Understanding Workwell Workplace Health & Safety Audit Adapted from TMG Connections Forum March 1, 2007 Wanda McKenna, Manager Employee Work-Life Support Services And Steve Fletcher, Manager Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services

Defining Workwell… The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) directly links: Employer’s health and safety standards, and The organization accident performance. WSIB uses the Workwell audit to complete a comprehensive review of an organizations health and safety standards. Encouraging an effective internal responsibility system through financial incentives.

How Workwell works Workwell evaluator will visit McMaster to complete this comprehensive audit (expect 4 to 5 full days) Reviewing documentation Conducting random interviews Observing workplace practices Score is then granted If fail, then 6 months to correct and re-audit If fail this second time, then $$ fine (up to $500,000) will be levied Also consider the damage to McMaster’s reputation Expected Spring 2008

McMaster’s Health & Safety Record 2003 Calendar Year 2004 Calendar Year 2005 Calendar Year 2006 Calendar Year Incidents Healthcare Lost Time (# of days) days days days days Average lost days per LT incident 6 days/inc.8 days/inc.4.9 days/inc.15.1 days/inc. Organizations with a high frequency of incidents and severity rates are targeted for Workwell

Health and Safety Programming McMaster’s H&S, Healthy Workplace and Injury Prevention programming is very strong: 18 operating Joint Health & Safety Committees Comprehensive training program with 17 courses offered annually, attended by 2710 employees in 2006 Approx. 100 Healthy Workplace events in 2006 New H&S programming in 2006 and 2007: Slips, Trips & Falls; Chemical Handling; Laser Safety; Asbestos and Spills Training; Ergonomics; and, Violence in the Workplace EOHSS, FHS Safety Office and EWLSS working jointly to support health & safety

Workwell Audit Sections SectionPoints 1. Health and Safety Policy40 2. Health and Safety Responsibilities Posted Health and Safety Materials55 4. Health and Safety Standards and Procedures Health and Safety Representative / Committee50 6. Health and Safety Education / Training First Aid Requirements50 8. Health and Safety Inspections Preventative Maintenance Injury / Incident Investigations Senior Management Early and Safe Return to Work30 Total1005

Highlights-Element #2 Health and Safety Responsibilities All Managers, Supervisors, Workers, Supplied Labour and Contractors understand their H&S responsibilities and accountabilities; and it this is documented! Performance evaluations for Managers and Supervisors (including faculty and CAW) include H&S issues. Documentation!

Element #4 Health and Safety Standards & Procedures Requires Job Hazard Analysis for ALL jobs at McMaster Requires Standard Operating Procedures for every main activity rated as a Major Loss Potential Requires complete list of all Emergency Equipment and procedures

Element #7 First Aid Requirements First aid kits readily available for all employees Qualified first aider on every shift First Aid attendant in vicinity of first aid kit First Aid Room available on campus

Element #11 Senior Management Understands their H&S obligations Takes responsibility for inspections in their areas Responds to JHSC formal recommendations Promotes a healthy and safe culture

Element #6 Health and Safety Education / Training H&S Orientation & Training provided to:  New hires  Contract workers  Students  Employees receiving Promotion or Transfers Documentation!

Supervisors - Are you Prepared? Have you attended the Due Diligence training program? Do you provide your new staff with health & safety orientation (new hires plus transfers)? Do you have documentation of the training? Are you familiar with your responsibilities as defined in McMaster’s Risk Management Manual? Have you designated a first aid provider in your department?

Supervisors and Employees Know your Responsibilities! Ontario’s Occupational Health & Safety Act and regulations McMaster’s Risk Management Manual Available on EOHSS website

Workwell critical success factors:  Education  Communication  Partnership Workwell Success – A Shared Responsibility Summary Stay Tuned – Much more info on Workwell to follow!