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Occupational Health and Safety Policy

Purpose

To establish and maintain a safe and healthy work and learning environment. 

Scope

This policy applies to all Seneca personnel, including employees, students, contractors, and visitors. 

Key definitions

None. 

Policy

1. General

  1. Seneca is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy work and learning environment for its employees, students, contractors and visitors.
  2. Seneca accepts its duty and responsibility to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers.
  3. Seneca recognizes that reducing and eliminating risks of occupational illnesses and injuries is a shared responsibility of its executives, management, employees, students, contractors and visitors.
  4. All Seneca policies and programs will comply with the regulations/procedures as set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Ontario Fire Code and all other applicable Federal, Provincial and Municipal Acts and Regulations, which apply to this institution.

2. Roles and responsibilities

  1. Seneca is responsible for implementing an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management System that:
    • ascribes and delegates the roles and responsibilities for the development, implementation and maintenance of the system
    • plans and arranges for the development, implementation, maintenance and evaluation of policies, standards and programs relating to safe working conditions and work practices
    • provides for a system to deliver required training and instruction for all employees
    • inspires the ongoing development of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) for occupational health and safety where responsibility is shared by all workplace parties and at every level
    • demonstrates due diligence.
  2. Seneca managers and supervisors must:
    • be accountable for the health and safety of employees under their supervision
    • ensure that workers work in compliance with legislation and established safe work procedures
    • ensure their employees are provided with health and safety training and education appropriate to their job requirements
    • be responsible for the timely implementation of corrective actions to eliminate or control potential health and safety hazards associated with the activities under their supervision.
  3. The Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC) and Health Safety Representatives (HSR) must:
    • foster a strong health and safety culture at Seneca
    • provide a joint forum for evaluating hazards
    • make recommendations to Management on the effectiveness of the OHS Management System.
  4. Employees
    • each employee is responsible for protecting their own health and safety by working in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and in accordance with the policies and procedures established by Seneca
    • failure by employees, contractors, or students to observe the OHS management system may lead to disciplinary action or jeopardize contractual agreements.

Supporting documentation

Related Seneca policies

  • None.

Related materials

Approval Date: September 2005

Last Revision: September 2020