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1JHSCC_Intro_1
2Welcome to Training for Health and Safety Committee Members.
3
4JHSCC_Intro_2
5Introduction
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7JHSCC_Intro_3
8Occupational illnesses, injuries, and fatalities are unacceptable and avoidable; yet they continue to occur every day in workplaces in Canada.
9Improving occupational health and safety, or OHS, is a focus for many Canadian employers, who are adding health and safety to their overall company vision.   
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11JHSCC_Intro_4
12An incident not only affects the injured person, but can also put a strain on the company, co-workers, and the community. 
13Employers are affected by having to pay high compensation costs, not to mention the lost sales, profits, and production and the effects of bad publicity.
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15JHSCC_Intro_5
16The injured employee faces lost wages; the employee might be unable to perform his or her regular job as a result of the injury. All of this can place huge financial and emotional stress on the individual and the family.
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18JHSCC_Intro_6
19Our communities are also greatly affected by workplace incidents.  
20 Additional health care costs may in turn create higher taxes.  
21 At the same time, companies with many lost time injuries may actually slow down the economic growth in the community.
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23JHSCC_Intro_7
24The International Labour Organization defines occupational health and safety as:
25 
26The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of  physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations;
27The prevention among workers of departures from health caused by their working condition;
28The protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health; and
29The placing and maintenance of the worker in an occupational environment adapted to physical and mental needs
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31JHSCC_Intro_8
32The purpose of this training is to help you understand and fulfill your roles and responsibilities as a member of a health and safety committee.
33Being a member of a health and safety committee requires knowledge to help develop, implement, and monitor workplace health and safety programs. By identifying problems and bringing them to the employer’s attention, committees provide workers with greater protection against work-related injury, illness, and death. With employer and worker representatives working together, committees view health and safety concerns from different viewpoints to make sure everything possible is done to protect workers.
34This training will provide you with important knowledge and skills that will enable you to be an effective member of your workplace health and safety committee.  
35
36JHSCC_Intro_9
37At the end of this course health and safety committee members will be able to:
38Describe the internal responsibility system;
39Locate information about health and safety law;
40Explain the roles and responsibilities of health and safety committee members;
41Identify hazards in their workplaces;
42Explain how to conduct a workplace inspection; and
43List the steps of an incident investigation.
44
45JHSCC_Intro_10
46This course has 7 modules. Module one addresses the internal responsibility system. The second module focuses on health and safety law, while the third focuses on health and safety committees. In module 4 you will learn about health and safety hazards. Module 5 is about identifying and controlling hazards, while module 6 is about workplace inspections. The final module, module 7, discusses incident investigations.
47A short quiz follows each module. 
48 
49JHSCCBC_M1_S1
50Module 1: Internal Responsibility System
51
52JHSCCBC_M1_S2
53This module focuses on the Internal Responsibility System, or IRS. You will learn what an IRS is as well as the important role it plays in a health and safety management system. You will learn how to develop an effective IRS, about the role of the health and safety committee within the IRS, and about the external responsibility system.
54
55JHSCCBC_M1_S3
56An Internal Responsibility System is key to an effective occupational health and safety management system. The principle behind the IRS is that workplace parties are in the best position to identify health and safety problems and develop solutions. 
57The IRS is meant to include everyone, from frontline workers to the chief executive. It’s a partnership that promotes workplace culture. It works best when everyone takes responsibility for safety and health, regardless of job title.  Under the IRS, health and safety becomes an essential part of everyone’s job. 
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59JHSCCBC_M1_S4
60How well the system works depends upon whether there is a complete and  unbroken chain of responsibility and accountability for health and safety.
61
62JHSCCBC_M1_S5	
63Under the IRS, health and safety becomes the natural way of doing business, rather than an add-on to business concerns. This is reflected in forms and processes and safety recognition programs. Everyone has health and safety duties, safety successes are communicated, and health and safety is an agenda item at all management meetings. 
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65JHSCCBC_M1_S6
66If health and safety becomes a nice shiny binder full of policies and forms that sits in someone’s office; it’s going to fail!  
67Health and safety must become a way of doing business so that it comes naturally, rather than being an add-on.
68
69JHSCCBC_M1_S7
70Individuals must take initiative to interact with each other to address health and safety concerns and to identify continuous improvement opportunities in their workplaces.
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72JHSCCBC_M1_S8
73The internal responsibility system can be thought of as an organizational chart; it requires the company president to spell out exactly who is responsible for what aspects of health and safety in the organization. 
74The head of the organization must delegate authority for health and safety and provide clear statements of responsibility for health and safety for everyone at the workplace. 
75Accountability must be built into the system; management must make sure responsibilities are fulfilled and authority exercised properly.
76
77JHSCCBC_M1_S9
78The system is only as strong as its internal components, starting with the individuals themselves. 
79The IRS captures the creativity, leadership, experience and knowledge of everyone in the organization. 
80
81JHSCCBC_M1_S10
82Each person has the ability to make decisions.  Each decision alters the outcome and affects the next person in line.
83
84JHSCCBC_M1_S11
85For an Internal Responsibility System to be effective it must be consistent with the 3 C’s:
86Competence;
87Commitment; and
88Capacity.
89The 3 “C”s are the fundamental elements of an IRS. 
90 
91
92JHSCCBC_M1_S12
93Competence means having the knowledge, skills, and adequate systems in place for responding to events, as well as a properly functioning health and safety committee.
94
95JHSCCBC_M1_S13
96The second “C” stands for commitment.  
97An effective IRS requires commitment from all workplace parties.  It’s one thing to say you are committed; it’s another to display that commitment through words and actions.
98Combining health and safety policies and procedures with enforcement demonstrates commitment.
99If senior management doesn’t care, why would the hourly workers?  They wouldn’t!  That’s why a successful internal responsibility system is driven from the commitment of senior management, middle management, and every other workplace party down the chain of command.
100In order to be completely committed to something, you have to believe in it; this means never giving up and never stopping at good enough.  Workers, supervisors, and managers must all believe they have done everything within their individual power to make a safer workplace.
101
102JHSCCBC_M1_S14
103 The last “C” represents capacity.  It’s important to know what your limits are, what your internal resources are for preventing injuries, and when is it time to seek help from outside the IRS.
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105JHSCCBC_M1_S15
106A successful internal responsibility system involves individuals who are driven to exceed expectations with constant encouragement and recognition for their individual success.
107Those who understand and believe in the IRS will strive to resolve conflict, attempt to improve the work environment and will have the confidence to never fear reprisals
108A strong internal responsibility system builds a strong safety culture where everyone believes accidents are preventable and unacceptable.
109
110JHSCCBC_M1_S16	
111As you have learned, in a successful IRS health and safety are integrated into the operation of the organization. What are some of the ways to make health and safety part of the everyday operation of a business? 
112[Pause]
113Organizations can include health and safety on the agenda for all business meetings. They can incorporate health and safety into forms and processes and reward outstanding safety performance. Disciplining workers for pointing out hazards (which could be against the law) and overlooking minor hazards are definitely not ways to integrate health and safety into the operation of the organization. 
114
115JHSCCBC_M1_S17
116As you have already learned, everyone at the workplace has health and safety responsibilities under the IRS. Let’s look at what those responsibilities are.
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118JHSCCBC_M1_S18
119Senior executives are responsible to provide the leadership and resources and an environment that will ensure everyone can do safe and healthy work.  The Senior executives become the role models for the organization.
120They must be involved and aware of what’s going on within the workplace because they have the power to instil change when necessary.
121By being visibly committed and by providing and maintaining the resources necessary; the senior executives set the tone and inspire others to make the system work.  
122
123JHSCCBC_M1_S19
124Managers set the standards to meet the expectations set by senior executives. 
125Managers are responsible to delegate authority and to ensure standards are being followed.
126They must encourage workers and supervisors to work together to resolve health and safety problems.
127Managers must also be aware of changes in legislation and how they apply so they can update work standards as necessary.
128And managers establish the discipline program and ensure it is applied consistently across the workforce.
129
130JHSCCBC_M1_S20
131Supervisors have the responsibility to oversee the day-to-day operations.   
132Because the supervisors are familiar with the work, they have the opportunity to identify actual dangers and improve conditions. 
133Supervisors work closely with workers and are therefore able to develop trusting relationships.  Through constructive criticism and positive feedback supervisors can encourage hazard reporting and insist on safe work practices.  
134Supervisors must ensure workers receive the appropriate training and are aware of the potential hazards in their work area.
135
136JHSCCBC_M1_S21
137Workers also have responsibilities. In addition to following the rules, they should be part of the decision-making process.
138Workers have the power to make a difference in the health and safety conditions at their workplaces.
139In a successful IRS, every worker is encouraged to take initiative when it comes to health and safety. When a process or piece of equipment is not working as planned, workers have a responsibility to speak up so the safety issues may be addressed.
140
141JHSCCBC_M1_S22
142The health and safety committee is made up of individuals with responsibilities under the IRS. The committee as a whole also has responsibilities under the IRS. 
143The committee can be an internal auditor, a valuable resource, and an advisory body.
144By providing insight into workers’ concerns and helping communication between workers and management, the committee becomes an advocate for the IRS. 
145The committee may also monitors the policies, procedures, and programs of the health and safety system and suggests ways of improving them.
146The health and safety committee may also contribute to the health and safety assessment of new facilities, equipment, material, and processes.
147You will learn more about the roles and responsibilities of health and safety committees in modules 2 and 3.
148
149JHSCCBC_M1_S23
150Here’s a question to review your understanding of the IRS. 
151As you know, everyone has health safety responsibilities under a strong IRS. What are workers responsible for under the IRS? [Pause]
152Under the IRS workers are responsible for following safety rules and reporting hazards. It’s not the responsibility of workers to discipline other workers or enforce safety rules; that’s the job of management.
153
154JHSCCBC_M1_S24
155In an ideal system, all issues are resolved from the bottom up by the people with direct responsibility. This may be a worker, supervisor, or manager.
156If issues cannot be resolved at that level and there is no immediate threat to health and safety, the concern should be brought to the attention of the next level of authority.
157 When issues are not addressed, workers are more likely to get injured and the number of work refusals increase.  This is a major indicator that the system is failing and it is time to ask for outside help.
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159JHSCCBC_M1_S25
160Sometimes concerns cannot be resolved within the internal responsibility system. With a strong IRS, individuals recognize when they don’t have the ability to address the concerns satisfactorily. That’s the time to seek help from the external responsibility system.  
161The external responsibility system is made up of government bodies and public and private organizations that are devoted to improving workplace health and safety conditions.
162Some of the organizations which make up the external responsibility system include government ministries, health and safety associations (such as the Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety and Health), private health and safety trainers and consultants, occupational health clinics, industrial hygienists, and the local fire department.  These and other organizations can provide expertise and assistance to help resolve problems that are beyond the capacity of the IRS.
163 
164 
165
166JHSCCBC_M1_S26
167Module 1 focused on the internal responsibility system, or IRS. You learned that the IRS is a workplace partnership that involves everyone in the organization to identify and resolve occupational health and safety issues in order to prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.  
168The guiding principle behind the IRS is that workplace parties are in the best position to identify health and safety problems and develop solutions. 
169You learned about the 3 C’s (competence, commitment, and capacity) and how they relate to the IRS, the responsibilities of the various parties, and the external responsibility system.
170Now we’ll follow up with a short quiz
171 
172JHSCCBC_M2_S1
173Module 2: British Colombia Health and Safety Law
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175JHSCCBC_M2_S2
176Each of the 14 jurisdictions in Canada (1 federal, 10 provincial, and 3 territorial) has its own occupational health and safety legislation. The internal responsibility system, which you learned about in module 1, is the principle behind health and safety legislation in all Canadian jurisdictions.
177Federal legislation covers employees of the federal government and Crown agencies and corporations throughout Canada.
178Provincial or territorial legislation applies to most other workers -- approximately 90% of the workforce.
179
180JHSCCBC_M2_S3
181In this module we will discuss the history and structure of health and safety law in Canada, including workers’ rights, the general duty of employers, and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, or WHMIS. 
182You will learn about the requirements of British Columbia laws and regulations, including responsibilities, enforcement, inspections, reporting, programs, work refusals, and health and safety committees. 
183This module presents an overview of the OHS legislation in your jurisdiction. It is not a substitute for the actual laws and regulations, which can change. All the occupational health and safety legislation is available on the Internet.
184
185JHSCCBC_M2_S4
186Workers have been hurt and killed on the job since ancient times. 
187 
188Workers were considered replaceable; injuries were the cost of getting work done. 
189Conditions for workers in Canada worsened during the long depression of the 1870s. Employers argued that workers contributed to their injuries, relieving the employers of responsibility for working conditions. The common thinking was that workers accepted the risks when they accepted the job. 
190 
191JHSCCBC_M2_S5
192In the late 19th century the Ontario Factory Act was the first to establish workplace safety standards, regulating heating, lighting, and machine guarding. 
193In 1887, a Royal Commission investigated the conditions of workers across Canada. 
194By the early 20th century every province had passed laws to regulate health and safety in factories. 
195In 1979 Uranium miners in Eliot Lake went on strike over health and safety conditions. Dr. James Ham chaired a Royal Commission to investigate conditions. His report included the concept of the internal responsibility system, which has become the guiding principle of occupational health and safety in Canada. 
196
197JHSCCBC_M2_S6
198Every employer in Canada has a general duty to ensure, as far as is reasonably practical, the safety and health of employees and comply with safety and health legislation. 
199Because of their general duty, employers may have to take measures to protect their employees that go beyond the laws and regulations.
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201JHSCCBC_M2_S7
202Workers in Canada have three rights that cannot be legally denied. These include the right to know, the right to participate, and the right to refuse unsafe work.
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204JHSCCBC_M2_S8
205Workers have the right to know about any potential hazards to which they may be exposed. This means the right to be trained and to have information on machinery, equipment, working conditions, processes and hazardous substances, and any other hazards of their jobs. 
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207JHSCCBC_M2_S9
208Workers have the right to be part of the process of identifying and resolving workplace health and safety concerns.  They have a right to ask questions and to be a part of the solution.  This right is expressed through worker membership on the joint health and safety committee.
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210JHSCCBC_M2_S10
211Workers have the right to refuse work that they believe is dangerous to their health and safety.
212The right to refuse unsafe work not does not apply in all situations; a worker cannot refuse if the danger is a natural part of the job. For example, a window washer cannot refuse to work at heights, because that is part of the job. However, he or she could refuse if the proper fall protection were not available. 
213We will look at the right to refuse in more detail later in this module.
214
215JHSCCBC_M2_S11
216WHMIS, or the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, is a comprehensive plan to reduce the injuries, illnesses, deaths, medical costs, and property damage caused by hazardous materials. As part of their right to know, workers have the right to know about the hazardous materials they work with. 
217Employers must train workers who are exposed to hazardous products in the workplace. They must also make sure that the products are labelled and that a safety data sheet (formerly called material safety data sheet or MSDS) is present for each product and available to workers. 
218Workers must participate in the training programs and use what they learn to work safely with hazardous materials. 
219
220JHSCCBC_M2_S12
221As you learned earlier in this module, every province has its own occupational health and safety law. In BC that law is the Workers Compensation Act, or WCA. The rest of this module concerns this act and the regulations that go with it. 
222The WCA describes the jurisdiction of the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia and its authority to make regulations, inspect workplaces, issue orders and impose penalties. Part 3 of the Act addresses occupational health and safety.
223WorkSafeBc administers the Workers’ Compensation Act for the B.C. Ministry of Labour.  The Act gives WorkSafeBC the legal authority to set and enforce occupational health and safety standards and establish policies regarding occupational health and safety, and compensation, rehabilitation, and assessment. 
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225JHSCCBC_M2_S13
226In addition to the Act, employers must comply with regulations made under the Act. The Act sets out the principals of the law where the regulations state how the Act will be applied. Division 17 of Part 3 of the Act gives the Board the authority to make occupational health and safety regulations. 
227The regulations are compiled in the OHS Regulation. 
228Regulations made under the Act address over a variety of topics, including chemical and biological agents, confined spaces, fall protection, blasting, firefighting, and many more. 
229Many parts of the OHS Regulation have guidelines, which help interpret and apply the Regulation. 
230
231JHSCCBC_M2_S14
232The OHS Act and Regulation apply to most workers and employers in the province. The main exceptions are: mines, federal government employees and workers in federally regulated industries, such as banking, interprovincial transportation, and telecommunications.
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234JHSCCBC_M2_S15
235True or False. The Act applies to this teacher. 
236True or False. The Act applies to these construction workers. [Pause]
237Both statements are true. The Act applies to the teacher and the construction workers because they do not work in the mines, in federal government, or in federally regulated industries.
