News May 16, 2019
H&S View Prototype
Q1: Do you have a current, documented health and safety policy? You answered: [209] [if 209 show=value equals=”Yes”]That’s a great start! If you want to learn more about writing effective health and safety policies, click here.[/if 209] [if 209 show=value equals=”Maybe”] The health and safety policy is at the centre of your health and safety… Continue reading H&S View Prototype
Q1:
Do you have a current, documented health and safety policy?
You answered: [209]
[if 209 show=value equals=”Yes”]That’s a great start! If you want to learn more about writing effective health and safety policies, click here.[/if 209]
[if 209 show=value equals=”Maybe”] The health and safety policy is at the centre of your health and safety program. Use this template to develop one that is best suited to your business.
If you want to learn more about writing effective health and safety policies, click here.[/if 209]
[if 209 show=value equals=”No”]The health and safety policy is at the centre of your health and safety program. Use this template to develop one that is best suited to your business.
If you want to learn more about writing effective health and safety policies, click here.[/if 209]
Q2:
Do all levels within your organization know what their responsibilities are with regard to the health and safety program?
You answered: [216]
[if 216 show=value equals=”Yes”]Great! Ensuring that all levels of staff understand their responsibilities is key to a safe workplace.
Learn more about individual roles and responsibilities, including those of owners and contractors here. [/if 216]
[if 216 show=value equals=”Maybe”]There are specific safety-related responsibilities assigned to different positions in an organization. Ensuring your staff understand what is expected of them is important. Learn more about health and safety roles and responsibilities here.[/if 216]
[if 216 show=value equals=”No”]There are specific safety-related responsibilities assigned to different positions in an organization. Ensuring your staff understand what is expected of them is important. Learn more about health and safety roles and responsibilities here.[/if 216]
Q3:
Do you conduct regular workplace inspections?
You answered: [221]
[if 221 show=value equals=”Yes”] You already recognize the importance of inspections in proactively managing health and safety in your workplace. Click here for more information that will help you take your inspections to the next level. [/if 221]
[if 221 show=value equals=”Maybe”] Here is a useful reference guide, which contains various templates to help you develop an inspection checklist that works for you.[/if 221]
[if 221 show=value equals=”No”]Here is a useful reference guide, which contains various templates to help you develop an inspection checklist that works for you.[/if 221]
Q4:
Have you carried out risk assessments for your business?
You answered: [208]
[if 208 show=value equals=”Yes”] Well done! Here is some extra reading, if you would like to learn more about the risk assessment process.
You may even want to develop a policy around risk assessments and you can find more information on this here.[/if 208]
[if 208 show=value equals=”Maybe”] This link takes you to a sample health and safety guide. Pages 9–15 of the guide feature clear instructions on how to develop risk assessments, along with a simple risk assessment template to get you started. Begin by noting the different tasks that are carried out. Then think about the hazards associated with them. [/if 208]
[if 208 show=value equals=”No”]This link takes you to a sample health and safety guide. Pages 9–15 of the guide feature clear instructions on how to develop risk assessments, along with a simple risk assessment template to get you started. Begin by noting the different tasks that are carried out. Then think about the safety hazards associated with them.[/if 208]
Q5:
Have you developed safe work procedures for your business?
You answered: [214]
[if 214 show=value equals=”Yes”]You understand that safe work procedures play a crucial part in reinforcing how to perform a task safely. They also make a great training tool and can be really effective if displayed in appropriate areas within the workplace. Compare your safe work procedures to these examples. They might give you some ideas on how to further develop your existing procedures. [/if 214]
[if 214 show=value equals=”Maybe”] Check out these examples of common safe work procedures and personalize them to reflect your operation. Prioritize by looking at the most dangerous activities first. [/if 214]
[if 214 show=value equals=”No”] Check out these examples of common safe work procedures and personalize them to reflect your operation. Prioritize by looking at the most dangerous activities first. [/if 214]
Q6:
Do you have a training and orientation program for new and young workers?
