St. Leonard's Community Services

St. Leonard’s Community Services is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, complying with Health and Safety legislative requirements and providing protection from accidental loss to Agency staff and property.

Annually, the Management Team and/or the Joint Health and Safety Committee will review the Fire Safety Plans, Emergency Response Plan, the Health and Safety Binders and the Multi-Workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee Terms of Reference to ensure they meet staff and client needs, and remain compliant with legislative requirements such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

Fire Safety Plans

The Agency has Fire Safety Plans for each of its residential facilities which are approved by the Fire Department. Fire Safety Plans for non-residential facilities are not approved by the Fire Department. They include procedures to follow in the event of a fire, duties of staff and fire safety procedures.

A current copy of the Fire Safety Plan for all residential sites is provided to the Fire Department, including drawings of the buildings and physical layouts.

Forms for fire drills and monthly fire safety equipment checks are completed at least monthly and filed upon signature of the Service Director and Executive Director. The original documents are filed in the Health and Safety Binders of the respective location, and copies are kept by the Human Resources Administrator at Administration.

The Agency has an Emergency Response Plan which prepares staff for procedures required in the event of an emergency, ensuring the highest possible standard to protect the health and safety of staff and clients. Emergency planning will ensure a timely and appropriate response to emergencies and compliance with applicable laws.

Health and Safety Binder

Each location has a Health and Safety Binder containing the following:

Agency Health and Safety Policy Statement;
Multi-Workplace Joint and Health and Safety Committee- Terms of Reference;
Roles and Responsibilities of Workplace Parties;
Hazard Recognition;
Hazard Reporting- Damage/Safety Hazard Report and Follow-Up Form;
Inspection Reporting- Monthly Workplace Health and Safety Inspection Form;
Standard First Aid Kit Requirements;
Accident/Injury Reporting and Investigating- Staff Injury/Occupational Illness Report, Injury and Incident Investigation Report, Critical Injury Policy;
Fire Safety Equipment Checks;
Fire Safety Plan;
WHMIS;
Emergency Response Plan;
Inter-Residence Security Call System;
HIV/AIDS Policy;
Hepatitis B Policy;
Treatment of Human Bite or Needle Stick Policy;
Employee Assistance Plan;
Resource List;
Monthly Joint Health and Safety Committee Meeting Minutes;
Completed Monthly Workplace Health and Safety Inspections;
Qualified Staff- First Aid/CPR.

Multi-Workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee

The Agency forms a Joint Health and Safety Committee which provides a forum for management and staff to work co-operatively in addressing health and safety issues. (See Human Resources Appendix 35 Multi-Workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee Terms of Reference) The committee is constituted in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

To monitor the Agency’s performance with respect to health and safety and evaluate the Agency’s health and safety policies and procedures recommending changes as needed.
To develop and recommend approval of the annual health and safety operating plan.
To investigate complaints brought forth by staff or clients regarding health and safety.
To share and communicate information and concerns with the committee and Agency staff as they relate to health and safety in the Agency.
To review annually that all safety equipment and training needs are being met and to make any appropriate recommendations to the Management Team.
Worker members are to perform monthly inspections in order to identify situations, which may be a source of hazard.
To gather information concerning the accidents that have occurred. All accident statistics/information will be forwarded to the committee by the Human Resources Administrator.
Certified members are to complete accident investigations as needed.
To recommend measures and corrective actions and follow-up on those items.
To participate in all inspections and accident/incident investigations as carried out by Ministry of Labour Inspectors. Certified members, representing both front-line staff and management will accompany Ministry Inspectors during visits of the workplace.
Worker members are entitled to be present at the beginning of workplace testing.
Certified members are to investigate work refusals as needed through consultation with the Ministry of Labour. In the event that a work refusal occurs after regular business hours, the Human Resources Administrator will be contacted by the respective Service Director and an investigation team will be established consisting of at least 1 certified worker member and 1 certified management member.