238
239JHSCCBC_M2_S16
240A number of words and terms from the Workers’ Compensation Act and OHS Regulation that are used in this module are defined below. Understanding these words and terms will help you understand the rules that govern occupational health and safety in British Columbia.
241Act refers to the Worker Compensation Act.
242Board means Workers’ Compensation Board.
243Committee refers to the joint health and safety committee.
244Employer means person who has one or more persons working for them in or about an industry, through either a hiring contract or an apprenticeship contract. 
245Joint committee refers to the joint health and safety committee or committee. 
246
247JHSCCBC_M2_S17
248The term “officer” refers to an appointed officer of the Workers’ Compensation Board who conducts inquiries, investigations, and inspections and makes decisions or exercises powers under the Act.
249Practicable means that which is reasonably possible. 
250Regulation means the OHS Regulation, which is the compilation of the regulations made under the Act.
251A supervisor is a person who instructs, directs and controls workers in the performance of their duties.
252
253JHSCCBC_M2_S18
254Violence means the attempted or actual exercise of physical force against a worker.
255A workplace is any place where a worker is or is likely to be engaged in any work and includes any vessel, vehicle, or mobile equipment used by a worker in work.
256The Workers’ Compensation Board or WCB has the authority under the WCA to make and enforce regulations, inspect workplaces, and issue orders.
257WorkSafeBC is the operating name of  the WCB. It consults with and educate employers and workers and enforces the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. 
258
259JHSCCBC_M2_S19
260The Act assigns responsibility to each person in the workplace for creating and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Everyone has a personal and shared responsibility to work together to prevent workplace injuries and illness. 
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262JHSCCBC_M2_S20
263Because they have the greatest degree of authority and control over the operations of the workplace, employers have the greatest degree of responsibility for workplace safety and health. 
264Employers must ensure the health and safety of their employees and other workers at the workplace. They must comply with the Act and Regulation.
265In addition, employers must control hazards, establish policies and programs, provide protective equipment and devices, provide workers with the information, training, and supervision they need to work safety, and cooperate with the safety and health committee or representative and the Board. 
266Employers must also ensure they have a copy of the act and regulation available for workers to review and that it’s location is posted for workers information.
267
268JHSCCBC_M2_S21
269Workers must protect themselves and others and comply with the Act and Regulation.
270They must use required protective equipment; not engage in horseplay, avoid alcohol and drugs at work; report hazards; and cooperate with the joint committee or worker health and safety representative and the Board. 
271
272JHSCCBC_M2_S22
273Supervisors must ensure the health and safety of workers under their supervision and comply with the Act and Regulation. They must make sure workers are aware of health and safety hazards and that they comply with the Act and Regulation. Supervisors must also cooperate with the health and safety committee or representative and with the Board. 
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275JHSCCBC_M2_S23
276As part of their right to know, workers have the right to know about the occupational health and safety rules that apply to them and their employer. Employers must have up‐to‐date paper or electronic copies of OHS legislation readily available to workers during all shifts. Employers must also post orders and inspection reports as well as health and safety committee information.
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278JHSCCBC_M2_S24
279Workplaces with 20 or more workers must have health and safety committees with members who represent workers and members who represent the employer. The committee must have 2 co-chairs: one representing workers and one representing the employer. Committees must have at least four members, with at least half representing employees
280The committee must meet regularly at least once each month, unless another schedule is permitted or required by regulation or order. 
281
282JHSCCBC_M2_S25
283co-chairs or employers (with input from employees) must do written evaluation every year. The evaluations must measure specified criteria. The joint committee must review the evaluation. The evaluation and the review must be incorporated into the committee’s minutes. 
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285JHSCCBC_M2_S26
286The evaluation will determine whether or not the committee met the membership requirements, whether representatives were selected properly, whether members received the necessary instruction and training, and whether the committee fulfilled each of its duties, including meeting regularly and preparing reports of those meetings. 
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288JHSCCBC_M2_S27
289The evaluation will also review whether the employer is fulfilling their obligations to the committee, including responding to recommendations, posting committee information, providing time off from work for committee members to meet and perform their other duties, and supplying the committee with the required equipment, premises, clerical personnel and information.
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291JHSCCBC_M2_S28
292Workplaces with ten or more employees must provide minimum training: 8 hours for new committee members and 4 hours for new health and safety representatives. This training is in addition to the eight hours of annual educational leave they are entitled to.
293Training must take place no more than six months after their duties begin; records of training must be kept. 
294Exemptions may be allowed for employees with relevant experience.
295
296JHSCCBC_M2_S29
297When an incident occurs, employers with 10 or more employees must make sure a worker representative from the health and safety committee (or the health and safety representative) and an employer representative must, at a minimum, help the investigator gather and analyze information and identify corrective measures. 
298
299JHSCCBC_M2_S30
300Like other workplace parties, workplace health and safety committees and representatives have legal responsibilities. 
301While the employer is ultimately responsible for the overall health and safety program, the committee is responsible for identifying and recommending solutions to problems. 
302The Committee also:
303Hears workers’ concerns; 
304Consults with workers and the employer on issues related to health and safety; and
305Makes recommendations to improve health and safety; 
306
307JHSCCBC_M2_S31
308The committee also:
309Advises the employer on programs and policies required under the regulations and monitors their effectiveness;
310Advises the employer on proposed changes to the workplace, such as changes to equipment, machinery, or work processes;
311Ensures accident investigations and inspections  are carried out; and
312Participates in inspections, investigations, and inquiries.
313
314JHSCCBC_M2_S32
315If a JHSC sends a request to an employer, the employer must respond in writing within 21 days. The employer may accept the recommendations or give reasons for not accepting it. 
316If a joint committee is unable to reach agreement on a matter relating to the health or safety of workers, a co-chair of the committee may report this to the Board, which may investigate and try to resolve the matter.
317
318JHSCCBC_M2_S33
319Every employer must ensure that regular inspections are made of all workplaces, including buildings, structures, grounds, excavations, tools, equipment, machinery and work methods and practices. Inspections must take place at intervals that will prevent the development of unsafe working conditions.
320Additionally, inspections must be made when required by malfunction or accident. 
321The JHSC must make sure the employer is carrying out regular inspections.
322
323JHSCCBC_M2_S34
324The inspection must include members of the JHSC or the worker health and safety representative whenever possible. If there is no committee or worker health and safety representative the employer must designate an employer representative and the union must designate a worker representative to participate in the inspection. If there is no union the employer must invite the workers to designate a fellow worker for the inspection.
325
326JHSCCBC_M2_S35
327Employers must immediately notify the Board of any accident that results in death of a worker or serious injury.  The employer must also report a major structural failure or collapse of a building, bridge, tower, crane, hoist, temporary construction support system, or excavation.  A major release of a hazardous substance must also be reported. 
328Finally, employers must notify the Board of any accident that involved a fire or explosion that had a potential for causing serious injury to a worker
329
330JHSCCBC_M2_S36
331An employer must immediately investigate the cause of any reportable accident or any other incident that results in injury to a worker that requires medical treatment, The employer must also investigate an incident that did not cause serious injury but had a potential to do so, in other words, a close call or near miss. 
332
333JHSCCBC_M2_S37
334The person who conducts the investigation should be knowledgeable about the work. Representatives of employees and of the employer should participate in the investigation if they are available. Witnesses should be interviewed if possible. 
335
336JHSCCBC_M2_S38
337The first step is a preliminary investigation undertaken by the employer that identifies any unsafe acts or conditions that contributed to the incident and determines corrective action necessary to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents. The employer must prepare a report of the investigation within 48 hours, and provide copies to the Board and to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative.
338
339JHSCCBC_M2_S39
340At the conclusion of the preliminary investigation, the employer must immediately undertake any corrective action determined to be necessary. 
341If the employer takes corrective action, the employer must prepare a report of the action take and provide the report to the committee or worker health and safety representative. 
342
343JHSCCBC_M2_S40
344Once the preliminary investigation is complete, the employer must immediately undertake a full investigation to determine the cause or causes of the incident and further identify any unsafe conditions, acts, or procedures that significantly contributed to the incident. 
345If the employer identifies unsafe conditions, the employer must determine the corrective action necessary. 
346The employer must ensure that a report of the full investigation is submitted to the Board within 30 days of the occurrence of the incident and provided to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative. 
347Once the investigation is complete, the employer must immediately undertake any corrective action and prepare report of the action taken for the committee. 
348
349JHSCCBC_M2_S41
350Division 11 of Part 3 of the Act gives officers the authority to enter a workplace at any reasonable hour to investigate an incident or complaint; to prevent work-related accidents, injuries, or illnesses; or to determine compliance with OHS requirements.  
351The officer may inspect the work site, take samples, and conduct tests. He or she may examine records, question people, take photographs or recordings, and attend training sessions. 
352A person who is questioned by an officer on an inspection is entitled to be accompanied during the questioning by a person of his or her choice.
353
354JHSCCBC_M2_S42
355If an officer makes a physical inspection of a workplace  the employer or a representative of the employer and representative of workers are entitled to accompany the officer on the inspection.
356
357JHSCCBC_M2_S43
358The Board or an officer has the authority to order the employer to shut down any job or workplace or stop using any equipment if an immediate danger exists that is likely to cause serious injury, death or disease. A copy of the order must be posted as directed and a copy given to the joint health and safety committee or worker health and safety representative. 
359
360JHSCCBC_M2_S44
361Here’s a question to review what you know about the inspections by WCB officers. 
362When an WCB officer comes to the work site, what can he or she do?
363[Pause]
364The officer can interview workers, take photos or samples, and order work stopped. It’s not the officer’s job to discipline workers. 
365
366JHSCCBC_M2_S45
367If a worker has a health or safety complaint, he or she should first the complaint to the supervisor. If a situation is not handled to the worker’s satisfaction, a member of the JHSC should be contacted to help resolve the matter. 
368The employer or supervisor must not in any way discourage a worker or a dependent of the worker from reporting a safety or health concern.
369
370JHSCCBC_M2_S46
371Division 5 of Part 3 of the Act states that workers may not be discriminated against for exercising their rights under the Act. Discriminatory action include suspension, lay-off, dismissal, demotion, loss of opportunity for promotion, coercion, intimidation, discipline, reprimand, or job elimination. 
372A worker who believes he or she has been discriminated against regarding a health or safety issue can request an investigation by an officer. If the officer cannot resolve the situation the worker can file a formal complaint.  
373
374JHSCCBC_M2_S47
375Employees’ personal medical information must not be disclosed without their approval except in emergency situations. 
376
377JHSCCBC_M2_S48
378The Board may require employers of workers who are exposed to certain hazardous conditions to establish a medical monitoring program. The Board may require that these workers be medically certified as to their physical fitness for the work.
379
380JHSCCBC_M2_S49
381A risk assessment must be performed in any workplace in which workers may be at risk for injury from violence. If a risk is identified the employer must establish policies, procedures, and work environment arrangements to eliminate (or minimize if elimination is not possible) the risk to workers from violence.
382The employer must tell employees who may be at risk the nature and extent of the risk. The employer must advise a worker who reports an injury or other adverse symptom from an incident of violence to consult a physician of the worker’s choice for treatment or referral. 
383
384JHSCCBC_M2_S50
385The risk assessment is a step-by-step review of a workplace by workers and management working together to identify the existing and potential hazards of each situation.
386A risk assessment should consider the nature and physical conditions of the workplace, the type of work, and the activities workers perform. It should also look at any other aspects of the job that could contribute to workplace violence.
387
388JHSCCBC_M2_S51
389As you learned earlier in this module, workers have the right to refuse work that they believe it is dangerous to their own health or safety or the health or safety of another worker.
390A worker who refuses work must follow the work refusal process. The first step is to notify the employer or supervisor of the refusal and the reason for it. 
391
392JHSCCBC_M2_S52	
393The employer may assign the worker to a temporary assignment as long as there is no loss of pay.  
394A worker who believes that he or she has been dismissed or subject to disciplinary action because of a work refusal may file a complaint with an officer. 
395
396JHSCCBC_M2_S53
397The supervisor or employer must investigate the work refusal and either correct the condition or decide the worker’s report is not valid. If the worker continues to refuse to work, the supervisor or employer must investigate in the presence of a worker member of the JHSC. 
398
399JHSCCBC_M2_S54
400If the matter still cannot be resolved, an WCB officer must be called in. The officer will come to the workplace, investigate the refusal, and make a final decision in writing.
401 
402The employer or the worker has the right to appeal the officer’s decision.
403
404JHSCCBC_M2_S55
405The greenhouse worker in this video has just been asked to spray pesticide on the crop of lettuce. He’s never done this before, hasn’t been trained to do it, and doesn’t have any personal protective equipment. Can he refuse? 
406[Pause 3 seconds]
407Yes, the worker can refuse. He believes the work is dangerous. While it may be a normal part of his job, he hasn’t been trained to do it and doesn’t have any PPE. 
408
409JHSCCBC_M2_S56
410An employer with 20 or more workers at a moderate to high risk workplace and all employers with 50 or more workers must have an OHS program. The type of program depends on the size of the workforce and the nature and extent of the risks and hazards in the workplace. 
411The OHS program should address the specific needs of the individual workplace. 
412At a minimum, all formal OHS programs must have seven standard elements: 
4131. An OHS policy statement of the aims of the program and the 
414responsibilities for health and safety 
4152. Regular inspection of premises, machinery, tools, equipment, and 
416work practices 
4173. Appropriate written instructions for workers 
4184. Periodic management meetings to discuss health and safety 
4195. Investigation of accidents and other incidents in order to take action 
420to prevent similar incidents 
4216. Records and statistics and
4227. Instruction and supervision of workers 
423
424JHSCCBC_M2_S57
425Division 12 gives the Board the authority to levy administrative penalties.
426Administrative penalties are fines imposed on employers for health and safety violations of the Act and/or Regulation. The purpose of administrative penalties is to motivate employers to comply with the Act and Regulation.
427The penalty amount is based on the nature of the violation, the employer's compliance history, and the employer's assessable payroll. Once a penalty is imposed, the employer has 90 days to appeal. 
428
429JHSCCBC_M2_S58
430WorkSafeBC can refer cases to Crown Counsel to consider for prosecution. 
431Although prosecutions are infrequent, the Crown may pursue formal charges rather than administrative remedies in cases of serious non-compliance. 
432
433JHSCCBC_M2_S59
434Contact WorkSafeBC for more information about occupational health and safety law in British Columbia.  
435
436JHSCCBC_M2_S60
437In this module you learned about the history and structure of health and safety law in Canada. Much of the module focused on BC’s Workers Compensation Act and Regulation, including responsibilities; programs; inspections and investigations; health and safety committees; work refusal; and penalties.
438We’ll follow up with a short quiz. 
439 
440JHSCCBC_M3_S1
441Module 3: Health and Safety Committees
442
443JHSCCBC_M3_S2
444In this module we will explore the roles and responsibilities of health and safety committees. You will learn about the many benefits of having an effective health and safety committee at your workplace, including the committee’s value to the internal responsibility system. 
445In Module 2 you learned about the requirements for health and safety committees in your province or territory. In this module you will learn best practices for conducting meetings, communicating effectively, and having a successful committee. 
446
447JHSCCBC_M3_S3
448Having a joint health and safety committee best represents the right to participate, ask questions, and be part of the solution.  The committee is not the internal responsibility system, but rather the internal auditor of the system. 
449To maintain an effective internal responsibility system, workers must be involved in decisions that affect them. The health and safety committee provides a method of involving workers in health and safety decisions.
450The committee is expected to help the employer communicate information to workers about workplace hazards, safety rules, work practices and worker rights.  In short, the committee helps the employer put the right to know into practice.
451
452JHSCCBC_M3_S4
453Committee members are expected to attend meetings, contribute to efforts to improve health and safety. In order to fulfill their duties members must be informed about occupational health and safety and listen to the ideas and concerns of non-members. 
454
455JHSCCBC_M3_S5
456Members of the committee must truly believe in what they are trying to achieve because they become the role model for the organization.  
457The committee members, along with supervisors and management must walk the talk and demonstrate every day that safety is more important than any other company directive.
458
459JHSCCBC_M3_S6
460An effective committee protects workers by preventing injuries and illnesses. 
461Indirect benefits include increased worker awareness of health and safety, inclusiveness, team unity, and management buy-in, as well as reduced costs. Ultimately, a health and safety committeee promotes a positive safety culture.
462
463JHSCCBC_M3_S7
464Worker members must be selected by workers, usually through an election process.