You answered: [220]
[if 220 show=value equals=”Yes”] Fantastic. Check that your program includes the items listed within the sample checklist at the end of this infosheet.
A great way to enhance your current orientation training is by offering go2HR’s Foundations of Workplace Safety to your new and young workers. This self-paced, online course is geared towards the tourism and hospitality industry in BC. [/if 220]
[if 220 show=value equals=”Maybe”]This infosheet includes a helpful sample orientation checklist that you can go through with your team.
This booklet goes into more detail about orientation training and includes a range of tools to help you deliver engaging training on all of the required topics.
[/if 220]
[if 220 show=value equals=”No”]This infosheet includes a helpful sample orientation checklist that you can go through with your team.
This booklet goes into more detail about orientation training and includes a range of tools to help you deliver engaging training on all of the required topics.[/if 220]
Q7:
Do you have a worker representative or a joint health and safety committee?
You answered: [207]
[if 207 show=value equals=”Yes”]You understand the value that a worker safety representative or effective committee can bring to your workplace.
If you have appointed a worker representative, you could suggest that they take some refresher training by completing go2HR’s Occupational Health and Safety Program Fundamentals training. This online course also counts towards the optional annual training entitlement for worker representatives and committee members.
Did you know that if your organization has a joint health and safety committee, you are required to conduct an annual evaluation? Use this tool to assess how your committee could be more effective. [/if 207]
[if 207 show=value equals=”Maybe”] You can learn more about setting up a committee here.
Here are some links to frequently asked questions regarding worker representatives and joint health and safety committees.[/if 207]
[if 207 show=value equals=”No”] You can learn more about setting up a committee here.
Here are some links to frequently asked questions regarding worker representatives and joint health and safety committees.[/if 207]
Q8:
Do you hold regular meetings where health and safety matters are discussed?
You answered: [213]
[if 213 show=value equals=”Yes”] You recognize that regular health and safety meetings provide an excellent opportunity to get everyone involved in the safety process in your workplace. Promoting open communication, at all levels, is crucial to the success of a health and safety program. Be sure to discuss health and safety activities and incident trends and to review recommendations put forward by your joint health and safety committee. Post an agenda in advance of the meeting and circulate the minutes afterwards, so that everyone knows what is happening. [/if 213]
[if 213 show=value equals=”Maybe”] Here is a basic template that you can adapt to record details of your health and safety meetings.
This link includes a useful health and safety meeting agenda template that you can customize to suit your needs. Please refer to page 11 of the booklet. [/if 213]
[if 213 show=value equals=”No”] Here is a basic template that you can adapt to record details of your health and safety meetings.
This link includes a useful health and safety meeting agenda template that you can customize to suit your needs. Please refer to page 11 of the booklet.[/if 213]
Q9:
Have you assessed the first aid requirements in your workplace?
You answered: [219]
[if 219 show=value equals=”Yes”] Great! Here’s an interesting article on first aid. Did you know that all first aid records need to be kept for at least three years? You might also want to compare your first aid assessment to this one. [/if 219]
[if 219 show=value equals=”Maybe”] Here is a straightforward assessment that you can complete to determine the first aid requirements in your workplace. [/if 219]
[if 219 show=value equals=”No”] Here is a straightforward assessment that you can complete to determine the first aid requirements in your workplace. [/if 219]
Q10:
Do you report workplace incidents?
You answered: [206]
[if 206 show=value equals=”Yes”] Good! It’s really important that you do. This article explores how to manage accidents and injuries in the workplace and is a great way to refresh your knowledge on the topic. [/if 206]
[if 206 show=value equals=”Maybe”] Use this form to report workplace injuries or occupational disease to WorkSafeBC.
This article explores how to manage accidents and injuries in the workplace and is a great way to develop further knowledge on the topic. [/if 206]
[if 206 show=value equals=”No”]Use this form to report workplace injuries or occupational disease to WorkSafeBC.
