government O.H. & S. Inspector or designate during a project inspection. If he/she is not available, Superintendents will assign another Supervisor to the inspection.

n Make themselves aware of the hazards that exist for the short-term, temporary and new worker who is new to construction activities. Ensure that new employees receive detailed safety instructions before they are allowed to start work. Assign new employees to work with other employees who are familiar with the project and are aware of any specific safety rules and legislation that are in force.

n Formulate for all new employees a detailed hiring route, which includes a review of the project safety rules and legislation before the employees start to work (New Hire Orientation).

Supervisors/Foremen

n Provide safe working conditions for all workers under their supervision.

n Provide workers with instruction in safe work procedures. Supervisors shall require employees to use personal protective equipment, as appropriate, as part of their routine duties, e.g., hard hats, goggles, masks, respirators, safety glasses or other items deemed necessary.

n Correct work site conditions, which are liable to cause or have caused accidents.

n Undertake the investigation of accidents, incidents, or near misses to determine the underlying causes. Report in detail to the Superintendent and complete the required report forms on a timely basis.

n Provide a good example for employees by always directing and performing work in a safe manner.

n Conduct regular inspections for unsafe practices and conditions and ensure prompt corrective action to eliminate causes of accidents.

n Work in cooperation with other project supervisory personnel to determine safe practices, enforce their observance, develop procedures for dealing with violation and develop other general safety and accident prevention measures.

n Provide each employee with information about the hazards of his/her job and how to avoid them.

n Maintain a housekeeping standard and assign definite cleaning and organizing responsibilities to individuals.

n Enforce all established safety legislation and work methods. Take disciplinary action when necessary to ensure compliance with the rules.

n Provide a minimum of one toolbox meeting a week with their crew and record minutes on the prescribed form.

Workers

n Carry out their work in a manner that will not create a hazard to their own safety and health or the safety and health of other employees.

n Assist site supervisor(s) to reduce and control unsafe conditions and acts on the work site.

n Report any accidents, incidents, near misses and/or injuries immediately to their supervisor.

n Report any anticipated loss of work time to their supervisor as soon as possible after being treated by a physician following injury.

Page 2 of 3

Safety Administrators

n Are responsible for the daily administration of the safety program on site.

n Post all safety bulletins, safety posters, safety rules, and applicable legislation.

n Assist project Superintendent(s) to investigate accidents and to prepare accident reports and summaries.

n Ensure that pertinent safety reports are submitted as required.

n Prepare written descriptions of identified unsafe conditions and the steps taken to correct these conditions.

n Maintain a list of safety equipment purchased.

n Prepare a copy of equipment inspection reports.

n Prepare a copy of field safety inspection checklists.

n Ensure that corrective action has been taken whenever deficiencies are identified.

n Assist with safety seminars or training.

n Maintain current knowledge of safety literature, legislation, and codes of practice.

n Establish inspection schedules.

n Review accident reports to stay informed about project and company safety performance.

Note: On projects where a Safety Administrator has not been assigned, the duties described above become part of the Superintendent’s duties.

First Aid Personnel

For all jobs, the Superintendent will appoint an adequate person(s) to provide such first aid services as may be required, given the nature of the job site and government regulations. The person(s) appointed to this position shall possess an appropriate certificate in first aid in accordance with the relevant Occupational Health and Safety Legislation, and must be available at all times to administer first aid.

n Administer first aid as required.

n Maintain a first aid log.

n Order all first aid supplies and equipment.

n Maintain relations with physicians, the Workers’ Compensation Board, ambulance services and hospitals.

n Coordinate the transportation of injured employees to a physician’s office or hospital.

n Assist the Safety Administrator when necessary.

n Provide health education materials and/or instruction to all on-site employees as required.

Assignment of Responsibility and Accountability for Safety “Sample #2”

Manager’s Responsibilities:

1.  To provide information, instructions, and assistance to all supervisory staff in order to protect the health and safety of all the employees.

2.  To understand and enforce the accident prevention policy as well as the Occupational Health and Safety legislation.

3.  To provide all supervisory staff with an understanding of our accident prevention program as well as relevant Occupational Health and Safety legislation.

4.  To provide all supervisory staff with proper, well maintained tools and equipment, as well as any other special personal protective devices that may be required.

5.  To provide ongoing safety education programs and approved first aid training courses as required.

6.  To monitor departments and projects and hold them accountable for their individual safety performance.

Supervisor’s Responsibilities:

1.  To know and apply the firm’s safety policy and relevant Occupational Health and Safety legislation.

2.  To ensure that all employees are educated to work in a safe manner and that they use all protective devices and procedures required by this firm and by legislation to protect their health and safety.

3.  To warn all employees of any potential or actual dangers and to advise them how to isolate, prevent, or remove such dangers.

4.  To arrange for medical treatment when required, in the case of injury or illness, including transportation to a doctor or hospital when necessary.

5.  To report all accidents immediately, to investigate all accidents fully, and to advise management on how to prevent similar accidents in the future.

6.  To carry out regular inspections of the work place to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

Worker’s Responsibilities:

1.  To read, understand, and comply with this firm’s safety policy, safe work practices, procedures, and rules.

2.  To wear the safety equipment and personal protective devices and clothing required by legislation and their employer.

3.  To notify their supervisor(s) of any unsafe conditions or acts that may be of danger to other workers or themselves.

4.  To report all accidents and injuries to their supervisor(s) as soon as possible.

5.  To take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of other workers and themselves.

Assignment of Responsibility and Accountability for Safety “Sample #3”

Manager shall:
1. Establish a safety policy / 7. Correct unsafe conditions
2. Provide a safe workplace / 8. Provide first aid
3. Maintain a safety program / 9. Investigate all accidents
4. Ensure proper training of workers
5. Ensure that personal protective / 10. Report injuries to the Workers’ Compensation Board
equipment is available
6. Ensure that regular inspections are / 11. Ensure compliance with legislation
12. Set a good example
done
Supervisor/Foreman shall:
1. Promote safety awareness / 7. Enforce safety rules
2. Establish safe work procedures / 8. Investigate work sites for hazards
3. Instruct workers about safety / 9. Investigate all accidents
4. Correct unsafe practices / 10. Ensure proper maintenance of equipment
5. Detect troubled employees / 11. Comply with legislation
6. Correct unsafe conditions / 12. Set a good example
Worker shall:
1. Follow safe work procedures
2. Report unsafe conditions
3. Correct unsafe conditions
4. Report unsafe acts
5. Report any injury
6. Comply with rules and legislation
7. Make safety suggestions
8. Set a good example