465When there is no interest in joining the health and safety committee it may be because there is a misunderstanding of the role or liability a committee member has.  The lack of interest is also a strong indicator that the internal responsibility system is weak and the management system is failing.
466 
467JHSCCBC_M3_S8
468Management members are chosen by the employer, usually based on their responsibility and authority.
469
470JHSCCBC_M3_S9
471As you know, not all health and safety committees have the same responsibilities. Many conduct regular inspections, identify and evaluate hazards, and make recommendations to management for controlling hazards. Often, committees investigate incidents and worker complaints and conduct right to refuse investigations. They may have responsibilities for developing training programs.
472Individual members may be asked to take on specific responsibilities, such as conducting inspections, incident investigations, or workplace exposures.
473Additionally, they may be attending refusal to work situations, accompanying a health and safety officer on inspections, and attending the start of workplace testing. 
474
475JHSCCBC_M3_S10
476The employer may delegate responsibilities to the committee, but the committee is not expected to be a safety officer and enforce health and safety rules.
477 
478The committee’s job is to identify hazards and make recommendations, NOT to carry out the necessary changes and enforce rules.
479
480JHSCCBC_M3_S11	
481Communication is anything that we do to inform, get information, or influence others.  
482It includes what we say or write; our gestures, tone of voice and expression or body language; and our actions or lack of action. 
483Effective communication is essential for committees to fulfill their responsibilities and stimulate safety awareness. It raises morale, increases support for safety and health, and prevents conflict. 
484Good communication skills during committee meetings helps get things done. Committees use many methods of communication to get their messages across, including one-on-one discussions, bulletins, posters, short publications, and safety videos. Effective communication allows opportunity for discussion, questions, and feedback.
485
486JHSCCBC_M3_S12
487The committee is expected to help the employer communicate information to workers about workplace hazards, safety rules, work practices, and worker rights.  In short, the committee helps the employer put the right to know into practice.
488
489JHSCCBC_M3_S13
490Effective communication increases motivation.  People are more likely to support an idea if they understand the reasoning behind it. 
491Workers are more likely to follow a safe work procedure if they understand how the procedure controls the hazards involved in the work. 
492Likewise, people who are kept informed feel involved and believe their opinions are important. 
493
494JHSCCBC_M3_S14
495Here’s a question to review the responsibilities of a health and safety committee.
496While specific responsibilities of health and safety committees may differ according to the jurisdiction and workplace, certain basic responsibilities apply to all health and safety committees.
497Pick out basic responsibilities of the committee from this list.
498[Pause 3 seconds]
499If you choose 2,3, and 5 you would be correct.
500It’s not up to the committee to make health and safety policies or enforce safety rules. Rather, the committee makes recommendations to the employer, helps the employer communicate health and safety information to workers, and listens to worker concerns.
501
502JHSCCBC_M3_S15
503Every effective health and safety committee has an agreement between the members that sets out exactly the rules and requirements of the committee.
504 
505Often called “terms of reference,” such an agreement sets the ground rules for membership. It provides a framework for knowing who is part of the group, what they are supposed to do, and how they may do their work.
506The terms of reference must be consistent with the health and safety legislation. A copy of the document should be provided to each member of the committee and reviewed with new members as a part of their orientation.
507The terms of reference document should include guidance on:
508Committee structure and objectives;
509Workplace inspections;
510Committee meetings;
511Incident investigations; and
512Document retention.
513
514JHSCCBC_M3_S16
515In describing the committee structure, the terms of reference should include legal requirements, which may include the number of members, the length of terms, the frequency of meetings, and the ratio of worker to management members. It should also address how various duties will be assigned. The terms of reference for committee structure should also specify how representation of the entire workplace (including all shifts and departments) will be achieved.
516The election process should be detailed and include methods for canvassing potential members and voting.
517Training is another key element of the terms of reference.  The document should outline which members are to receive training, what kind of training they will receive, and when.
518Outlining specific member duties sets the expectation for active participation, including attending meetings and taking turns conducting workplace inspections. 
519
520JHSCCBC_M3_S17
521The terms of reference allows the joint health and safety committee to schedule all of the inspections for the year in advance and develop a customized inspection checklist.
522You will learn more about workplace inspections in Module 6 of this course.
523
524JHSCCBC_M3_S18
525Most companies have a process for investigating incidents, including all the necessary forms.  The committee can base its role in incident investigation on this process. 
526The committee may be involved in other near miss and minor incident investigations as agreed upon in the terms of reference.
527Module 7 provides more information about incident investigation. 
528
529JHSCCBC_M3_S19
530In this module we use the phrase “terms of reference” for an agreement between committee members about what they are supposed to do. Not all health and safety committees use this phrase. What’s another phrase that would have a similar meeting? Choose the best one from this list.
531[Pause 3 seconds]
532Number 2 is the best answer. Terms of reference are ground rules for how the committee will operate. 
533
534JHSCCBC_M3_S20
535Meetings keep committees focused on their central role as internal auditors of the IRS. They offer committee members a chance to discuss concerns and make suggestions for corrective action.  
536By meeting regularly to discuss and resolve concerns, the committee and the employer demonstrate that they take safety and health seriously.
537Best practice is to hold meetings within a week of the inspections. Meetings are required to be held at least monthly in Alberta.
538
539 JHSCCBC_M3_S21
540Organizing meetings is not a simple matter. It involves scheduling, preparing agendas, and ensuring a quorum -- just to get started. The meeting itself requires minutes and follow up. 
541
542JHSCCBC_M3_S22
543Agendas are essential to a successful meeting. If they are sent out in advance they give members time to prepare for the meeting. Agendas also ensure that all items receive adequate attention, that the meeting stays on track, and that the meeting is documented.
544Good agendas state the meeting date and start and end times as well as the meeting location and those expected to attend. Members responsible for specific tasks such, as chairing the meeting, taking minutes, and keeping time, may be identified in the agenda. 
545 
546JHSCCBC_M3_S23
547Agenda items may include inspection and investigation reports, orders, statistics, policies, and sampling results. 
548Each agenda item should include the planned time limits for discussion, the person who presented the idea, the desired outcome, and the person responsible for reporting the item at the meeting.
549Ideally, the worker and management co-chairs alternate chairing the meeting.
550
551JHSCCBC_M3_S24
552Agenda items are presented in the order they will be discussed. Important topics are discussed early on and decisions made while people are fresh.
553Unresolved items and items that require detailed study (for example, air quality issues) should be carried over to the next meeting and discussed first at that meeting.
554 Appropriate target dates must be set for all outstanding items, making sure temporary controls are in place until the item is permanently resolved.
555When outstanding items and the corresponding recommendations have not been carried out, the committee must look at why that is the case.
556It might be that the original recommendation may not have been feasible, and a different recommendation is needed.  
557
558JHSCCBC_M3_S25
559A quorum is the number of people required to hold the meeting.  The quorum should always consist of at least one-half worker members.  Alternate or replacement committee members may be selected so a quorum can always be formed.
560
561JHSCCBC_M3_S26
562 
563New concerns will be brought up at committee meetings. Each new concern must be discussed to determine the validity of the concern, the root cause of the problem, and appropriate solutions to the problem. Temporary solutions may be needed until more permanent controls can be put in place.
564What might be discussed under new concerns?
565 
566Accidents and incidents;
567How to improve the current state of health & safety at the workplace;
568Training and education; and any upcoming
569changes in legislation.
570 
571Discussing accidents and near miss incidents on a regular basis allows the committee to identify trends, discuss underlying causes and suggest improvements in existing controls.
572
573JHSCCBC_M3_S27
574Employers must pay committee members for the time they spend on committee duties. This may include time spent at meetings, doing or accompanying inspections or investigations, addressing work refusals, and observing testing. 
575Members should make sure their supervisors are aware of time they take for committee activities. 
576 
577JHSCCBC_M3_S28
578Members must have the tools, training, and support they need to fulfill their responsibilities.
579Training on the IRS, health and safety law, hazard identification and control, inspections and investigations and company policies and procedures will help individuals be active and effective committee members. 
580A safety-conscious employer will want to help the committee be effective.  Therefore, the employer should provide adequate resources, time, and training to help the committee function effectively.  
581
582JHSCCBC_M3_S29
583Committee members are entitled to information the employer has about health and safety.
584This may include fire safety reports, reports from a structural engineer, government orders, Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards, sampling results, ergonomic studies, workers compensation statistics, accident summaries, near miss reports, company policies, standard operating procedures, and government guides.  
585 
586
587JHSCCBC_M3_S30
588A major role of the health and safety committees is to encourage workers to discuss their concerns and suggest solutions.
589Some of the health and safety concerns brought to the committee may have easy solutions, while others may be more difficult to resolve. 
590Discussing safety issues or poor work habits with co-workers is never easy; that’s why it’s important for management to fully support the committee by leading by example and addressing worker concerns through monitoring and enforcing established policies and procedures.
591 Having management fully committed to health and safety sends a clear message to those who violate company policy and procedures.  The stronger the health and safety structure in the workplace, the easier it is for the committee to exercise its role. 
592
593JHSCCBC_M3_S31
594Take a look at this video. The person in the video is not following safe work practices. If you observed this behaviour during an inspection, what might you, as a committee member do?
595[Pause 5 seconds]
596If you said “Speak to the worker” you would be right. It’s not up to the committee to reprimand a worker, but not saying anything re-enforces the unsafe behaviour. 
597
598JHSCCBC_M3_S32
599Formal written recommendations are important for documenting the work of the committee and communicating with the employer. 
600
601JHSCCBC_M3_S33
602Ultimately, meetings are of little use if the recommendations they produce do not convince the employer to take corrective action. 
603Committees will be more likely to have their recommendations acted on if they identify the root causes of problems and develop cost-effective options for controlling them.
604The committee needs to follow up on all recommendations to see if they were implemented and if not, why not.
605
606JHSCCBC_M3_S34
607Conflict is bound to show up in any group.  Within a joint health and safety committee, both the management and worker representatives come from different positions within the organization. Their health and safety experiences and goals are often different.
608Conflict becomes a problem when people personalize it. Personal attacks and statements such as “You don’t know what you are talking about...” or “Who are you to be suggesting...” are strong indicators of conflict between people rather than between issues.  
609 
610 
611Conflict may also occur at meetings when contentious items get onto the agenda without notice and members are not properly prepared to discuss the topic.
612Co-chairs must ensure discussions remain civil, determine the root cause of the disagreement and go from there.  
613
614JHSCCBC_M3_S35
615If the discussion revolves around whether a concern poses a hazard refer to the Act.  Sometimes it may be necessary to consult an internal or external third party who has expertise in the area or subject.
616In general, the chair is responsible for promoting participation, sticking to the agenda, focusing committee members on the topic at hand, and ensuring decisions are made and recorded.
617Outlining meeting rules and acceptable behaviours in advance as part of the terms of reference may be useful in tackling those difficult situations likely to occur during a committee meeting.
618
619JHSCCBC_M3_S36
620Take a look at this video. Two committee members disagree on a safety issue. How might this conflict have been avoided?
621[Pause 5 seconds]
622Kicking a member off the committee and taking a vote on who is right and who is wrong are not good ways to resolve conflict. Practicing active listening skills, not taking things personally, and setting ground rules for making decisions are techniques that can help avoid and resolve conflict. 
623
624JHSCCBC_M3_S37
625Minutes are a summary of the facts of the meeting and should include the time, date and location of the meeting; names of those present and whether they represent workers or management and those who were absent.
626All items discussed, whether on the agenda or not and all actions agreed upon must be listed; include the names of the people accountable for action and the anticipated completion date.
627
628JHSCCBC_M3_S38
629Keep in mind, it is practically impossible to take accurate notes while chairing the meeting and don’t even try to write verbatim; you won’t be able to keep up!  
630Instead, practice active listening and focus on recording the facts or ideas so that you understand what is said.  If you can’t hear or understand someone, ask them to repeat or clarify and finally; read out loud all decisions and recommendations to avoid disagreement later.
631Minutes should be distributed and posted according to the terms of reference.
632
633JHSCCBC_M3_S39
634Whether or not the minutes are legally required to be posted, posting them is  a best practice that allows the rest of the workforce to access the information.
635
636JHSCCBC_M3_S40
637 
638As we know from module 2, Health and Safety Law, inspectors or officers from the government have the job of enforcing the OHS laws and regulations.
639They may visit and inspect the workplace, take samples, and talk to workers. Committees may be involved in these inspections.
640
641JHSCCBC_M3_S41
642An inspector who visits a workplace for the purposes of performing an inspection will typically ask to speak with someone in charge of health and safety as well as a worker member of the committee or other representative of workers.
643 The inspector may ask to see copies of meeting minutes, inspection reports, and other documents before starting the physical inspection of the workplace. 
644
645JHSCCBC_M3_S42
646Following the inspection, the inspector will write up a report.  Typically, the inspector will sit down with both the worker rep and a member of management to explain the report and answer any questions the committee member may have.   
647The committee should get a copy of the report, which should be discussed at the next health and safety committee meeting. 
648
649JHSCCBC_M3_S43
650Once the committee has established terms of reference, it knows where it wants to go, whenever possible, members should carefully plan how to get there.  
651In other words, management should develop annual goals and objectives for the committee.  
652Developed in consultation with the joint health and safety committee, the goals should be measurable so the committee can evaluate how well it has met its objectives.   
653For example, suppose one goal is to organize a staff safety meeting three times each year.  The committee will then have to carefully plan how they can assist management achieve this goal.  At the end of the year the committee can review the plan’s progress, determine if the objectives were accomplished and how successful the results were.
654
655JHSCCBC_M3_S44
656Committees that establish goals are more likely to be successful.
657Setting and achieving measurable goals and objectives should be established and reviewed each and every year in consultation with management.
658Goals may include a reduction in claims or the duration of claims; participation in orientation, tail-gate talks and safety talks; closing of recommendations, submissions of inspection reports, reduction of work refusals and even meeting attendance.
659As a part of the annual review, the joint health and safety committee can evaluate how successful and effective their efforts have been. 
660
661JHSCCBC_M3_S45
662Activity: Set Your Goals
663Which of the following are appropriate goals for a health and safety committee?
664[Pause 2 seconds]
665While the goals of safety committees may vary, the only appropriate ones from this list are 1, reviewing the safety program, and 4, improving internal communication.  The committee does not enforce, discipline, or demand. 
666
667JHSCCBC_M3_S46
668Interactions between committee members and the workforce provide a method of reinforcing good conditions and practices.  
669The more skilled committee members become in problem solving and interpersonal communication, the more successful the entire group will become.   
670The health and safety committee must establish procedures for self-monitoring in an effort to ensure that its objectives are being reached.
671
672JHSCCBC_M3_S47
673Sharing the committee’s success stories with other workers will allow them to build confidence in the committee. 
674Let the employer know about committee members who have performed well so that they can be recognized for their efforts.  
675Recognition will help members develop a sense of accountability and pride in their contributions to the safety program. Introducing well-structured positive safety recognition programs can encourage more safe behaviour. 
676
677JHSCCBC_M3_S48
678The more visible the committee, the stronger the IRS.
679Committee members need to be visible and lead by example.  The one time you overlook an unsafe practice or condition will be the last time workers have confidence in you as an advocate for health and safety.
680
681JHSCCBC_M3_S49
682The committee may be able to increase health and safety awareness, buy-in, and employee morale by participating in the return to work process, new hire orientation, town hall meetings, safety talks, job hazard analysis, new equipment pre-start review, and training.
683While it is not a responsibility of the committee to develop or conduct the orientation and training programs, the participation of the committee further demonstrates management’s commitment to worker health and safety. 
684
685JHSCCBC_M3_S50
686A committee must have a closed loop system in which all identified hazards are addressed.  A successful committee has a method to ensure the committee follows up on all recommendations and documents their efforts. 
687
688JHSCCBC_M3_S51
689No one likes to be the last to know!  Open communication and sharing information builds strength in the IRS.  
690The committee must not only follow up with supervisors and management, but also relay information back to the workers so they can see the process working.
691Close communication between committee members, the employer, supervisors, managers and workers is critical to the success of the IRS.
692The committee is expected to help the employer communicate information to workers about workplace hazards, safety rules, work practices and worker rights.  In short, the committee helps the employer to put the right to know into practice 
693Effective communication is crucial to the success of every committee.  It raises morale, increases support for safety and health, and prevents conflict. 
694Communication is anything that we do to inform, get information from, or influence others.  
695
696JHSCCBC_M3_S52
697A successful committee responds to worker concerns promptly. The longer a worker waits for a response, the less he or she will believe in the committee and the internal responsibility system.
698
699JHSCCBC_M3_S53
700To evaluate their success, committees may ask themselves questions about inspections, reporting and investigating incidents, work refusals, worker involvement, and communication. 
