Occupational Health & Safety

Text Box: DELTA OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAM IS NOW ON THE DELTA WEBSITE! Need information concerning Occupational & Health Safety for the Delta School District? Check out the web site though the Delta District Web Site(www.web.deltasd.bc.ca). When you are at the home page, click onto the "Staff Centre" and a drop down menu appears and you will see "Occupational Health & Safety Program". This on-line Occupational Health & Safety Program documents the various health and safety programs and procedures established by the Delta School District to help members in the identification and control of workplace hazards and thereby promote a safe and healthy environment for employees, students, visitors and contractors.

CUPE Local 1091. All rights reserved .

2008

Patty Ross

Occupational Health & Safety Rep.

Ph.   604  594 3474

 

 

What are the problems?

Overwork is a growing health and safety hazard for CUPE members that is closely related to organizational changes in our workplaces. A simple definition of overwork is too many duties and responsibilities for one worker, with too few hours in the day to complete all that is required. It also includes fewer workers doing the same amount of work previously done by more workers.

Some or all of the following characterizes overwork:

· Working long and difficult hours.

· Unreasonable work demands.

· Multi-tasking and multi-skilling.

· Pressured/bullied to work overtime (paid and unpaid).

· Fewer rest breaks, days off, holidays and vacation.

· Faster, more pressured work pace.

· Performance monitoring.

· Unrealistic management expectations.

·  

Additional, often inappropriate, tasks piled on top of “core” duties (e.g., doing more than one job).

Am I covered by health and safety regulations?

Different workplaces are subject to different government regulations. Most workers in B.C. are covered by the Workers Compensation Board’s Industrial Health and Safety Regulations. Mine and railway workers are covered by different regulations. Workers in federally regulated workplaces, ( the Canadian government, communications, transportation, etc. ) are covered by the Canada Labour Code. These regulations establish minimum standards for every workplace. However, there are many different types of workplaces so employers and workers also have a general duty to correct all unsafe conditions in their workplace, regardless of the lack of a specific regulation.

CANADIAN UNION of PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
Text Box:  June & July, 2007 Lost Time Accidents: 10 Health Care Only: 3 Report Only: 5 August, 2007 Lost Time Accidents: 5 Health Care Only: 1 Report Only: 1 September, 2007 Lost Time Accidents: 8 Health Care Only: 3 Report Only: 5 October, 2007 Lost Time Accidents: 3 Health Care Only: 3 Report Only: 5 Text Box: Did you know? The third Hepatitis B shot will be in May. Information will be sent out to members with date and time. There is a new minutes form, for site committees, posted in FirstClass/All Staff/Occupational Health & Safety/OH&S forms The Fall Protection Program prohibits any untrained staff or individuals from accessing the roof of any District building if there is a potential fall from elevations of over 3 meters (10 feet). The School District has developed procedures for administrators or custodians that need access to roofs to retrieve items thrown there. These procedures should be posted at your site. If you need a copy, please contact Patty Ross at 604-596-7101, local 282. Hearing Conservation Program – a memo was sent to all site committees to review all high-noise areas of their schools, and forward the names of all staff members, who should have their hearing tested, to Vanessa Esaki. HOW TO BALANCE WORK-LIFE Work-Life balance is the ability to produce results without the sacrifice of your health or family. Achieving balance is a continuing process that takes ongoing attention. What you can do…. Take advantage of supportive policies Educate yourself on how to cope with stress Make you own wellness a priority Communicate your needs Use your time – don’t let it use you Set goals and priorities Let go of perfectionism A message from Interlock

OVERWORK

Text Box: December, 2007 Lost Time Accidents: 7 Health Care Only: 1 Report Only: 4


January, 2008

Lost Time Accidents:           8

Health Care Only:                 3

Report Only:                           7

 

February, 2008

Lost Time Accidents:           3

Health Care Only:                 7

Report Only:                           5

 

 

DID YOU KNOW?

· OH&S forms can now be found in FirstClass desktop.  Click on “District Forms” and you will see an OH&S Icon.

If you would like to know what the District’s management plan and other documentation related to the power lines at South Delta have a look on the District home page http://web.deltasd.bc.ca/main/Home.asp and then click on the July 11 news item on the right-hand side of the page.  It details the district's management plan and any other documentation relevant to the project.

 

 

WCB – TELECLAIM:

Employees who have filed their claims through Teleclaim are not able to get copies of the claim they filed.  The District Health and Safety Committee does recommend employees filing by Teleclaim. It is encouraged that all staff members follow the steps outlined by the DOHS committee.

 

 

Worksafe Benefits and Services Booklet

Vanessa Ezaki has posted a new Benefits and Services booklet publication which covers the basics of workers’ compensation system, the type of benefits a claimant can receive, and tips on handling a WCB claim.  This may help answer a lot of questions that employees may have if they are injured at work, especially if it’s your first time filing a WCB claim.  This booklet can be viewed, on-line, through FirstClass under OH&S forms – “Worksafe Benefits and Services Booklet”.