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Home My WebLink AboutCOD-005-12 Clarftwn CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: February 27, 2012 Resolution#: By-law#: Report#: COD-005-12 File#: Subject: JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE — 2011 SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report COD-005-12 be received for information. Submitted by: - - Mike McCron, Co-Chair La ouceur, Co-Chair Joint Health & Safety Committee Joint Health & Safety Committee _ f x Reviewed by: _.. { Marie Marano, H.B.Sc., C.M.O., Franklin Wu Director of Corporate Services/ Chief Administrative Officer Human Resources MM/LW/MM/ML/gj CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 REPORT NO.: COD-005-12 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Report COD-005-12 has been prepared to provide Council with an update of activities undertaken by the Joint Health and Safety Committee during the past year. The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires the Joint Health and Safety Committee provide the employer with an annual update if requested. This report also provides a summary of incidents and accidents that occurred in the workplace during 2011. 2.0 2011 HIGHLIGHTS 2.1 Review and Update of Corporate Health & Safety Policies Work has been progressing throughout the year to review and update all of the Corporate Health. & Safety Policies. The update and review process will be complete before the end of this year. 2.2 Workwell Program The Workwell Committee from our very successful Workwell Audit from 2006 has been reassembled. Working meetings began in 2011 and will continue in 2012. Group members are reviewing and updating each Section of the WSIB Workwell Health & Safety Audit Assessment. 2.3 WSIB Safety Group The Municipality has joined a WSIB "Safety Group" sponsored by Pubic Services Health & Safety Association. The goal of this group is to have each group member set targets to improve elements of their H&S Program. If all group members reach their targets after being audited by WSIB there is potential to receive up to 6% of their annual premium back from WSIB in the form of a rebate, which for Clarington could result in savings of up to approximately $27,000 based on an annual premium of $450,000. This is in addition to any NEER rebate. 2.4 2010 NEER Statement Results Throughout the course of the year, the WSIB monitors the number of reported incidents and accidents. Employers are required to advise the WSIB of any injury that requires medical aid and/or lost time. The cost value of these claims is reported back to the employer quarterly in the form of a NEER statement. NEER is referred to as the New Experimental Experience Rating. The individual employer's performance is measured through the WSIB Performance Index REPORT NO.: COD-005-12 PAGE 3 utilizing the previous four (4) year injury history and are used in part to assess the employer's annual premiums. A rating of 1.0 is neutral; above 1.0 requires addition premium surcharges to be paid by the employer; and a rating below 1.0, the employer receives a refund of premiums. These adjustments are in addition to the base rate group premium of$2.19 per $100.00 of earnings. Clarington has been in a refund situation for the past number of years with the exception of 2010. On April 28th, 2010 during suppression operations a volunteer fire fighter suffered a very serious knee injury. The damage to the knee was extensive and required surgery to repair. After a long road of rehabilitation, we are happy to report the Firefighter has recovered and returned to active duties on February 2, 2011 in his volunteer capacity. Preliminary estimates from WSIB for 2011 indicate Clarington will be in a refund situation. Refunds/Surcharges for the past 4 years are as listed: Year Performance Index Refund or (Surcharge) 2011 0.03* (estimated) $100,000.00* (estimated) 2010 2.03 ($105,601.31) 2009 0.19 $70,221.95 2008 0.06 $32,551.83 *The 2011 Refund is a WSIB estimate only at this time. The final figure will not be available until the September 2012 cost statement arrives from WSIB. 3.0 EARLY and SAFE RETURN TO WORK PROGRAM 3.1 In order to reduce lost earnings costs to the above noted NEER program, the WSIB encourages all employers to develop an Early and Safe Return to Work program. The purpose of this program is for the employer to work with the injured employee to return to work as soon as possible after experiencing a work- related injury. 3.2 In most cases, employees who experience a work-related injury return to work within 24 hours and do not incur lost wages. However, in more serious injuries, employees may not be able to perform their normal duties. In the past, those employees would have remained off work until they were able to return to full REPORT NO.: COD-005-12 PAGE 4 duties. The Early and Safe Return to Work Program allows the employer to offer the employee alternate duties that would be meaningful to the employer, and not cause any further injury to the employee. By doing so, the employee returns to work earlier than they normally may; the employee does not collect WSIB payment for lost wages and the employer does not incur increased WSIB premiums. Clarington has an early and safe return to work program and policy in place. 