701
702JHSCCBC_M3_S54
703What might the committee ask to gauge its success?
704[Pause 3 seconds]
705Except for number 3, these are all good questions for the committee to ask itself to figure out if it is being successful.  
706
707JHSCCBC_M3_S55
708It is the role of a health and safety committees to help workers and employers communicate with each other and work together to reduce injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
709Committee visibility, involvement, and effective communication build strong working relationships and trust, allowing workers to report concerns without fear, re-enforcing the IRS.
710In this module you learned about the roles and responsibilities of the committee and the importance of effective communication. You learned about terms of reference, effective meetings, and how to make committees successful. 
711Now we’ll follow up with a short quiz.
712
713JHSCCBC_M4_S1
714Module 4: Health and Safety Hazards
715
716JHSCCBC_M4_S2
717Workers may be exposed to health hazards, safety hazards, or both while they are doing their jobs.  Health and safety hazards can cause injuries, illness, or death. 
718The health and safety committee has a responsibility to help protect workers from health and safety hazards. In this module you will learn about some of the common health and safety hazards at Canadian workplaces. With this knowledge you will be better able to recognize hazards when you see them and make recommendations for controlling them.
719
720JHSCCBC_M4_S3
721A health hazard is a behaviour or condition that can make a person sick.
722Health hazards exist where there is a risk of illness or death from excessive exposure to potentially dangerous agents.
723Health hazards often lead to occupational illnesses.
724 
725JHSCCBC_M4_S4
726The term occupational illness refers to a condition that arises from work-related exposure to a physical, chemical, ergonomic or biological agent and results in an impairment of worker health.  
727Occupational illnesses result from health hazards, which are often overlooked because they tend to be less obvious than safety hazards, and it may take years for illness to appear. 
728Silicosis is an example of an occupational illness which miners and quarry workers are likely to contract.  
729Silicosis occurs when exposed workers breathe silica dust into their lungs.  This causes scar tissue to form on the lungs causing them to become less efficient.  The worker experiences shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and possibly death.
730In this module we will talk about the various physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic hazards which may lead to various health implications known as an occupational illness 
731
732JHSCCBC_M4_S5
733Work exposures can significantly affect the health of workers.
734The effects are not always immediate and may be irreversible.
735
736JHSCCBC_M4_S6
737Workers attitudes may alter their perceptions of the importance of health hazards, resulting in illness and even death.
738Young workers, for example, may believe they are invincible or will only be doing the job for a short period of time, so they don’t worry about the long term effects. 
739
740JHSCCBC_M4_S7
741The older worker may believe “it hasn’t hurt them yet” so they are ok to continue doing things the way they always have, even if they are dangerous. They may believe they have survived worse and “it worked out ok!” so they don’t have to protect themselves.
742
743JHSCCBC_M4_S8
744Health hazards commonly fall into one of four categories:
745 
746Ergonomic;
747Chemical;
748Biological; or
749Physical.
750
751JHSCCBC_M4_S9
752Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between humans, machinery, and the working environment. It’s about fitting the job to the worker. Ergonomics looks at tools and workstations as well as how workers do their jobs. 
753Ergonomic hazards are caused by poor design and organization of the work in addition to other various contributing factors that can affect workers in every type of workplace.
754Ergonomic injuries affect people who work in offices and people who do heavy physical work. Workers in healthcare, manufacturing, and construction as well as computer users have a high risk for the disabling strains, sprains, and pain of ergonomic injuries. 
755
756JHSCCBC_M4_S10
757Ergonomic hazards affect the musculoskeletal system of the body; that’s why the resulting health effects are often called musculoskeletal disorders.
758 The musculoskeletal system is made up of muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, nerves, and blood vessels.  
759
760JHSCCBC_M4_S11
761There are a number of musculoskeletal disorders, including:
762Bursitis;
763Epicondylitis;
764Carpal Tunnel Syndrome;
765Tendinitis; and
766White Finger Disease.
767These injuries have been given different terms such as repetitive strain injury or RSI and cumulative trauma disorder or CTD.  The term used in this course is musculoskeletal disorder or MSD.
768Sometimes the injury is sudden and acute, like a torn muscle however, most MSDs occur over time.
769
770JHSCCBC_M4_S12
771Certain factors increase the risk for musculoskeletal disorders. These risk factors include: 
772Awkward or sustained postures;
773Forceful exertions;
774Repetitive tasks;
775Vibration;
776Work organization;
777Work environment; and
778Stress.
779Simple and inexpensive improvements--such as more frequent breaks, adjustable workstations, and different tools-- can make a big difference in preventing MSDs.
780
781JHSCCBC_M4_S13
782Many common tasks require workers to assume awkward postures, 
783Leaning sideways to reach into a low drawer while sitting;
784Bending down to work at a low level;
785Keyboarding on a desk that is too high;
786Reaching over your head (e.g., when painting a ceiling);
787Working underneath equipment / machinery; and
788Manipulating hand-tools.
789Even comfortable postures can wear the body down if workers stay in them for long periods of time. 
790
791JHSCCBC_M4_S14
792Exertion, or force, is the amount of work required by the muscles to perform a task. Forceful exertions overloads the tendons and ligaments. Static, or stationary, work is particularly hazardous because it involves a decrease in blood flow as well as waste build up in the muscles.  
793Typically the damage results after muscles generate moderate-to-high levels of force repeatedly for a long period while the body is in an awkward posture.
794Force loads can affect different parts of the body, resulting in damage to various  parts of the musculoskeletal system. For example, lifting a heavy load that is far from the body puts pressure on the discs and vertebrae of the lower back. 
795
796JHSCCBC_M4_S15
797Repetitive movement causes wear on the muscles, joints and connective tissue over time, leading to strains and sprains. Using the same parts of the body over and over without adequate breaks can lead to fatigue, tissue damage, pain, and discomfort. Breaks allow the body to recover; without breaks the body does not have the opportunity to rest and recover, increasing the likelihood of injury.  
798Production work is often highly repetitive, using the same small hand movements over and over.
799
800JHSCCBC_M4_S16
801Vibration deprives the muscles of blood and affects the transmission of nerve impulses, contributing to the development of musculoskeletal disorders.
802
803JHSCCBC_M4_S17
804Environmental factors include lighting (such as glare on a computer screen) and temperature.
805The organization of the work is something to consider when assessing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.  Things like how often, how long, and how fast the task is performed can all increase the risk.
806 
807
808JHSCCBC_M4_S18
809Stress can come from a variety of sources: lack of job security or satisfaction, work overload, responsibilities, conflicting demands, harassment, and even isolation.
810Everyone responds differently to stress.  Personality, health, and support from friends and family all affect our responses to stress.  
811In addition to contributing to musculoskeletal disorders, stress can lead to high blood pressure, insomnia, skin rashes, digestive ailments, and emotional disorders.
812Physiological stress in the workplace is a real safety and health hazard, even though it is hard to see.
813Health and safety committee members must observe and talk with workers regularly in order to recognize stressors and their effects. 
814 
815JHSCCBC_M4_S19
816Here’s a question to review what you have learned in the section on ergonomic health hazards.
817Let’s have a quick review of ergonomic health hazards.
818Which factors contribute to musculoskeletal disorders? 
819That’s right, posture, force, repetition, and stress are risk factors that contribute to MSDs. 
820
821JHSCCBC_M4_S20
822Thousands of different chemicals are used in Canadian workplaces every day. The health effects of these chemicals range from mild irritation to serious illness to death. Many workplaces also have biological hazards. 
823In order to protect workers and comply with the law, employers must recognize, assess, and control chemical and biological hazards.  To be effective in its role, the health and safety committee must also know how to recognize, assess, and control these hazards.   
824
825JHSCCBC_M4_S21
826Biological hazards include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that can cause disease. In most workplaces, biological hazards can spread by shaking hands with an infected person, through contaminated equipment, or by ingesting contaminated food or water.
827Healthcare workers may be exposed to biological health hazards through contact with blood or other infected bodily materials.
828
829JHSCCBC_M4_S22
830Chemical hazards can take various forms. Their states can change depending on how they are used, processed, and stored.  
831Airborne contaminants can be fumes, vapours, dust, mists and smoke.
832 
833 Mist refers to liquid droplets suspended in the air, commonly from the use of aerosols.
834A vapour is the volatile form of a substance that is normally a solid or liquid at room temperature, formed through evaporation.
835Dust is a solid particle suspended in the air.  Silica for example, is a common substance found in sand, rock, and building materials such as concrete and brick.  Cutting, grinding, or drilling these materials releases dangerous crystalline silica dust into the air which can then be inhaled. 
836Smoke is carbon or soot particles suspended in the air created from incomplete combustion 
837Fumes are fine solid metal particles suspended in the air, formed when a material from a vaporized solid condenses in the air.
838JHSCCBC_M4_S23
839Chemical and biological substances can enter the body in four ways, called routes of entry. Inhalation is the most common route of entry for chemical hazards. Substances can be absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes. They can be ingested through the mouth or injected into the body with a syringe or other sharp item contaminated with a substance. 
840
841JHSCCBC_M4_S24
842Inhalation is the most common route of entry. When we breathe contaminated air, airborne biological or chemical contaminants pass the mucus membranes in the nose and go down the windpipe into the lungs.  
843
844JHSCCBC_M4_S25
845Although not common, ingestion usually occurs by accidently drinking from an unmarked container, eating contaminated food, or eating with contaminated hands.  
846The toxic substance travels the same path as food and eventually makes its way from the intestines of the digestive system into the bloodstream.
847 
848JHSCCBC_M4_S26
849Absorption can occur directly through the skin, through cuts and abrasions on the skin, and even through the mucus membranes.
850Once absorbed, contaminants pass through the skin into the small blood vessels.
851 
852JHSCCBC_M4_S27
853Injection requires that the skin be penetrated with a sharp contaminated object, typically a syringe contaminated with blood or by handling a broken chemical container.
854Injection allows the contaminant to enter the bloodstream very easily and circulate throughout the body.
855
856JHSCCBC_M4_S28
857The human body is a system of organs, muscles, tissues and interrelated systems. Damage to one organ by a hazardous agent can be catastrophic to the entire system.  
858The effects of health hazards on the body are not always readily apparent; they may be subtle and may not even be noticed until considerable irreversible damage has been done.
859
860JHSCCBC_M4_S29
861Potential health effects linked to chemical and biological exposures include, among others:
862Irritation;
863Allergic reactions;
864Depression of the central nervous system;
865Asphyxia;
866Pneumoconiosis;
867Cancer;
868and
869Damage to the reproductive system.
870
871JHSCCBC_M4_S30
872The central nervous system, or CNS, is the most complex system in the human body.  It is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The CNS sends information back and forth between the brain and other organs and limbs of the body. It also automatically maintains breathing and heart beat.
873Damage to the nervous system can permanently slow the transmission of nerve impulses causing light-headedness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, unconsciousness, trembling hands, loss of memory, crippling disability, or even death.
874Known depressants of the nervous system include toluene, xylene, ether and acetone, among others.
875
876JHSCCBC_M4_S31
877The respiratory system includes the nose, windpipe, and lungs.  The lungs remove the oxygen from the air we breathe and transfer it to the blood.
878Any chemical which interferes with the supply of oxygen to the body is called an asphyxiant, meaning it causes suffocation.  
879Many gases, such as methane, argon and propane, have the ability to displace oxygen.  
880Known asphyxiants include methane, argon, propane, and hydrogen sulphide.
881
882JHSCCBC_M4_S32
883The reproductive system of both men and women can be negatively affected by chemical and biological exposures.  Health effects may include infertility, cell mutation that affects the sperm or egg, miscarriage, and damage to the fetus, including birth defects and developmental or behavioural problems.
884
885JHSCCBC_M4_S33
886The blood is pumped through the body by the heart as part of the circulatory system.  The blood transports nutrients, including oxygen, throughout the body as well as removing waste.  Wastes, including toxins, are filtered by the liver and kidneys, making these organs extremely susceptible to irreversible damage from chemical toxins.
887
888JHSCCBC_M4_S34
889Here’s a question to review what you learned in this section on chemical and biological health hazards. 
890What are the routes of entry for chemical or biological contaminants to get into the body? 
891Injection, ingestion, inhalation, and absorption are the four routes of entry.
892
893JHSCCBC_M4_S35
894Physical factors can affect our health. Noise, vibration, stress, extreme heat or cold, radiation and stress are all examples of physical health hazards.
895
896JHSCCBC_M4_S36
897Noise is unwanted sound caused by vibrations of the air.  Noise can interfere with communication, making it a potential safety hazard as well as a health hazard.  Excessive noise can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. 
898
899JHSCCBC_M4_S37
900The body has automatic systems that cause us to sweat or shiver as needed in order to maintain the body’s internal temperature around 37.6 degrees Celsius.   
901When our core body temperature falls below 36.4 degrees Celsius or rises above 39.2 degrees Celsius, the body can no longer regulate its internal temperature and it goes into shock.  
902Hypothermia occurs when the body hits 35 degrees Celsius. Heat stroke happens at 40 degrees Celsius.
903
904JHSCCBC_M4_S38
905Various chemicals and environmental factors (like ultraviolet rays from the sun) cause or contribute to cancers.  
906Leukemia, which is cancer of the blood or bone marrow, can be contracted through ionizing radiation, which includes x-ray and gamma rays.
907Workers may also be exposed to UV radiation from the welding process, which can cause damage to the skin or or eyes.
908Non-ionizing radiation, including infrared radiation and lasers, can also damage the skin or eyes. Microwaves and radio frequency radiation can raise the temperature of body organs, and are most damaging to the reproductive system, the brain, and the eyes.
909
910JHSCCBC_M4_S39
911Occupational illnesses and other conditions caused by excessive exposure to workplace agents are often referred to as health effects or adverse health effects. 
912Adverse health effects sometimes occur from short-term exposures to high concentrations; these effects are called acute effects. Acute effects typically occur immediately or very shortly after exposure to a substance.
913Examples of acute health effects include dizziness, light headedness or unconsciousness after exposure to solvent vapours from gasoline,  or a rash from a poisonous plant.
914
915JHSCCBC_M4_S40
916Chronic health effects may take years of exposure to develop.  An example is cancer.   
917
918JHSCCBC_M4_S41
919As you learned earlier in this module, health effects often do not show up until years after exposure. The timeframe between the first exposure and the day the person begins to exhibit signs or symptoms or the disease is diagnosed is called the latency period.
920 
921JHSCCBC_M4_S42
922Synergy is defined as an interaction of materials that results in an effect that is greater than the sum of the separate effects. 
923Synergy is a very important term to understand.  When mixing chemicals in the workplace, workers must be aware of any potential synergistic properties so they can take adequate precautions.
924Lifestyle and environmental factors can also interact synergistically with some hazardous agents; for example, an asbestos worker who smokes is 80-90 times more likely to develop cancer than an asbestos worker who does not smoke.  
925 
926JHSCCBC_M4_S43
927When the body is exposed to chemicals or disease, the effects may stay localized and only affect one area of the body.  
928Other effects may be systemic, like lead poisoning, where the illness spreads throughout the entire body, damaging tissue and organs.
929
930JHSCCBC_M4_S44
931We’re at the end of the section on adverse health effects. Here’s a review question for you.
932What term applies when the interaction of materials causes an effect that is greater than the sum of the separate effects of the materials? Is it 1, time weighted average; 2, synergy; 3, latency; 4, chronicity; or 5, none of the above.
933That’s right, the term is number 2, synergy.
934
935JHSCCBC_M4_S45
936Now we’ll talk about safety hazards. Safety hazards have the potential to cause injuries, and the results can be devastating. 
937Committee members must understand and believe that these injuries are preventable and unacceptable.
938These injuries may arise from a single episode or event, but in most cases there are multiple causes that lead up to the injury. 
939Every workplace has its own set of unique hazards.  Many of them are specific to the industry or occupation.  Health and safety committee members need to  be familiar with those hazards that are specific to their workplace.
940
941JHSCCBC_M4_S46
942Uncontrolled safety hazards have the potential to cause occupational injuries. 
943Occupational injury means damage or harm done to the body, usually immediate, resulting from a workplace accident or single instantaneous exposure.
944
945JHSCCBC_M4_S47
946Safety hazards commonly fall into one of the following categories:
947 
948Machines and tools;
949Energy;
950Confined spaces;
951Material handling; 
952Work practices; or
953Working at heights.
954 
955JHSCCBC_M4_S48
956Factors that contribute to workplace accidents include people, equipment, material, the environment, and the process – often referred to as PEMEP.
957
958JHSCCBC_M4_S49
959It’s not always easy to identify the people factors that contribute to safety hazards. 
