
Safety Programs and Training Summary
SAFETY REVIEW PROCESS
Safety is critically important to the success of faculty, staff and students, and to the organization as a whole. Each individual associated with McMaster University has a responsibility to ensure their own safety and the safety of those around them. Having a positive culture of safety will foster a rewarding environment for working and learning. This document is intended to outline the obligations and responsibilities that each of us have with regard to safety at McMaster University.
Safety at McMaster University follows a framework of responsibility which is articulated in our annual Safety Policy, Risk Management Manual (RMM) 100 and RMM 101. These two foundational documents describe dedication to safety at the highest levels and the Internal Responsibility System (IRS), respectively. The IRS stipulates that workers have a responsibility to report workplace hazards or safety contraventions to their supervisors. In turn, supervisors have a responsibility to implement corrective actions to address those hazards. Finally, the employer or senior management has a responsibility to support the implementation of the corrective actions by providing human and financial resources where necessary.
The RMM system is composed of many different documents, each of which describes the safety programming around various hazards. The documents describe the responsibilities of all those in the IRS with specific reference to that hazard. As the work of the University involves many different types of hazards, there are consequently many different RMM documents.
It is the responsibility of all supervisors (Deans / Directors / Chairs and all Managers and Supervisors) to be familiar with this set of documents and implement the safety programs which apply to the work that they direct within their area of responsiblity.
As a leader, you may be asked to demonstrate how you have met this obligation within your team and work environment. This request could come from those performing internal safety audits, from those requiring compliance as a condition of ethics approval or from external parties such as the Ministry of Labour or Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Workplace safety is important not only because it protects against workplace injuries, fatalities, insurance costs and property damage, it touches our lives beyond our workplace. It keeps us healthy; it provides security to our families and our communities, it helps keeps us happy and engaged in our work and reinforces our purpose.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
The responsibilities of Deans, Directors and Chairs is typically the following:
Role of Senior Managers (Deans, Directors and Chairs): Senior Managers shall:
- provide the human and financial resources necessary to implement and maintain the safety programs within their area of responsibility; and
To accomplish this, the University relies on the senior managers to do the following:
- Communicate the requirements for safety at the departmental and faculty level. This communication may involve regular announcements and reminders for safety training, declarations for Designated Substances, Controlled Goods, or other regulated items.
- Support implementation of corrective actions as a result of an injury/incident, ergonomic assessment, industrial hygiene testing or Joint Health and Safety Committee workplace inspection.
- Foster an open culture of escalation from supervisor to senior manager when barriers are present. These barriers may be financial, operational, or physical.
- Foster an open culture of reporting incidents and hazardous situations.
Of particular need, the FHSSO relies on the Departmental Senior Mangers to facilitate the following:
- Encourage TMG and union members in their department to participate on their local joint health and safety committee. Most Departments have more than one JHSC because they have workers at more than one location.
- To provide minute taking support for those committees.
- Ensure their managers’ training is up to date.
- Support managers to be accountable for ensuring their workers’ training is up to date.
NAVIGATING THE SAFETY SYSTEM
Finding your way through our safety system, starts with the library of safety documents collectively called the RMMs. Not every RMM will apply to your area of responsibility, however there are ones that apply to all areas, and others that apply to specific types of work. Each supervisor is to review the RMM library, select the documents which apply to their area of responsibility and implement them locally.
Local implementation of the RMM is sometimes prescribed. If you require assistance interpreting the RMM or devising strategies for local implementation, please contact FHSSO.
The RMM documents are found on the central HR website.
Risk Management Manuals (RMMs) - Human Resources (mcmaster.ca)
A summary of these documents is found below. This information is current as of 2021-10-01, therefore please visit the website for the most up to date information.