This article explores how to manage accidents and injuries in the workplace and is a great way to develop further knowledge on the topic. [/if 206]
Q11:
Do you conduct incident investigations?
You answered: [212]
[if 212 show=value equals=”Yes”] Well done. Investigations help employers to determine why an incident happened and to take appropriate action to prevent a similar situation in the future. Discuss key learnings and changes that have been introduced as a result of an investigation, during your health and safety meetings. [/if 212]
[if 212 show=value equals=”Maybe”] Remember that you are required to investigate incidents that occur in your workplace, including near misses that have the potential to cause harm. Review this video on completing and submitting incident investigations. You can also use this to train your joint health and safety committee members in conducting investigations but be sure to document the training!
Here is an Employer Incident Investigation Report template that you can use to record your investigation and submit it to WorkSafeBC. Your preliminary investigation must be completed within 48 hours of the incident occurring. Your full investigation report must be completed and submitted to WorkSafeBC within 30 days of the incident occurring.
Here is a useful reference guide on conducting incident investigations, if you would like to do some more reading on the topic.[/if 212]
[if 212 show=value equals=”No”]Remember that you are required to investigate incidents that occur in your workplace, including near misses that have the potential to cause harm. Review this video on completing and submitting incident investigations. You can also use this to train your joint health and safety committee members in conducting investigations but be sure to document the training!
Here is an Employer Incident Investigation Report template that you can use to record your investigation and submit it to WorkSafeBC. Your preliminary investigation must be completed within 48 hours of the incident occurring. Your full investigation report must be completed and submitted to WorkSafeBC within 30 days of the incident occurring.
Here is a useful reference guide on conducting incident investigations, if you would like to do some more reading on the topic. [/if 212]
Q12:
Do you keep records to support your health and safety efforts?
You answered: [218]
[if 218 show=value equals=”Yes”] Keeping records to support your program is a key part of demonstrating due diligence and you already know this. What’s more, reviewing records, such as first aid treatment and incident investigations, can help you to identify trends or unsafe activities, which you can then take steps to remedy. [/if 218]
[if 218 show=value equals=”Maybe”] Well it’s never too late to start! Start keeping records of all first aid treatment, workplace inspections, incident investigations and training. If you follow the advice in the previous self-assessment questions, you will start to build up your health and safety records in no time. Click here to learn about some other health and safety activities that you should monitor and record, to help support your program. [/if 218]
[if 218 show=value equals=”No”] Well it’s never too late to start! Start keeping records of all first aid treatment, workplace inspections, incident investigations and training. If you follow the advice in the previous self-assessment questions, you will start to build up your health and safety records in no time. Click here to learn about some other health and safety activities that you should monitor and record, to help support your program. [/if 218]
Q13:
Do you keep your health and safety program current?
You answered: [224]
[if 224 show=value equals=”Yes”] A regular review of your program is critical in order to keep it relevant and fresh. If you don’t already, start involving your team in discussing ways to improve the program and be receptive to their views about better ways of working safely. Be sure to document details of your review. Review this template to make sure you are not missing any key points in the annual review of your health and safety program. [/if 224]
[if 224 show=value equals=”Maybe”] Review your health and safety program periodically (at least once a year) and discuss ways in which it can be improved and kept up to date. Communicate with your team about any relevant changes in the workplace, new and emerging hazards, and better procedures for doing jobs safely and more efficiently. It is a good idea to record details of any program reviews. This health and safety program review template will help you get started. [/if 224]
[if 224 show=value equals=”No”] Review your health and safety program periodically (at least once a year) and discuss ways in which it can be improved and kept up to date. Communicate with your team about any relevant changes in the workplace, new and emerging hazards, and better procedures for doing jobs safely and more efficiently. It is a good idea to record details of any program reviews. This health and safety program review template will help you get started. [/if 224]