960People may become complacent and quickly forget information that could be vital.
961Individuals, both management and workers, may make decisions or fail to make decisions that negatively impact health and safety in the workplace. 
962Management has a responsibility to design safe work practices and exercise competent leadership, failure to do so places workers at risk.  
963Workers must perform the work safely and follow safe work practices. Failure to do so demonstrates poor safety behaviour.
964Training improves skills and knowledge deficiencies only; discipline corrects poor behaviour and attitude. 
965Just because a worker has been trained, does not mean he or she is able to exercise the skill.  For example, a lift truck operator may hold a certificate of competency but may not be a safe driver. 
966
967JHSCCBC_M4_S50
968Equipment factors include tools, machinery, and vehicles that may be used in the workplace.  Equipment poses a hazard if there are inadequate guards, exposing rotating parts, such as, shafts, belts, gears, pulleys and chains.  Some equipment has the potential to release heat, radiation or electricity.
969When equipment is not properly maintained it is likely to fail and cause injury.  Think of the brakes on your car and how likely they are to fail and cause catastrophic loss if they are not properly maintained!
970Workers may use the wrong tool, machine or vehicle for the job because they don’t have the right one, it is damaged or they have not be trained how to use it.  Sometimes the decision-making or people factor is a consequence of the machine or equipment factor. 
971
972JHSCCBC_M4_S51
973Material factors are the materials used in the production of goods and services in the workplace and the waste products generated. The materials may be hot, heavy, toxic or corrosive, flammable, or sharp.  
974Incidents occur based on improper handling, use, storage, or disposal or the use of the wrong materials.
975Exposure to highly toxic or physical agents is also a considerable risk factor.  It is the responsibility of the employer to develop and implement safe work practices for the handling, usage, disposal, and transport of materials in the workplace.
976 
977Material factors don’t just refer to the material itself but how and where they are stored, used, and disposed of.
978
979JHSCCBC_M4_S52
980Many factors within the work environment can lead to safety hazards.  Environmental factors can range from housekeeping issues to drastic thermal conditions and poor lighting.  Work surfaces may be slippery because of a build-up of sawdust; the mezzanine platform may have an open unguarded edge exposing a worker to a fall hazard.  
981Environmental factors are often overlooked because workers become accustomed to conditions.
982
983JHSCCBC_M4_S53
984Process factors involve the way the work is organized and designed, from the workstation to the actions used to process goods and services.  
985These factors also involve the by-products from the work or production process such as dust, mist, vapour, fumes, or gases.
986A properly designed process must have work standards that account for the identification, elimination, and control of hazards. 
987
988JHSCCBC_M4_S54
989Here’s a question on safety hazards for you.
990Which demonstrate the people factor? 
9911.	A worker who sees a spill on the floor and doesn’t wipe it up
9922.	A machine that is not working properly
9933.	Workers who are distracted and not paying attention to the work process
9944.	Poorly trained machine operators
9955.	Poor ventilation that causes workers to have headaches
996Numbers 1, 3, and 4 demonstrate the people factor. 
997
998JHSCCBC_M4_S55
999In this module you learned about the health and safety hazards workers may be exposed to at work. You learned about the types of health hazards (ergonomic, chemical biological, and physical) and their effects on the body. And you learned about the factors (people, equipment, material, environment, and process) that contribute to safety hazards. You learned important terms such as occupational illness, occupational injury, chronic, acute, latency, and synergy.
1000As committee members you can use what you have learned to recognize health and safety hazards and understand how they can affect the body in order to make recommendations for protecting workers. 
1001We’ll review what you have learned with a short quiz.
1002
1003JHSCCBC_M5_S1
1004Module 5:  Hazard Identification and Control
1005
1006JHSCCBC_M5_S2
1007As you know from earlier modules, everyone has a responsibility to identify workplace hazards.
1008In order to fulfill your responsibilities as a health and safety committee member you need to be able to recognize the hazards in your workplace. You also need to be able to participate in developing methods for controlling the hazards you find. 
1009In this module we will discuss some of the common health and safety hazards. You will learn how to identify, assess, and control hazards and how to conduct a job hazard analysis.
1010Work injuries, illnesses, and fatalities are preventable. This module will give you tools you can use to help keep workers safe and healthy. 
1011
1012JHSCCBC_M5_S3
1013Damage to property can be just as harmful to the bottom line as an incident that causes injury, illness, or death. Losses due to workplace hazards can be prevented if everyone works together to recognize and control the hazards.
1014
1015JHSCCBC_M5_S4
1016There are 4 main parts to the hazard identification process: recognize, assess, control and evaluate.  We’ll discuss each part in this module.
1017
1018JHSCCBC_M5_S5
1019We’ve been talking about hazards in this course; now let’s define the term.
1020A hazard is any practice, behaviour, substandard act or condition that can cause:
1021Injury;
1022Illness;
1023Damage to property or the environment; or
1024Loss to work process.
1025Hazards can occur at any time in any work environment; not all of them result in injury.
1026
1027JHSCCBC_M5_S6
1028While an important function of the health and safety committee is to identify situations that may be hazardous to workers, the committee is not solely responsible for hazard recognition.
1029As you have already learned, a strong internal responsibility system or IRS requires that the responsibility for identifying and addressing workplace hazards be shared between all workplace parties.
1030This process should be formalized in order to effectively manage health and safety.
1031
1032JHSCCBC_M5_S7
1033If no formal process exists, workers are less likely to understand their responsibility to report hazards. 
1034A formal process establishes responsibility and ownership for hazards and requires interaction between the workers and management in order to focus on a solution. 
1035It includes systems for identifying, reporting, and controlling hazards and evaluating the effectiveness of control measures. 
1036 
1037
1038JHSCCBC_M5_S8
1039Let’s review what you know about the responsibility to identify and report hazards with a quick quiz.
1040True or False.
1041Health and safety committees are solely responsible for recognizing hazards at the workplace.
1042That’s false. Recognizing hazards is a shared responsibility.
1043True or False
1044A strong IRS requires that all workplace parties share the responsibility identifying and controlling hazards.
1045That’s true. 
1046
1047JHSCCBC_M5_S9
1048Now we are going to talk about how to identify hazards, a process called hazard recognition or hazard identification.
1049As you learned in module 4, hazards fall into two categories, health hazards and safety hazards.  
1050Mold, toxic gases, and noise are just three of the many health hazards that occur in workplaces.  
1051Unguarded machines, broken ladders, and slippery floors are three common safety hazards.
1052
1053JHSCCBC_M5_S10
1054
1055There are many ways to identify hazards. 
1056 
1057Workers are an important resource because they know the most about the work they do. It’s important for committee members to ask questions and listen to workers’ ideas and concerns.
1058Workplace inspections are excellent opportunities to see hazards directly. You will learn about how to conduct inspections later in this course.
1059 
1060Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS are excellent sources of information. They provide information on the hazards of chemicals and how to protect workers from overexposure. By the way, MSDS are part of the Workplace Health Management Information System, or WHMIS, which requires MSDS and labels for all controlled substances.
1061 
1062 
1063Internal records such as first aid reports, committee minutes, safe work procedures, safety manuals, and equipment and maintenance records can provide valuable information about the hazards in your workplace.
1064You might see hazards any time you are in the workplace, even on your way to a coffee break!
1065
1066JHSCCBC_M5_S11
1067Committee members can also identify health and safety hazards by comparing conditions in the workplace to recognized codes, standards, and regulations. Building and fire codes, for example, can help you recognize hazards in your workplace. 
1068 
1069
1070JHSCCBC_M5_S12
1071Here’s a question for you to review what you have learned so far about hazard recognition.
1072How can a health and safety committee help recognize hazards? All of these are good answers. Talking and listening to workers, conducting monthly inspections, reviewing first aid reports, and comparing conditions to codes and standards are valuable ways to recognize hazards. 
1073
1074JHSCCBC_M5_S13
1075All hazards have the potential to pose a risk of an accident or incident which could lead to injury or illness, but some pose more risk than others.
1076All hazards need to be assessed for the degree of risk they pose.  This means evaluating each hazard based on the probability or the likelihood of the consequence occurring, the degree of the consequence should it occur, and how frequent the worker is exposed to the hazard.
1077 
1078JHSCCBC_M5_S14
1079Assessing a hazard may require exposure monitoring. Exposure monitoring is a way to determine if workers are overexposed to harmful agents that can cause illness. 
1080
1081JHSCCBC_M5_S15
1082Chemical and biological hazards can be assessed through air sampling. Air sampling involves collecting a small amount of air from the workplace and having it analyzed to determine if it contains airborne contaminants, and if it does, how much. 
1083Certain samples can be analyzed directly while others must be sent away to a laboratory for analysis.
1084
1085JHSCCBC_M5_S16
1086While we can detect certain hazards though sight, smell, sound, and touch, the human senses cannot detect all hazardous substances and physical hazards that may occur in the workplace. 
1087Noise, temperature, vibration, radiation, force and lighting can all be assessed through the use of dosimeters, wet bulb globe thermometers and other tools used by industrial hygienists or ergonomists.
1088 
1089JHSCCBC_M5_S17
1090The term exposure means contact with a substance. In terms of workplace hazards, exposure refers to coming in contact with a hazardous agent for a period of time.  
1091Some harmful agents may cause adverse health effects in a short period of time, while others take prolonged exposure to cause harm.  The higher the exposure, the greater potential there is to cause harm to an exposed worker.
1092 
1093JHSCCBC_M5_S18
1094Air monitoring samples and test results must be compared to standards to determine if the exposure is within acceptable limits. Sampling results are usually compared to exposure values set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, or ACGIH.  ACGIH is a professional society that sets standards; it is not a government agency. 
1095Some jurisdictions use other exposure values instead of or in addition to ACGIH values.
1096
1097JHSCCBC_M5_S19
1098 ACGIH uses several different exposure values.
1099“TWA” or “time weighted average limit” means the time weighted average airborne concentration of a biological or chemical agent to which a worker may be exposed in a work day or work week.
1100A time-weighted average is used to calculate a worker’s exposure to a hazardous substance to determine if the exposure is within acceptable limits.
1101
1102JHSCCBC_M5_S20
1103“STEL” or “short-term exposure limit” means the maximum airborne concentration of a biological or chemical agent to which a worker may be exposed in any 15 minute period.
1104
1105JHSCCBC_M5_S21
1106“C” or “ceiling limit” means the maximum airborne concentration of a biological or chemical agent to which a worker may be exposed at any time.
1107
1108JHSCCBC_M5_S22
1109“Controlled product” is the name given to any product, material, and substance regulated by WHMIS legislation. All controlled products fall into one or more of six WHMIS classes.
1110Every employer is required to keep a list of regularly used products that may be a hazard to workers. Any product with a hazard warning could be a controlled product. Check products for WHMIS labels; if the product arrives with a WHMIS label, it is a controlled product.
1111As health and safety committee members you should know about any controlled products at your workplace, as well as possible worker exposure to these products.  The committee should make sure safety procedures prescribed by WHMIS are followed for any controlled products and that there are MSDS on hand for every controlled product.
1112
1113JHSCCBC_M5_S23
1114To determine the level of workers’ exposure to noise, exposure assessments or sound level measurements should be conducted for workers in noisy areas or near noisy equipment.
1115Two different instruments are used to measure sound: the sound level meter and the dosimeter.
1116The sound level meter is used first to identify where the noise is coming from and which workers should wear the dosimeter.  
1117The dosimeter is then used to determine the individual worker’s exposure to noise.
1118Noise exposure surveys should be conducted in accordance with the standards of the Canadian Standards Association, or CSA.
1119
1120JHSCCBC_M5_S24
1121Employers must establish programs to control exposure to temperature extremes where workers must work in very hot or cold environments or processes. The committee should make sure such programs are in place where needed.
1122
1123JHSCCBC_M5_S25
1124The purpose of rating hazards is to help prioritize them, to make sure the hazards with the most potential for loss are controlled first. 
1125A number of different methods can be used to rate hazards.
1126A simple way is to look at how often workers are exposed, how many workers are exposed, the duration of the exposure, and the degree of exposure.
1127
1128JHSCCBC_M5_S26
1129Based on the ratings, hazards can be divided into three different categories to help prioritize them.
1130Class A hazards could result in death or permanent disability, or expensive loss of property. Class A hazards should be the first priority.
1131 Class B hazards could cause serious injury or illness that result in temporary disability or property damage, but not as severe as class “A” hazards.
1132Class C Hazards contribute to minor, non-disabling injury or illness or property damage that is non-disruptive.
1133
1134JHSCCBC_M5_S27
1135Let’s review the section on hazard assessment with a 2-question quiz.
1136What is the term for the maximum allowable worker exposure to airborne contaminants over an 8-hour day? [Pause] The correct answer is number 2, TWA, or time-weighted average.
1137What is the term for the maximum allowable worker exposure to airborne contaminants at any time? [Pause] The correct answer is number 3, Ceiling or “C”
1138
1139JHSCCBC_M5_S28
1140Once hazards have been identified and assessed, the committee and management must work within the framework of the internal responsibility system to determine the appropriate controls to eliminate or minimize the hazard. 
1141Immediate temporary controls should be put in place until permanent hazard controls can be established.
1142Recommendations for permanent controls should be documented in the committee’s meeting minutes or inspection reports or through a formal written recommendation form.  
1143 
1144JHSCCBC_M5_S29
1145Health and safety hazards can be controlled at the source, along the path, or directly at the worker.  
1146The source is the hazard itself or the location where it originates.  The first goal is to eliminate the hazard from the work process completely, that is, to control it at the source.   
1147If that’s not possible, or there is some residual risk to the worker, look at controls along the path, which are in between the hazard and the worker.
1148As a last resort, controls are implemented at the worker.  Worker controls (usually personal protective equipment) are used only when the hazard cannot be eliminated or blocked at the source or along the path.
1149
1150JHSCCBC_M5_S30
1151Worker controls are considered the last resort for controlling hazards; Personal protective equipment has a potential to fail and not protect the worker. 
1152Gloves can rip or tear, respirators can be put on wrong, and zippers on protective clothing can break -- allowing harmful agents to contact the skin or be inhaled.
1153In addition, a worker may not use the PPE or not use it properly.
1154
1155JHSCCBC_M5_S31
1156Regardless of the type of control recommended, keep in mind that sometimes controls look great on paper but don’t always work out as intended.  Also, controls may create new hazards. That’s why  it’s important for the committee to follow up and evaluate controls after they have been implemented.
1157
1158JHSCCBC_M5_S32
1159Controls can be grouped into 3 categories in a hierarchy of controls from most to least effective: Engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.
1160
1161JHSCCBC_M5_S33
1162Engineering controls should always be considered prior to any other control methods in the hierarchy of controls because they control hazards at the source.  They are the most effective so long as they are properly maintained and used appropriately.
1163Engineering controls do not involve the worker; if designed properly they prevent the worker from being directly exposed to the hazard. Hazards can be retrofitted or engineered out of a system during the design process. 
1164
1165JHSCCBC_M5_S34
1166Eliminating a hazardous substance from the workplace is an engineering control.  
1167Another engineering control involves substituting a pelletized form of raw material, which could be less hazardous than a powder form of the material. 
1168Isolation is a form of engineering control that separates the worker from the hazard. Isolating a chemical process in order to prevent any by-products from being released in the work area is an example.
1169
1170JHSCCBC_M5_S35
1171Ventilation is another engineering control. Ventilation involves the movement of air between the inside and outside of a building as well as the circulation of air within a building. Ventilation can either add clean air to the work space or remove contaminated air.
1172For example, during heavy sanding, a down draft table removes unwanted particulates from the air, reducing the worker’s exposure right there at the source.  A well-ventilated office building has a system for exchanging indoor air for fresh outdoor air.
1173
1174JHSCCBC_M5_S36
1175Administrative controls are designed to reduce the risk to the worker through the development and implementation of procedures, standards and rules. They control hazards between the source and the worker; they do not eliminate the hazards.
1176Administrative controls typically apply to many different hazards and often supplement engineering controls.  
1177 Administrative controls may include scheduling hazardous work on weekends or during shutdown periods; hiring third party cleaners to perform their duties in off hours or on weekends; and rotating workers to limit each worker’s exposure. The development and implementation of safety programs and procedures as well as safety training are administrative controls.
1178 
1179JHSCCBC_M5_S37
1180Personal hygiene practices are another good way to reduce the amount of hazardous material a worker may absorb through the skin or eyes, ingest, or inhale.  
1181Examples include keeping contaminated hands away from mucus membranes of the mouth, nose and eye; washing hands after handling chemicals and before eating, smoking or using the washroom; and storing and eating food in designated areas only.