Risk Management Manual - a collection of documents outlining safety programs. Each document outlines the responsibilities with respect to the hazard. |
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Number |
Title |
Summary |
100 |
Occupational Health and Safety Policy |
The overarching policy which documents commitment of senior management to the health and safety of the university. Includes listing of groups to whom the policy applies. |
101 |
Risk Management System |
Describes how health and safety is managed, defines the groups that have responsibility overall and describes how information is to flow. |
102 |
Occupational Health and Safety Act |
Describes the Occupational Health and Safety Act which is governed by the Province of Ontario. |
103 |
Environmental Protection Act |
Describes how the university complies with the Environmental Protection Act which is governed by the Government of Canada. |
104 |
Central Joint Health and Safety Committee |
Describes the function, structure and oversight of the Central Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). All local JHSCs forward information to this committee for overarching review. |
105 |
McMaster University Joint Health and Safety Committees |
Describes the function of the local JHSCs. Any employee has the right to participate on these committees. Please communicate to the Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office / Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services (FHSSO/EOHSS) if you wish to participate on these committees. |
106 |
Presidential Biosafety Advisory Committee Terms of Reference |
Describes the role, structure and function of the institutional biosafety committee. This committee reviews protocols, audit reports and procedures related to the use of biohazards. |
107 |
Health Physics Advisory Committee |
Describes the role, structure and function of the health physics advisory committee. |
109 |
Student Event Risk Management Committee Terms of Reference |
Describes the role, structure and function of the committee which reviews and approves applications for student events. Describes procedures for safety and permissions. |
110 |
Crisis Management Group Terms of Reference/Membership |
Describes the function and composition of the crisis management group that deals with major disasters that affect the university. The Faculty of Heath Sciences (FHS) and host hospital partners have their own crisis management plans in place; the FHS plan is an appendix to the central university plan. Contact your senior manager for details if required. |
111 |
Contracting Work Safely |
Describes responsibilities for all parties involved in contracting any type of work to be performed for the University. |
112 |
Volunteers in the University Workplace Policy |
The policy is currently under review. If you supervise volunteers in your area, please use the participant agreement form found on https://ols.mcmaster.ca |
113 |
Children in the Workplace Program |
Describes the requirements for organized activities for children (17 and under) in the workplace. This does not include activities organized for students. |
114 |
Work Refusal Program |
Describes the process to follow if a worker declares a refusal to do work. |
201 |
Hot Work Program |
Any trade or work activity that uses or produces flames, or heat that would act as an ignition source for any flammable or combustible material (e.g. industrial brazing, cutting and welding indoors) and/or academic projects which involve the ignition of combustible material. (e.g. Works of Art that involve open flame). NB. This program does not apply to the controlled use of open flame or heat in laboratories or designated workshops. |
300 |
Safety Orientation and Training Program |
Describes requirements to ensure hazards are identified and safety training is provided. |
300 |
Appendix Matrix |
A table listing safety training required by different groups. The table also lists the frequency with which the course needs to be repeated. |
301 |
Standard Operating Procedures Program |
Describes the minimum requirements for establishing safe work practices. |
302 |
Safety Audits and Inspections Program |
Describes the approach used to eliminate health and safety risks by identifying hazards in the workplace through regular audits and inspections and to report the hazards to senior management in care and control of the area to correct the hazards |
303 |
Stop Work Procedures Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used for work stoppages. |
304 |
Working Alone Program |
Describes the requirement for a risk assessment and for written procedures to be created if a worker works alone. It also lists the type of work which can never be performed alone. |
305 |
Confined Space Entry Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used when workers must enter a confined space, as defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. |
306 |
Lockout/Tagout Program for the Control of Hazardous Energy |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if energized equipment requires to be locked out for the protection of workers. |
307 |
Scaffolds/Suspended Scaffolds and Powered Elevated Platforms Safety Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if using scaffolds and powered elevated platforms. |
308 |
Occupational Diving Policy |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if participating in diving. |
310 |
Eye Protection Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if there is a risk of eye injury or exposure to a hazard. |
311 |
Respiratory Protection Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if there is a risk of respiratory exposure to a hazard. |
312 |
Foot Protection Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if there is a risk of foot injury. |
313 |
Head Protection Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if there is a risk of head injury. |
314 |
Fall From Heights Protection Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if working at heights. |
315 |
Explosive and Actuated Tools Safety Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves explosive actuated tools. |
316 |
Electrical Safety Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves an electrical distribution system. |
317 |
Machine Shop Safety Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if working in a machine shop. |
318 |
Care and Control of Golf Carts and other Off Road Vehicles Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if using vehicles. |
319 |
Health and Safety Board Maintenance Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used to properly maintain a compliant occupational health and safety bulletin board. |
320 |
Personal Protective Equipment Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work requires Personal Protective Equipment. |
321 |
Hand Protection Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if there is a risk of hand injury. |
322 |