1182
1183JHSCCBC_M5_S38
1184Personal protective equipment or PPE may include fall protection for someone working near an open unguarded edge, a respirator to provide clean air when working with harmful airborne particulates, or safety glasses when exposed to flying debris from grinding material on a bench or pedestal grinder.  Additional personal protective equipment may include safety boots, splash goggles or coveralls.  
1185PPE only reduces the exposure to the hazard; it does not eliminate -- or even reduce -- the hazard itself. 
1186
1187JHSCCBC_M5_S39
1188As we end the section on hazard controls, here’s a review question for you.
1189Where can hazards can be controlled? [Pause] Number 1 is the right answer. Hazards can be controlled at the source, path, or worker.
1190
1191JHSCCBC_M5_S40
1192Job hazard analysis, or JHA, is a valuable tool for identifying hazards and making recommendations for controlling them. 
1193A job hazard analysis is a technique used in conjunction with workplace inspections to identify, evaluate and control health and safety hazards linked to a particular job or task within a job.
1194Job hazard analysis breaks  a job down into basic components, allowing hazards to be identified and thoroughly analyzed at each stage.
1195
1196JHSCCBC_M5_S41
1197 When conducting a JHA, it is important to involve key players, including:
1198Workers who perform the task;
1199Supervisors;
1200A worker committee member; and
1201Engineering and maintenance staff.
1202 
1203JHSCCBC_M5_S42
1204There are 4 main parts to the JHA: recognize, assess, control and evaluate. We talked about these four steps earlier in this module; now we’ll apply them in the JHA.
1205  This hazard management tool – or a similar form -- can be used for job hazard analysis. 
1206
1207JHSCCBC_M5_S43	
1208 Let’s start with Column A, which asks “What hazards could cause harm?”  Identify the hazards associated with the task that is the subject of the JHA. Think PEMEP: people, equipment, materials, environment, process; and don’t forget to recognize both health hazards and safety hazards. An example of a hazard might be a car falling off a hoist.
1209
1210JHSCCBC_M5_S44
1211Column B  asks “Who can be harmed?” This column calls for a list of individuals who may be harmed by the hazard. For example, hoist technicians working under the hoist with the falling car could be harmed.
1212 
1213
1214JHSCCBC_M5_S45
1215Column C asks “How can they be harmed?” It is asking for the type of injury or possible illness which the person in column B might experience.  For example, a technician working under the hoist could be crushed.
1216
1217JHSCCBC_M5_S46
1218The second part of the form, columns D through F, requires you to rate the hazard for loss potential based on likelihood and severity.  This section of the form allows you to prioritize the hazards.
1219 
1220JHSCCBC_M5_S47
1221The 3rd part of this form, columns G and H are reserved for controls.  
1222Although it is not the responsibility of the joint health and safety committee to implement the controls, the committee does play a vital role in making recommendations.  
1223The committee should make sure each control it recommends is adequate, specific, and practical.
1224
1225JHSCCBC_M5_S48
1226Columns I, J, and K are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the controls after they are put in place. Often overlooked, the step is essential because it’s the best way to know whether or not the controls are working as they should.  It’s important not to evaluate the controls too early, before it’s possible to tell if they are working or not.
1227
1228JHSCCBC_M5_S49
1229This module focuses on identifying and controlling hazards.  You learned about a four-step process: recognizing health and safety hazards, assessing the likelihood and severity of the loss, controlling hazards, and evaluating the effectiveness of controls. You learned several methods of recognizing hazards, such as workplace inspections, records review, and talking to workers. You also learned about the hierarchy of controls, which ranks control measures from the most effective (engineering controls) to the least effective (personal protective equipment).
1230We’ll review what you have learned with a short quiz.
1231
1232JHSCCBC_M6_S1
1233Module 6: Workplace Inspections
1234
1235JHSCCBC_M6_S2
1236In this module we will discuss the basics of performing workplace inspections, including pre-inspection activities and the inspection itself. We will also discuss the importance of post-inspection activities to make sure hazards are effectively controlled. 
1237By understanding the inspection process, health and safety committee members will be better able to contribute to the process and make useful recommendations for improving workplace conditions. 
1238
1239JHSCCBC_M6_S3
1240Inspections are a valuable tool for preventing incidents before they happen because they involve a thorough search for potential hazards.
1241Workplace inspections are a proactive function of the internal responsibility system; their purpose is not to point a finger at anyone or place blame for hazards that are found.  Rather, their purpose is to identify situations that could cause harm and correct them before before anyone gets hurt.
1242
1243JHSCCBC_M6_S4
1244Why don’t workers report hazards in their areas?
1245They may not be aware of them due to familiarity with their surroundings and work practices. They may be complacent or lack awareness or training on hazards recognition. 
1246They may have a poor work attitude, or they don’t think the hazard is serious.
1247
1248JHSCCBC_M6_S5
1249An inspection is a planned walkthrough of a workplace.
1250The goal is to recognize any hazards that can cause injury, illness, or loss to process, property or the environment so they can be assessed and controlled. 
1251
1252JHSCCBC_M6_S6
1253Not all inspections are the same. There are four types of inspections: ongoing, pre-operation, periodic, and monthly inspections. 
1254
1255JHSCCBC_M6_S7
1256Ongoing inspections may be done daily or at other intervals, depending on the equipment and conditions. Ongoing inspections are part of the job for supervisors and workers, who are responsible for making sure their workspaces remain free of hazards.
1257 
1258JHSCCBC_M6_S8
1259Pre-operation inspections happen before any new or modified equipment or process is used. These inspections are necessary to make sure the equipment or process is in safe working order before they are put into operation.
1260
1261JHSCCBC_M6_S9
1262Periodic inspections are regular, planned inspections of equipment or systems that have a high potential for causing serious injuries and illnesses if they do not work properly. This includes elevators, pressure vessels and boilers, for example, as well as important safety devices like fire extinguishers. 
1263
1264JHSCCBC_M6_S10
1265Monthly inspections are similar to periodic inspections in that they look at the critical components of equipment and systems, but they’re done on a monthly basis, often by a worker member of the joint health and safety committee. 
1266
1267JHSCCBC_M6_S11
1268What would you look for in a factory?  [pause 3 seconds]
1269You might note what workers are doing, being careful never to place blame.
1270You could inspect equipment to make sure it is in safe working order.
1271Your inspection should cover the work environment, looking at cleanliness, ventilation, temperature, and other factors.
1272You could inspect materials to make sure they are safe and don’t have the potential to cause harm.
1273
1274JHSCCBC_M6_S12	
1275Workplace inspections are a proactive way to prevent injuries, illnesses and property damage; they’re a way to identify potential problems before they become actual problems.
1276An inspection tells you what needs to be fixed so on-the-job incidents can be avoided. This benefits employees by protecting their health and safety and also benefits employers by preventing property damage and other losses associated with incidents.
1277In addition, an effective inspection program will improve worker communication and company morale. Overall, inspections can save the employer money and make the company a better place to work. 
1278
1279JHSCCBC_M6_S13
1280As you have just learned, some inspections are performed daily, some before each shift, some monthly, and others at various intervals.
1281 So how does a company know when they should do an inspection? Let’s look at indicators that help employers know when to conduct inspections.
1282
1283JHSCCBC_M6_S14
1284First of all, companies must perform inspections as often as dictated by local and provincial laws. In module 2 you learned about any laws in your jurisdiction that govern inspections and the role of health and safety committees in relation to inspections.
1285
1286JHSCCBC_M6_S15
1287Past incident records can provide valuable information about equipment and processes that have caused problems. If any patterns or trends are identified those processes and equipment may require more frequent inspections. 
1288
1289JHSCCBC_M6_S16
1290The number and size of different work operations are other factors to consider. 
1291Inspecting large operations every day may not be practical.  The company must determine a more suitable inspection schedule that addresses all health and safety concerns. 
1292 
1293JHSCCBC_M6_S17
1294You also have to consider the hazards. Equipment and work processes that are very hazardous or potentially hazardous may need more regular inspections than others, along with high-hazard or high-risk areas. 
1295
1296JHSCCBC_M6_S18
1297The number of shifts can be an indicator as well, since the activity of every shift may vary. Equipment and processes that are used often may need to be inspected more frequently. 
1298
1299JHSCCBC_M6_S19
1300Finally, any new processes and machinery should be inspected before they are used for the first time. 
1301
1302JHSCCBC_M6_S20
1303Which factors should affect when to conduct an inspection? 
13041.	Weather reports
13052.	Past incident reports
13063.	Size of workplace
13074.	Time of day
13085.	New equipment
1309[Pause]. Numbers 2, 3, and 5 are correct answers. Past incident reports, the size of the workplace, and the presence of new equipment affect decisions about when to inspect workplaces.
1310
1311JHSCCBC_M6_S21
1312Some things need to be done before an inspection can begin.  These tasks make up the pre-inspection activity. 
1313The first step is to plan the inspection route. 
1314 
1315It’s important to have a clear idea of what and where you need to inspect before beginning the inspection. 
1316
1317JHSCCBC_M6_S22
1318Step #2: Delegate Team Members.
1319It’s important for people with knowledge of the work, including workers and supervisors, to be part the inspection team.  Each person needs know what he or she is responsible for during the inspection. 
1320
1321JHSCCBC_M6_S23
1322401C
1323Step #3: Obtain Inspection Supplies.
1324Make sure that each team member has the appropriate supplies he or she will need to complete the inspection. In addition to personal protective equipment, inspection supplies typically include clipboard with checklist, notepad, pens, camera, tape measure, and inspection reports.
1325
1326JHSCCBC_M6_S24	
1327401C
1328Step #4: Familiarize Yourself With the Checklist
1329Everyone participating in the inspection should be familiar with the inspection checklist before they begin the inspection so they don’t miss anything. You don’t want to have to go back and re-inspect something after the fact because you’ve missed an item on your inspection checklist.
1330You will learn about creating checklists later in this module.
1331
1332JHSCCBC_M6_S25
1333401D
1334Step #5: Review the floor plan.
1335If you’re inspecting an area that is difficult or confusing to navigate, you and other team members should have a diagram or floor plan on hand. 
1336 Look it over before you start the inspection.
1337 
1338JHSCCBC_M6_S26
1339402
1340Step #6: Review Previous Inspection Reports
1341Look over previous inspection reports to see what hazards were found and what the results of the inspections were. 
1342If there is a piece of equipment or a process that is known to be hazardous, you’ll know to pay extra attention to it when doing your inspection. 
1343
1344JHSCCBC_M6_S27
1345Everyone on the inspection team needs to be aware of any recent health and safety issues to watch for. In step 7 you gather information from management about any new health and safety issues in the past month.
1346 You may be able to pinpoint hazards that were not an issue during previous inspections.
1347
1348JHSCCBC_M6_S28
1349Step #8: Meet with Supervisors in the Inspection Area Before You Begin 
1350If it’s possible to meet with supervisors in the inspection area before you begin, it’s a good idea do so. This lets you discuss any last-minute details or changes that may need to be noted.
1351
1352JHSCCBC_M6_S29
1353 Be sure to allow enough time to complete the inspection. 
1354 The inspection team should not feel rushed; rushing may lead to missing hazards team members would not otherwise have missed.
1355 
1356JHSCCBC_M6_S30
1357The purpose of an inspection is to identify potential and existing hazards, make recommendations for controls, and take immediate action where required for the protection of the workers.
1358Inspections also provide an opportunity to monitor hazard controls, such as personal protective equipment and policies and procedures, to ensure they are adequate and operational.
1359In addition, inspections open the lines of communication; giving workers and supervisors a chance to voice their concerns and learn from each other. 
1360
1361JHSCCBC_M6_S31
1362When an inspection is complete, inspectors take all the information they’ve gathered and analyze it. 
1363 From their analysis they can determine which potential hazards need to be high a priority for correction. 
1364 But inspectors also have to look beyond the surface to find the underlying, or root causes, of hazards. So, while a machine guard may need to be added, what do the company’s policies, programs, and procedures say about using machine guards? 
1365 The inspection could reveal that the policies, programs, and procedures need to be updated in order to address the root of the problem. 
1366
1367JHSCCBC_M6_S32
1368 Once you have completed the pre-inspection activities it’s time to conduct the actual inspection. Following are some tips to keep in mind as you complete the inspection process. 
1369
1370JHSCCBC_M6_S33
1371Tip #1. Wear the appropriate PPE
1372All team members must wear the appropriate PPE for the area they are inspecting. 
1373 
1374If the appropriate PPE isn’t available at that time, team members should not enter the area. Re-inspect the area when you have the right equipment to do so.
1375 
1376JHSCCBC_M6_S34
1377Tip #2. Remain Objective
1378 During the inspection you are simply making observations about hazards, not assuming you know who or what caused them.  Mark your observations down in an unbiased way, without letting other factors influence you.
1379
1380JHSCCBC_M6_S35
1381Tip #3: Be Thorough
1382It’s not enough to give an item a quick once-over.  Always be thorough in your inspections, looking up, down, and around the work area.
1383
1384JHSCCBC_M6_S36
1385Tip #4: Refer to Previous Inspection Reports
1386Remember those previous inspection reports you reviewed before beginning the inspection? Looking at them during your inspection may help you identify repeat items.
1387
1388JHSCCBC_M6_S37
1389Tip #5: Identify Substandard Actions and Practices
1390Look for situations where safe work practices are not being followed. Mark down any substandard actions and practices you see, but again, do not lay blame. 
1391For example, you could use a statement such as, “A worker was observed using a machine without a guard,” but not, “Joe Smith was observed using a machine without a guard.” 
1392What do you think is substandard in this video? [pause 2 seconds] At the very least the worker should be wearing personal protective equipment.
1393
1394JHSCCBC_M6_S38
1395What did the inspector in this video do wrong?
1396[Pause 5 seconds]
1397The inspector did not wear his personal protective equipment.
1398
1399JHSCCBC_M6_S39
1400Tip #6: Clearly Describe Each Hazard and Its Exact Location 
1401The person reading your report may not have been there for the inspection, and you won’t remember every detail after the inspection is finished. That’s why you need to be very clear in describing each hazard and its exact location.  Sometimes it helps to take a picture or draw a sketch.
1402
1403JHSCCBC_M6_S40
1404Step #7: Draw Attention to Any Immediate Danger and take appropriate action
1405 
1406Any hazardous items that pose immediate danger need to be addressed before the inspection continues.  Other items can wait to be mentioned in the final report.
1407
1408JHSCCBC_M6_S41
1409Tip #8: Ask Operators to Demonstrate
1410Inspectors should not operate equipment during the inspection.  Instead, ask an operator to demonstrate. He or she will most likely be aware of the dangers associated with the machinery. It is also important not to touch products or tools without permission from the owners. There may be unknown hazards for safety or product quality that you are unaware of.
1411
1412JHSCCBC_M6_S42
1413Tip #9: Ask Questions, But Do Not Disrupt Work Activities Unnecessarily
1414 It’s okay to ask operators questions, but if you interrupt them while they are doing their job you may miss the chance to observe their usual procedures. Interrupting operators could also put them at risk.
1415
1416JHSCCBC_M6_S43
1417Tip #10: Observe Static and Dynamic Conditions
1418Observe both the static, or stopped, and dynamic, or moving, conditions for each item you are inspecting.  If a piece of equipment is shut down, you may wish to postpone the inspection until it is running again, so you can see it in both states.
1419
1420JHSCCBC_M6_S44
1421Tip #11: Look for What’s New 
1422While doing your inspection pay close attention to new additions to the workplace: new equipment, new workers, new processes, or new products. 
1423
1424JHSCCBC_M6_S45
1425Here’s a question to review what you have learned about conducting inspections. 
1426During an inspection a health and safety committee member notices a broken chair leaning against a wall. Which of the following should the inspector do? [Pause] The inspector should remove the chair from the work area (or make sure someone else does it) so no one gets hurt.
1427
1428JHSCCBC_M6_S46
1429When inspecting a workplace, it is important to use a thorough, customized checklist to guide you toward standard inspection items for your workplace.  
1430The checklist for every workplace is different. By looking at conditions common to most workplaces, the next part of this module will help you develop your own checklists.
1431
1432JHSCCBC_M6_S47
1433When conducting an inspection it is important to look up, down, and from side to side.  Make sure all floors, aisles, and work surfaces are clear of slip, trip and fall hazards.
1434Any openings in floors, roofs, and walls need to be covered or barricaded to prevent falls.
1435Plus, spills should be cleaned up immediately; wet floor signs should be available and used when necessary.
1436
1437JHSCCBC_M6_S48
1438Electrical hazards can lead to electric shock, electrocution, and fires.
1439Make certain all electrical cords and receptacles are in good condition. 
1440An extension cord is not meant to be used as a permanent power supply. It must be replaced if missing the ground prong, if wires are exposed, or if the sheathing is frayed.
1441Electrical panels should be clearly identified and not be blocked. Electrical rooms should never be used as storage rooms for combustibles or flammables.
1442
1443JHSCCBC_M6_S49
1444Many workplaces have stairs, but not all stairs are built to meet the building code.  Open sides should be protected by secured railings and steps should all be of uniform height and depth.
1445Stairways require enough lighting at the top and the bottom and should always be kept free of obstructions.
1446
1447JHSCCBC_M6_S50
1448Can you find the substandard actions, practices, or conditions in this image?
1449[Pause 3 seconds]
1450Here are some of the hazards you might have noticed in this photo.
1451Cords create a tripping hazard.
1452The spilled drink creates a slipping hazard.
1453Using the stairs for storage creates fall hazard. 
1454
1455JHSCCBC_M6_S51
1456Adequate lighting can prevent slips, trips, and falls and reduce eye strain and headaches.   
1457Ample lighting in secluded areas can even be considered added security in the prevention of workplace violence.
1458All lighting fixtures should be maintained; light levels need to be sufficient for the work being done.
1459
1460JHSCCBC_M6_S52
1461Fire extinguishers and hoses, emergency exits, emergency lighting, and fire alarms are all used when unexpected.  During your inspection make sure emergency equipment and supplies are available and that workers know where to find them and how to use them.
1462 
1463JHSCCBC_M6_S53
1464It’s hard to think of a workplace that does not have some type of hazardous chemical or other material. As we discussed in the last module, WHMIS identifies controlled products that must be labeled and that require a material safety data sheet. In your inspection you can check to see that all requirements of WHMIS are being met, including worker training. 
1465 
1466
1467JHSCCBC_M6_S54
1468Can you find the substandard actions, practices, or conditions in this picture?
1469[Pause 3 seconds]
1470We know for sure that some of the containers are not labeled.  It’s likely there are some chemical storage problems as well. 
1471
1472JHSCCBC_M6_S55
1473Where PPE is required it must be the right kind, and must be used, maintained, and stored properly. 
1474
1475JHSCCBC_M6_S56
1476As you learned in the module on hazard identification and control, it’s not possible to detect all hazards with our five senses.  Exposure monitoring may be needed to find out if the workplace contains health hazards that put workers at risk for occupational illness. 
1477Certain types of sampling give immediate results, while others require analysis at a laboratory.
1478
1479JHSCCBC_M6_S57
1480Personal hygiene is an effective way to prevent and control workers’ exposures to hazardous biological and chemical agents.  Adequate sanitary facilities include washrooms with soap and water. Depending on the work being done, emergency eyewash stations, deluge showers, and sanitizing stations may also be needed.
1481
1482JHSCCBC_M6_S58
1483A health and safety policy spells out the employer’s commitment to health and safety, as well as the health and safety responsibilities of all parties. A health and safety program details how the policy will be implemented in the workplace; it includes specific procedures and programs based on the workplace and the type of work being done. 
1484Requirements for policies and programs vary according to the regulations of the jurisdiction. 
1485
1486JHSCCBC_M6_S59
1487As you learned earlier in this course, ergonomics looks at the relationship between the worker, the work, and the equipment. You can identify ergonomic hazards by watching workers do their jobs and talking to them about their concerns while looking for ergonomic risk factors (repetition, force, posture, stress, environment, and vibration).
1488
1489JHSCCBC_M6_S60
1490 Industrial kitchens, full serve cafeterias, and meat processing plants host a variety of health and safety hazards.
1491Just like industrial manufacturing equipment, all appliances and food preparation equipment must be properly guarded, cleaned, and maintained. Walking and working surfaces must be kept clean, dry, and clear.
1492 
1493 
1494
1495JHSCCBC_M6_S61
1496 Pallet racking and forklift traffic combine to create dangerous work environments in warehouses.  
1497Racking, boxes, and pallets must be secured.  Racks must not have bent or missing components and have weight capacities clearly marked.
1498Look at housekeeping and traffic control measures.
1499 
1500JHSCCBC_M6_S62
1501 Parking lots should be inspected at various times throughout the day to make sure the pedestrians are visible.
1502Slip, trip, and fall hazards, such as potholes, cracks, bumps, ice and snow should be addressed.
1503 
1504JHSCCBC_M6_S63
1505 Offices are not free from hazards.  
1506Filing cabinet drawers should be kept closed when they’re not in use to make sure the cabinets don’t tip over and no one bumps into open drawers.
1507Cords and cables from office equipment and small appliances such as coffee makers and space heaters create trip and fire hazards. 
1508 
1509JHSCCBC_M6_S64
1510You are an inspector walking through this parking lot at a workplace. What hazards can you observe?
1511[Pause 7 seconds]
1512You probably noticed that the parking lot has cracks that may cause pedestrians to trip. Also, the parking lot 
1513  does not have a crosswalk for pedestrians. 
1514
1515JHSCCBC_M6_S65
1516Construction sites house countless hazards in an environment that is constantly changing.  Proper warning and notice signs must be posted and emergency supplies kept on site. Good housekeeping goes a long way to keeping a construction site safe.
1517Hand tools, power tools, scaffolds, cranes and similar equipment must be inspected regularly, maintained in good condition, and operated only by authorized personnel.
1518All excavations, shoring and confined space entries must follow safety regulations.
1519Additionally, materials being moved and stored must not endanger a worker.
1520 
1521JHSCCBC_M6_S66
1522Here are a few questions to include in an inspection checklist for a construction site:
1523 Is there a first aid kit onsite?
1524Are hand and power tools in good condition and used for the right purpose and in the right way?
1525Do excavation and shoring follow safety requirements?
1526
1527JHSCCBC_M6_S67
1528 A construction checklist might also ask if cranes and other equipment are inspected regularly. Are materials handled safely? Is the site 
1529 neat and free of housekeeping hazards?
1530
1531JHSCCBC_M6_S68
1532Let’s review what goes into a general inspection checklist.
1533Check items to look for as part of a standard workplace inspection.
1534[Pause]
1535Inspectors should look for overloaded circuits, safety data sheets, and trip hazards.  Water fountains and time clocks are not part of standard inspection.
1536
1537JHSCCBC_M6_S69
1538You’ve finished your inspection—now what? 
1539You have to communicate your findings to those who have the authority to address and correct the issues you have identified.
1540
1541JHSCCBC_M6_S70
1542Immediately after you finish your inspection let the department supervisor know of any non-compliance issues you found. 
1543Inform the supervisor of each hazard you identified in a concise, factual way, so he or she can easily understand what needs to be done and how to go about doing it. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that safety issues are fixed in a timely manner so employees can work safely.
1544 
1545JHSCCBC_M6_S71
1546If there are some items that can be corrected right away, the supervisor should do so. Once they’ve been corrected, you can note it on your report. 
1547For those items that might take a little longer to correct, make sure temporary measures are taken.  This might mean roping off the hazardous area, tagging out equipment, or posting warning signs to let workers know they should work with extra caution. 
1548
1549JHSCCBC_M6_S72
1550The inspection report is one of the final steps in the inspection process. It compiles all the information you collected so that supervisors and other members of the committee are made aware of your findings and can follow up to make sure corrective actions are taken. 
1551 The information you used to prepare for the inspection, including policies, procedures and past inspection reports, can be included in the report. 
1552
1553JHSCCBC_M6_S73
1554A checklist is a way to record findings and comments during the inspection and can be used to refer back to during your report writing.
1555The checklist is not the same as the report but should be included in the inspection documents. 
1556 
1557Additionally, the information used to prepare for the inspection including policies, procedures and past inspection reports can be used to complete your report 
1558
1559JHSCCBC_M6_S74
1560The first step in writing the inspection report is to transfer all deficiencies and items that need corrective action to the report. This involves taking all of your notes, diagrams and photos from the inspection and organizing them in a way that others can easily see the safety issues. 
1561Step 2 is to clearly identify each hazard and its location. Assess each hazard for loss potential, specify the corrective actions that need to be taken, and establish a date for when the actions need to be completed. 
1562In step 3 you give copies of your inspection report to those who have the authority to take corrective action. That includes department supervisors, senior managers, and anyone else who can see to it that the changes are made.
1563It’s good practice (and sometimes required by law) to post a copy of the report where so anyone who wants to can read it.
1564 
1565JHSCCBC_M6_S75
1566 Step 4. As corrective action is taken and controls are put in place, document the details in the report.  In this way the report becomes an ongoing working document and a useful tool for tracking and communicating with management and workers.
1567Step 5. As target dates for completion approach, follow up on recommendations for corrective action to ensure that the hazards you identified are fixed and the controls are long lasting. 
1568The 6th and final step is to add any ongoing or incomplete items to the meeting agenda so the health and safety committee can discuss them.
1569
1570JHSCCBC_M6_S76
1571We’ve completed the section on inspection reports. Here are true/false questions to review what you have learned about inspection reports.
1572The report should not include a timeframe for completing corrective actions. [Pause] That’s false; the report needs to include a timeframe for correcting hazards.
1573The report should describe each hazard and identify its location. [Pause] That’s true; the report needs to describe each hazard and its location.
1574The committee should follow up to make sure hazards are corrected. [Pause] That’s true. The committee needs to make sure hazards that have been identified are corrected. 
1575
1576JHSCCBC_M6_S77
1577In this module you learned about the different types of inspections. You also learned about three phases of the inspection process: pre-inspection activity, conducting the inspection, and post-inspection activity.
1578You learned that workplace inspections help identify hazards so they can be corrected before they cause injury, illness, or death. 
1579By participating in inspections, health and safety committee members learn about the tasks in their workplaces; they also have the opportunity to make recommendations for improving health and safety, thereby strengthening the internal responsibility system.
1580We’ll follow up with a short quiz.
1581
1582JHSCCBC_M7_S1
1583Module 7: Incident Investigations
1584
1585JHSCCBC_M7_S2
1586In this module, we will discuss incident trends and the associated costs. 
1587We will discuss the purpose of investigations and the role of health and safety committee members.
1588Finally we will discuss the steps involved in an investigation, from gathering and analyzing the facts through writing the report.
1589
1590JHSCCBC_M7_S3
1591An accident can be defined as a sudden, unplanned event that causes harm to a person or damage to property.
1592
1593JHSCCBC_M7_S4
1594An incident is defined as a sudden, unplanned event that could have resulted in an accident if circumstances had been slightly different. 
1595 For the purposes of this course, the term “incident” will cover events such as accidents, exposures, occurrences and near-misses. 
1596 
1597JHSCCBC_M7_S5
1598An investigation is a process that involves gathering information and drawing conclusions. 
1599
1600JHSCCBC_M7_S6
1601Surface causes are the hazardous conditions and unsafe behaviours that interact to cause an injury.
1602
1603JHSCCBC_M7_S7
1604A root cause is an underlying weakness in the safety system that leads to unsafe behaviours and hazardous conditions, which can result in an incident. 
1605
1606JHSCCBC_M7_S8
1607All incidents, whether they are near-misses or injury-related, should be investigated. By identifying and controlling hazards before they cause future injuries, investigations help make sure the incidents don’t happen again in the future. The goal is to find the root causes of an incident, not to lay blame.
1608
1609JHSCCBC_M7_S9
1610When an incident occurs, asking “why” it happened is not enough. 
1611Employers need to get to the bottom of each incident, not only to find out why it happened, but also to prevent it from happening again. 
1612
1613JHSCCBC_M7_S10
1614Incidents can happen in any workplace, at anytime. In Canada, approximately 250,000 lost-time injuries occur each year—and that doesn’t even include near-misses or incidents that did not result in lost work time.
1615Consider the impact workplace incidents can have: physical injury or illness to the victim and the emotional difficulties that can take a toll on both the worker and his or her loved ones.  Loss of income, potential long-term injuries, and even death can occur as a result of workplace incidents. Over 1,000 fatalities occur each year as a result of incidents that happen in the workplace. 
1616
1617JHSCCBC_M7_S11
1618From an employer’s perspective, workplace incidents can lead to unexpected lost time and financial costs. These might include:
1619Building, tool and equipment repair costs;
1620Interim equipment rental costs; 
1621Legal expenses;
1622Cost of hiring or training replacements;
1623Investigation time; and
1624Lost production.
1625Investigating incidents can help to reduce the effects felt by the injured worker and his or her family, as well as the time and financial burdens on the employer. 
1626
1627JHSCCBC_M7_S12
1628The purpose of an incident investigation is prevention.
1629Incident investigations get to the root causes of the incident, so similar occurrences can be prevented in the future. 
1630These investigations also fulfill certain legal obligations. You learned about the laws and regulations about incident investigations in Module 2.  
1631
1632JHSCCBC_M7_S13
1633Here’s a question for you. 
1634Which is the best definition of “accident”?
1635[Pause] The best definition of accident is number 1, Sudden, unplanned event that causes harm
1636
1637JHSCCBC_M7_S14
1638 
1639Incidents are unplanned and unexpected; that’s why it’s important to be prepared to respond in any circumstance. 
1640An investigation kit should be prepared in advance so it is ready to go. 
1641Some of items to include are a camera, tape measure, caution tape, pens, and paper. 
1642 Investigators may also need personal protective equipment to enter certain areas of the workplace.
1643
1644
1645JHSCCBC_M7_S15
1646The steps involved in a thorough investigation include:
1647 
16481.	Secure and manage the scene;
16492.	Gathering information about the incident;
16503.	Analyze the facts to determine the root cause;
16514.	Recommend corrective measures and solutions; and 
16525.	Write the report.
1653
1654JHSCCBC_M7_S16
1655  The first thing to do following an incident is to secure and manage the scene.
1656 Everyone should be cleared out of the area and any sources of imminent danger should be tended to without risking personal health or safety.
1657For example, you might use a fire extinguisher to control a small fire until help arrives.
1658 If someone has been injured on the job, paramedics should be called and basic First Aid should be performed in the meantime. Human safety is always the first priority in any incident.
1659The incident scene should be as undisturbed as possible, so a proper investigation can take place.
1660 That might mean using caution tape or barriers to block off the area, or doing what is necessary to ensure the scene is left as is. 
1661 An incident scene can only be disturbed under certain circumstances, which include:
1662 To save a life or relieve human suffering;
1663 To maintain an essential public utility service or a public transportation system; or
1664 To prevent unnecessary damage to equipment or other property.  
1665
1666JHSCCBC_M7_S17
1667Securing the scene includes preserving the wreckage, might mean using caution tape or barriers to block off the area, or doing anything else to ensure the scene is left as is. 
1668An incident scene should be disturbed only to:
1669Save a life or relieve human suffering;
1670 Maintain an essential public utility service or a public transportation system; or
1671 Prevent unnecessary damage to equipment or other property.
1672
1673JHSCCBC_M7_S18
1674Observation is one of the greatest tools after an incident has happened. Use sight, sound, touch, and smell when you make observations -- you never know what might help to fill in the pieces of the puzzle. 
1675You might observe:
1676Equipment, tools or materials that have been damaged in the incident or moved after it happened;
1677Vehicle tracks and skid marks;
1678Environmental conditions;
1679The activity happening around the scene;
1680 
1681Distances and positions that could be of value to the investigation; and
1682People who were on the scene shortly before and shortly after the incident occurred.
1683
1684JHSCCBC_M7_S19
1685Although people have been cleared out of harm’s way, a crowd is likely to gather nearby. The individual in charge of the scene should take the opportunity to talk to any witnesses who may have seen the incident occur.  
1686Identify who you want to speak to.  It may be another employee, a contractor, or a member of the public. Tell them you’d like to interview them to find out what happened, but be sure to let them know your intention is not to place blame. They may be in shock or upset, so it’s important to put them at ease and let them know the purpose of the interview before you question them. 
1687
1688JHSCCBC_M7_S20
1689When interviewing a witness, know what to ask.  Allow each witness to recall the events leading up to, during, and shortly after the incident. Ask questions to clarify their stories, avoiding questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no.” Ask open-ended questions—questions that usually begin with a how, when, why or where provide more detailed information.
1690Don’t make suggestions for your witnesses; instead, wait and let them provide you with the information. One witness may lead you to another person you’d like to interview, 
1691You may also wish to have witnesses provide their input when you’re collecting physical evidence. 
1692Know when to ask.  Speak to witnesses as soon as possible after the incident, when it’s still fresh in their minds. Ask a witness to repeat his or her story a second time and be sure to take notes.
1693Finally, know where to ask.  You’ll likely find witnesses close to the incident scene; talk to them in a safe location and possibly follow up at a later date.