Health and Safety Training Needs Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used when evaluating the health and safety training needs for your area of responsibility. |
323 |
Health and Safety Goals and Objectives |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used to set health and safety goals and objectives for your area of responsibility. |
324 |
Job Hazard Analysis Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used to evaluate the work for hazards. |
325 |
Process and Equipment Purchases and/or Modifications |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used when purchasing or modifying equipment. |
400 |
Building Indoor Air Quality Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves a risk of exposure to poor indoor air quality. |
401 |
Asbestos Management Control Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves a risk of exposure to asbestos in the workplace. |
402 |
Smoking in the Workplace/Public Areas Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used to maintain a smoke free environment in your area of responsibility. |
403 |
Noise Control and Hearing Preservation Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used when the work involves the risk of exposure to noise. |
404 |
MUMC Asbestos Control Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves a risk of exposure to asbestos in the MUMC building. |
405 |
Ergonomics Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used to control risk associated with repetitive movements, awkward postures, poor lighting, vibrations and materials handling. |
406 |
Preventative Maintenance Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves equipment that requires to be maintained to prevent risk of injury, hazard exposure or environmental contamination. |
407 |
Human Blood/Body Fluid Exposure |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if using human blood and body fluids. |
408 |
Heat Stress Prevention Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if working in elevated temperatures. |
409 |
Domestic Animals in the Workplace Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if domestic animals are required to be in the workplace. |
500 |
Designated Substances Control Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves designated substances. |
501 |
Hazardous Materials Management System (WHMIS) |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves WHMIS controlled products. |
502 |
Hazardous Waste Management Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves generation of hazardous waste. |
503 |
Chemical Weapons Convention Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if working with chemicals applicable under this program. |
504 |
Compressed and Liquefied Gases Safety Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if using compressed and liquefied gases. |
505 |
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if transporting hazardous materials. |
506 |
Battery Recycling and Disposal Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work requires disposal of batteries. |
507 |
Controlled Goods and/or Controlled Technology Program |
under review (February 2017-not posted yet). |
600 |
Biosafety Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves the use of biohazards. |
603 |
Medical Surveillance Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves the use of biohazards. |
700 |
Radiation Safety Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if working with sources of radiation. |
701 |
X-ray safety program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if working with sources of x-rays. |
702 |
Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if working with sources of non-ionizing radiation. |
703 |
Laser Safety Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if working with with lasers. |
800 |
Student Event Risk Management Manual |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if running student events. |
801 |
Field Trip and Electives Planning and Approval Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the activities involve field trips or electives is involved. |
801 |
Guidelines |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the activities involve field trips or electives is involved. |
900 |
Property/Third Party Liability Insurance Program |
under review |
901 |
Capital Assets |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used to account for assets within your area of responsibility for the purpose of university-wide accounting for capital assets. |
902 |
WSIB / LTD Management Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used to identify and report workplace related injuries and illnesses, to manage work absences and safe return to work and to follow requirements of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. |
903 |
Use of Waivers Program |
under review |
904 |
University Owned, Leased or Rented Vehicle Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves use of vehicles. |
1000 |
Reporting and Investigating Injury/Incident/Occupational Disease Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used to in reporting of workplace incidents, illnesses and occupational diseases. |
1001 |
Intellectual Property Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves the generation of intellectual property that requires to be protected. |
1002 |
Return to work Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if supervising someone returning to work from a workplace injury. |
1100 |
Litigation Management Protocol |
under review |
1200 |
Crisis Management Response Plan |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used for awareness of the central campus crisis management response plan and the role of the FHS Crisis Management Plan within it. |
1201 |
Fire Safety Plan |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work takes place in central campus buildings. |
1202 |
Spills to the Environment - Emergency Response and Reporting Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used if the work involves the risk of hazardous material release into the environment. |
1203 |
Bomb Threat Response Plan |
For information contact Office of the Director of Security Services. Ext.23372. |
1204 |
First Aid Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used where first aid services are required. |
1205 |
Reactor Emergencies Response Plan |
For information contact Office of the Director McMaster Nuclear Facilities Operation. Ext. 23270. |
1206 |
Business Continuity Planning Program |
Describes the requirements and procedures to be used when the work undergoes major disruption and requires continuity planning. |
TRAINING MATRIX
The ‘Training Matrix’ is a document which is an appendix to RMM 300 Safety Training Program. The matrix lists the types of training required by different personnel groups. Please note that as of 2015, several training courses require re-training at a set interval of 1, 2, 3 or 5 years. If a person requires a course, and it has an associated frequency, it is expected that the person will repeat the course at the indicated frequency.