1694 
1695JHSCCBC_M7_S21
1696Physical evidence can be anything that might help to prove what happened. Photographs and videos, sketches and measurements, and other documentation may all be considered physical evidence. 
1697
1698JHSCCBC_M7_S22
1699When taking photos of the accident scene it’s a good idea to start with distance shots and move in closer to get the details. 
1700Make notes about the photos you take, including the date, time, location, measurements, weather conditions, and the subject of the photo.
1701Take photos at different angles. 
1702Take panoramic photos—that is, top to bottom and side to side—to give a better view of the entire scene. 
1703
1704JHSCCBC_M7_S23
1705Videos are very helpful in investigations as well. Start videotaping as soon as you can, preferably while first responders are still attending to the victim. 
1706When videotaping, you should remember a few important points:
1707Stand back from a distance and zoom in to the location of the incident.
1708Videotape 360 degrees around the incident scene.
1709Describe what you are videotaping, including the objects you see, their size, and anything else that might be of note.
1710
1711JHSCCBC_M7_S24
1712Take a look at this scene. What do you think an investigator should measure or take note of?
1713[pause 3 seconds]
1714An investigator might note the lighting from the window, the condition of the floor, what the worker was doing, the location of the mop, the caution sign, and the footwear the worker was wearing. You never know what might be important to the investigation.
1715
1716JHSCCBC_M7_S25
1717Sketches and measurements help to indicate distances among the different elements of the incident scene. 
1718The following should be included in sketches:
1719The date, time, and location of the incident, as well as the identity of objects, victims, and any other information that might be useful;
1720 The location of the sketches or measurements; and 
1721Directions -- north, east, south and west; and
1722Record spatial relationships and measurements in relation to a permanent point such as a building or telephone pole.
1723Sketches should later be turned into precise diagrams, so they present a clearer picture of the scene. 
1724 
1725JHSCCBC_M7_S26
1726Looking over documentation can help you figure out what went wrong, but simply glancing at it isn’t enough. If you’re conducting an investigation, have questions in mind when you examine documents and look for specific answers.
1727
1728JHSCCBC_M7_S27
1729You might look at documentation such as:
1730Equipment manuals;
1731Policies and procedures;
1732Training records;
1733Work schedules;
1734Maintenance records; and
1735Safety committee meeting minutes.
1736
1737JHSCCBC_M7_S28
1738Here are some of the questions you can ask about documents when you review them for an incident investigation:
1739Is anything missing?
1740Is anything unclear?
1741What is the company’s policy for reading and reviewing the manual?
1742When did the injured employee last review the manual?
1743Are there any obvious changes that need to be made?
1744
1745JHSCCBC_M7_S29
1746You’ve collected the facts—now what do you do with them? Analyzing the facts will tell you not only what happened, but more importantly, how it happened. 
1747The factors that contribute to an incident will fall into one of five categories: people, equipment, materials, environment or process. 
1748We’ll go through examples of questions you can ask to categorize the contributing factors.
1749 
1750JHSCCBC_M7_S30
1751Here are some questions you can ask about the people involved in the incident.
1752Were the workers experienced in the work they were performing?
1753Were the workers properly trained?
1754Was adequate supervision provided? 
1755Were safety rules in place and enforced?
1756Were the workers physically capable of performing the work?
1757Were the workers under personal- or job-related stress?
1758
1759JHSCCBC_M7_S31
1760Here are questions to ask about any equipment involved in the incident:
1761Did the equipment fail?
1762Was it poorly designed?
1763Was it the right tool for the job?
1764Was PPE required for the work, and was it used?
1765
1766JHSCCBC_M7_S32	
1767You can ask questions like the following about materials:
1768Were any hazardous materials involved? If so, were they clearly identified?
1769Were the appropriate materials available and used?
1770
1771JHSCCBC_M7_S33
1772Questions such as these can help you determine if the environment contributed to the incident:
1773What were the weather conditions? Was it excessively hot or cold?
1774Was noise a problem?
1775Were there any toxic gases, smoke or fumes?
1776Was housekeeping adequate?
1777
1778
1779JHSCCBC_M7_S34
1780The following are questions to ask about the process:
1781Were safe work procedures established, followed, and enforced?
1782Were regular safety inspections carried out?
1783Were lockout procedures used?
1784Had any hazards been previously identified? If so, had they been fixed?
1785Was the equipment regularly maintained?
1786
1787JHSCCBC_M7_S35
1788Here’s an activity to re-enforce what you have learned about factors that contribute to incidents.
1789For each statement on the left choose the most likely contributing factor from the list on the right.
17901.	Worker tripped over electrical cords in office. [Pause] d. Environment contributed to the worker tripping over cords.
17912.	Worker injured using wrong tool. [Pause] a. People or b. Equipment could have contributed to this injury.
17923.	Worker injured when equipment that wasn’t maintained failed. [Pause] e. Process is involved when maintenance falls through.
1793
1794JHSCCBC_M7_S36
1795The next part of an investigation involves determining the sequence of events. You already know the incident was the final event, so if you’re the investigator, it’s up to you to piece together the events that led up to the incident and document what happened afterwards.
1796Here’s an example:
1797 
1798Employee #1 arrived at work at 7:30 a.m. and began unloading several boxes.
1799One of the boxes fell and knocked Employee #1 to the ground and crushed him.
1800Employee #2 witnessed the incident and called his supervisor over to help.
1801At approximately 7:55 a.m., an ambulance arrived and transported Employee #1 to the hospital.
1802
1803JHSCCBC_M7_S37
1804Various surface causes might contribute to an incident, but in order to make real changes so the same thing doesn’t happen in the future, we need to find the root cause. 
1805Methods for doing so have changed over the years as people have come to understand that they need to dig deeper, beyond the obvious causes. 
1806 
1807JHSCCBC_M7_S38
1808When it comes to determining the cause of the incident, there’s an “old way” and a “new way” of thinking.
1809 The old thinking assumes that incidents occur because of worker error. This way of thinking only results in placing blame and finding short-term fixes, which are not very effective in the long run.
1810The new thinking takes a systems approach, realizing that people are only a small part of a complex system. According to the systems approach, incidents are the result of many causes, or defects in the system. Using this approach, the investigator’s focus is on finding long-term solutions by fixing the system, not the worker.
1811 
1812JHSCCBC_M7_S39
1813Over time, safety professionals have come up with theories as to why incidents happen. At first, their theories were rather simplistic, but they came to realize workplace incidents aren’t always simple cause-and-effect events. 
1814 
1815JHSCCBC_M7_S40
1816The domino theory looks at an incident as a series of related occurrences that lead up to the final event. The investigator assumes that removing one of these occurrences—such as the sharp edge the employee cut his hand on—will break the chain and prevent future related incidents, but this doesn’t address the root cause or underlying system weaknesses.
1817
1818JHSCCBC_M7_S41
1819The multiple cause theory goes beyond the single event and domino theories. This theory says an incident is the result of a series of random related or unrelated events that have come together.
1820By looking at all the factors, you’ll be able to get to the root cause of the incident and make long-term fixes.
1821
1822JHSCCBC_M7_S42
1823Here’s a question to review what you have just learned about accident theories.
1824Which describes the position of the multiple event theory? [Pause] 3. A series of random events combine to cause the incident best describes the multiple event theory.
1825
1826JHSCCBC_M7_S43
1827Now, it’s time to put together all of the information you’ve collected to learn the causes of the incident.
1828Unless the root cause of an incident is discovered, the surface causes will continue to exist and leave open the potential for another incident to occur. 
1829There are two types of root causes you should know about:
1830Design root causes, which include poor planning and design of the safety system; and
1831Implementation root causes, which indicate the safety system hasn’t been carried out properly. 
1832 
1833JHSCCBC_M7_S44
1834When you conduct an investigation to find out why an incident occurred, you are reacting to something that has already happened—but you’re also being proactive, by making changes so that the incident does not happen again. 
1835So, how do you know what changes have to be made?
1836You’ve already identified the root cause, or causes, of the incident. Now, you can make recommendations to put the proper controls in place, which will reduce the chances of the incident repeating itself.
1837
1838JHSCCBC_M7_S45
1839As an incident investigator, there are various control strategies you can recommend, based on the hierarchy of controls. The most effective control methods are found at the top of the list, in the form of Engineering controls.
1840
1841JHSCCBC_M7_S46	
1842Engineering controls remove the hazard or place a barrier between the hazard and the worker. The result? No more hazard. And if there’s no hazard, there’s no chance of an incident occurring. 
1843 
1844Adding a proper machine guard is a type of engineering control, as is installing an adequate ventilation system in an area where chemicals are used. 
1845 
1846Engineering controls can be more expensive than other controls at first, but in the long run they usually cut down on operating costs—and provide the most protection.
1847
1848JHSCCBC_M7_S47
1849Unlike engineering controls, administrative controls don’t actually remove the hazard. Instead, they try to reduce exposure to hazards by changing the way workers do their jobs. 
1850This can be done by:
1851Improving work procedures and practices; or
1852Improving work schedules, by way of job rotation, more breaks, shift work and other schedule-related changes.
1853Because the hazard still exists, there’s still a chance for an incident to occur. That’s why administrative controls are helpful, but they’re not as effective as engineering controls. 
1854For administrative controls to work, they need to be carefully monitored and maintained by supervisors; they don’t do any good if they’re not followed properly.
1855Administrative controls are often used in combination with engineering controls. 
1856
1857JHSCCBC_M7_S48	
1858Here’s a safety problem for you to solve.
1859Joe has been working overtime on the night shift for three weeks straight. He skipped his breaks because his company was understaffed and he did not have anyone to cover for him. He fell asleep on the job and fell out of his chair onto the ground. 
1860Which administrative controls would you recommend for dealing with this situation? [Pause]
1861 The company might solve this problem by hiring more workers, scheduling more frequent job rotations, and making sure workers take their breaks. Firing Joe won’t solve the problem because without changes to how the work is done other workers will have the same problem.
1862
1863JHSCCBC_M7_S49
1864PPE is not meant to be a worker’s only line of defence against hazards. It’s often used in combination with engineering and administrative controls. 
1865PPE must be used safely and properly to be effective.  For instance, a hard hat doesn’t provide protection if it’s not on your head or if it’s the wrong hard hat for the job.
1866All it takes is a split second for an incident to occur, so employees must be diligent about using their PPE. Employers must make sure they enforce the use of PPE and keep up with their maintenance.
1867	
1868JHSCCBC_M7_S50
1869The hierarchy of controls can work to eliminate or reduce the chances of an incident occurring. However, an incident is a sign that something is missing in the safety system—something that needs to be fixed, in addition to putting other controls in place.
1870Improving the safety system could mean changing the safety inspection process to include all supervisors and workers or improving the hazard reporting system.
1871
1872JHSCCBC_M7_S51
1873Management must implement your recommendations for them to do any good.
1874If you’re an incident investigator, how can you improve the chances your recommendations will be approved by management? By anticipating the questions he or she might ask.
1875Here are three key questions you should know the answers to before presenting your recommendations:
1876What is the problem?
1877 Be specific. Pinpoint the hazardous conditions and unsafe work practices behind the problem.
1878What is the solution?
1879Explain the engineering, administrative and PPE controls that will solve the problem. Suggest system improvements that can help fix the problem in the long term. 
1880What are the benefits?
1881No one is going to want to make any changes if they don’t know the real benefits. List the initial costs of carrying out your suggestions and explain the long-term cost savings and other benefits.
1882
1883JHSCCBC_M7_S52
1884The time and effort spent conducting an investigation won’t accomplish much if the recommendations aren’t adopted. The key to making sure the recommendations are followed is to present them in a well thought-out and detailed report. 
1885Be sure to focus on the root causes as you put together your report, as those are what will produce the most effective results. 
1886
1887JHSCCBC_M7_S53
1888There are several standard sections to a detailed incident report.  The main sections include. 
1889Background information
1890Incident description
1891Findings
1892Recommendations
1893Summary
1894Follow-up and 
1895Attachments
1896
1897JHSCCBC_M7_S54
1898The background section of the report should include information about the incident, such as:
1899Who the victim is;
1900Who else was present;
1901The time, date and location of the incident; and
1902Any other details that set the scene.
1903
1904JHSCCBC_M7_S55
1905The incident description section should describe what happened before, during and immediately after the incident. Write it as a “word picture,” so anyone who wasn’t there can visualize it happening as though they were. 
1906This will look somewhat similar to the sequence of events you put together earlier.
1907
1908JHSCCBC_M7_S56
1909In the findings section of the report, explain all of the surface and root causes your investigation has revealed. 
1910Remember, you’re not out to place blame. What you want to do in this section is state the facts—the hazardous conditions, unsafe procedures, and other things that led to the incident occurring. 
1911For instance, a surface cause might be, “The operator had not been properly trained in the safety procedures for the machine he was using.”
1912Surface causes are conditions, behaviours, activities and practices that can usually be attributed to human error, but not necessarily from the injured employee. It’s not important to focus on who did what, but rather to note the errors and emphasize the root causes.
1913Those root causes, on the other hand, are often due to management mistakes like the failure to enforce plans or procedures within the safety management system. It’s the root causes that lead to surface causes, creating a dangerous situation.
1914A root cause might be, “Management did not ensure that employees had the appropriate safety training for the jobs they were performing.”
1915
1916JHSCCBC_M7_S57
1917Listen to the following scenario, looking for the root cause of this close call:
1918“While working outside it began to rain.  The workers were using power tools and were not using a ground-fault circuit interrupter.  They were just lucky that no one was electrocuted.”
1919What were possible root causes of this close call? 
1920[Pause]
1921Numbers 2 and 3 could be the root causes of this incident. This problem could have occurred if management didn’t provide the necessary equipment and/or if workers weren’t trained to do their jobs safely.  Having to work in the rain and power tools shorting out are surface causes, but they don’t get to the root of the problem
1922JHSCCBC_M7_S58
1923Once you understand the causes of the incident it’s time to make recommendations. Your recommendations should offer ways to get rid of or reduce both surface and root causes. They should also explain the benefits of implementation.
1924For example, here’s a recommendation for correcting a surface cause:
1925Recommendation: Repair faulty equipment controls. 
1926Benefit: This condition will no longer pose a hazard. 
1927Here’s an example of a recommendation for root cause improvement:
1928Recommendation: Review and improve the safety training plan so it includes refresher courses for equipment operators. 
1929Benefit: Ensures the safety training plan covers affected employee responsibilities regarding equipment operation. 
1930
1931JHSCCBC_M7_S59
1932The final part of the report is where you briefly review the surface and root causes of the incident and your recommendations.
1933It’s a good idea to emphasize the benefits of your recommendations; this may help management see them from a cost-benefit point of view. 
1934
1935JHSCCBC_M7_S60
1936As recommendations are carried out, follow up by adding a section to your report that describes the corrective actions that were taken. You should also include the names of those responsible for carrying out the corrective actions.
1937
1938JHSCCBC_M7_S61
1939At the end of your report, include the materials that helped with your investigation, including a description of each. Photos, videos, sketches, and interview notes are all items that should go in this section.
1940
1941JHSCCBC_M7_S62
1942You have now learned about the steps of the investigation process. Based on what you have learned, place the steps in the incident investigation process in the right order.
1943[Pause]
1944First you secure the scene, then you gather information. The next step is to analyze the facts you gathered and identify solutions. The final step is to write a report about your investigation. 
19451.	Analyze the facts 
19462.	Write report 
19473.	Gather information 
19484.	Identify solutions 
1949 
1950Looking over documentation can help to fill in the blanks of what might have gone wrong, but simply glancing at it isn’t enough. If you’re conducting an investigation, have questions in mind when you examine documentation and “interview” it for specific answers.
1951  
1952 
1953
1954JHSCCBC_M7_S63
1955An incident investigation is an effective way to find out why and how a particular incident happened and to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
1956
1957That’s why it’s so important to investigate near misses as well as accidents —think of them as warnings of more serious incidents to come if changes are not made. 
1958In this module you learned the definitions of incident investigation terms. You also learned about incident trends and costs, responsibilities for incident investigations, and the steps for conducting an investigation.
1959
1960JHSCCBC_Summary_1
1961Course Summary
1962
1963JHSCCBC_Summary_2
1964You have now completed all the modules of the training for health and safety committee members. In this course you learned about the internal responsibility system, about health and safety law, and about health and safety committees. You learned about health and safety hazards and how to identify and control them. You also learned how to conduct workplace inspections and incident investigations. 
1965
1966JHSCCBC_Summary_3
1967Congratulations on completing this course. We hope you will use what you learned to protect the health and safety of everyone at your workplace.