Training that is mandatory for all personnel performing work (which may be faculty, staff, students and volunteers) is highlighted in blue.
Training |
Frequency |
Associated Online Mosaic Training |
Accident Investigation (supervisor) |
3 yr |
ACCINV |
Asbestos Awareness |
5 yr |
ASBEST |
Autoclave Basics |
Once |
AUTOCL |
JHSC Certification (Part 1&2) |
Once |
CERT1, CERT2 |
Basic Electricity |
Once |
BELEC |
Biosafety Update |
Annually |
BSUPD |
Chemical Handling & Spills |
3 yr |
CHEMHS |
Confined Spaces |
Once |
|
Controlled Goods |
Once |
CNTRLG |
Core Biosafety |
Once |
BSLTRA |
COVID-19 Awareness* |
Once |
COVID |
Defensive Driving (required |
3 yr |
|
Due Diligence (supervisor) |
3 yr |
DUEDIL |
Ergonomics |
5 yr |
ERGON |
Fire Safety/Fire Safety HSC ** |
3 yr / Annually |
FIRETR / FHSFSF |
Fire Warden |
Once |
FIRWRD |
First Aid (Standard) |
3 yr |
|
Forklift |
3 yr |
|
Gas Cylinder |
Once |
GASCYL |
Golf Cart Safety |
5 yr |
GLFCRT |
Health & Safety Orientation |
Once |
HSORI |
Heat Stress |
3 yr |
HTSTRS |
Hydrogen Fluoride |
3 yr |
HFLTR |
Indoor Air Quality |
Once |
INDARQ |
JHSC Certification Refresher |
3 yr |
CERTR |
Ladder Safety |
Once |
LADDER |
Laser Safety |
3 yr |
LASER |
Lock Out / Tag Out |
3 yr |
LCKTAG |
Machine Guarding Awareness |
3 yr |
MCHGRD |
Mould Awareness |
Once |
MLDAWR |
Nanotechnology |
Once |
NANOAW |
Noise Awareness |
Once |
NSAWR |
Property Protection |
Once |
PROPPR |
Radiation Safety Awareness |
Once |
|
Respirator Fit Testing |
Yearly |
FITTES |
Slips, Trips & Falls |
5 yr |
SLPTRP |
Transportation of |
3 yr |
TDG |
Violence & Harassment |
3 yr |
VHPW |
WHMIS 2015 ~ |
5 yr |
WHMS15 |
Working at Heights |
3 yr |
|
Workplace Inspections |
Once |
WRKPI |
Mosaic currently does not have the capability to send out reminders or evaluate missing/expired training. Managers/supervisors are required to implement strategies to ensure that all personnel have the required training and that it is current within the prescribed repetition frequency.
In addition to health and safety training, all personnel are required to have Accessibility for Ontarioans with Disabilities Act (AODA) training once.
ONLINE TRAINING
Some of the RMM programs are linked with training which is available on Mosaic/Avenue. Training is obtained by registering through Mosaic. (https://mosaic.mcmaster.ca)
Mosaic > Regulatory Training > Search by Course Name (leave blank) > click on desired course.
Follow instructions for registering. The course will appear in Avenue to Learn (https://avenue.mcmaster.ca) the next day. FHS Training FAQ is found here.
REQUESTING SUPPORT
The FHSSO is available for technical support related to occupational health and safety. We can help you meet the requirements of the RMMs.
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Updated 2021-10-01