4.0 ACTIVITES 4.1 The Joint Health and Safety Committee (JH&SC) is co-chaired by Municipal staff representing both management and workers within the Municipality. The Health & Safety Coordinator now occupies the management co-chair position ongoing. The committee represents Non-Affiliated workers, Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 74 (both Inside and Outside Workers) as well as the Clarington Fire Fighters Association Local 3139. 4.2 The Committee consists of 16 members (members list; attachment #1) plus 15 alternate members who attend meetings in the absence of a JH&SC Member; and, assist with monthly facility inspections. 4.3 The Municipal JH&SC members meet every month with the exception of July and August. All minutes are retained within statutory limits and current minutes are posted for all staff on the Health and Safety Boards located at every workplace within the Municipality. A typical agenda may include: • Agenda Review • Introduction of Guests • Department Head Presentation • Approval of Previous Minutes • Business Arising from Minutes • Review of Previous Month Workplace Inspections • Current Workplace Inspections • Accident/ Injury Statistics Review • Update from Emergency Services • Update from Health & Safety Coordinator • Other Business • Workplace Inspection Assignments 4.4 The JH&SC members also conduct monthly inspections of Municipal workplaces. On a monthly basis, there are at least fourteen inspections carried out by the JH&SC. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OH&SA) states that all REPORT NO.: COD-005-12 PAGE 5 facilities must be inspected monthly; and where it is not practical to for a complete inspection, at least part of the facility must be inspected. In addition the requirement to inspect municipal work sites, all other municipally owned facilities (Board operated community centres) are inspected at least once per year. Inspection forms are also retained and the current forms posted on the JH&SC Boards for staff information. 4.5 JH&SC members participated in 2 separate full day training upgrade sessions in 2011. The first session in October included five modules; Slips, Trips and Falls, Ergonomics, Personal Protective Equipment, Prevention of Falls from Heights and Workplace Inspections. The second session in November was on Risk Assessment/Hazard Analysis. 5.0 INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS 5.1 Incidents and accidents are tracked and reported on a monthly basis to the Health & Safety Committee. The statistics are used to identify trends and opportunities for training. SUMMARY OF INJURY/INCIDENT REPORTS 2010— 2011 to Date (May 31St, 2011) 2010 2011 TYPE OF INJURY—All Incidents Lifts and Strains (including RSI) 18 18 Slips Trips and Falls 14 18 Burns 2 4 Animal Bites & Scratches 1 2 Pinch 2 3 Miscellaneous (including cuts) 21 19 Near Miss 3 1 Property Damage 2 7 Illness 2 TOTAL 63 72 REPORT NO.: COD-005-12 PAGE 6 5.2 The Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) requires employers to report a work related accident if they learn that a worker required health care and/or; is absent from work, earns less than regular pay, requires modified work at less than regular pay, or the worker does not receive medical attention but requires modified work for more than seven calendar days following the date of the accident. Employers are not required to report a work related accident if the worker receives only first aid. The reported number of workplace incidents to WSIB is as follows: REPORTS TO WSIB 2010 2011 Medical Aid 12 19 Lost Time 4 5 TOTAL 16 24 6.0 COMMENTS 6.1 Support for the Health and Safety Program within the Municipality has been endorsed by all staff from the part-time occasional staff member to full time staff, supervisors, managers, department heads, CAO and Council. This support has been demonstrated by both reduced claims costs, reduced lost time costs. Continued support for staff training programs and awareness will continue to reduce injuries and costs within the workplace. 7.0 CONCURRENCE - Not applicable CONFORMITY WITH STRATEGIC PLAN — Not Applicable Staff Contact: Mike McCron, Health & Safety Co-ordinator Attachments: Attachment 1 — Joint Health and Safety Committee Members - 2012 Attachment 2 — Health and Safety Policy Statement - 2012 Attachment #1 Leading the Way JOINT HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2012 All phone numbers are Area Code 905 NON-AFFILIATED MEMBERS ALTERNATES Ext Ext Mike McCron** 6233379 Patti Barrie* (M) 6233379 Corporate Services— 1 st Floor MAC X2204 Clerk's—2nd Floor MAC X2102 Len Hunter (M) 4351061 Mark Berney** 6233370 Community Services—SCA x222 Emergency Services—HQ X2430 Lockie Longhurst** 263-2291 Jenny Bilenduke** 6233379 Operations— Hampton X535 Engineering —3rd Floor MAC X2301 Marie Marano (M) 6233379 Jennifer Cooke* (M) 6233379 Corporate Services- 1St Floor—MAC X2202 Corporate Services—4th Floor MAC X2214 Steve Myers** 435-1061 Ken Ferguson (M) 623-5728 Community Services—SCA x230 Community Services - RRC x630 Gord Weir** 623-3379 Gerry Jordan (M) 6233379 Emergency & Fire Services— HQ X2430 Corporate Services— 1St Floor MAC X2201 Lisa Wheller (M) 623-3379 Nancy Taylor (M) 6233379 Corporate Services— 1St Floor MAC X2205 Finance— 1St Floor MAC X2602 Lori Gordon** 623-3379 Finance— 1St Floor MAC X2604 AFFILIATED MEMBERS ALTERNATES Marc Ladouceur**(F) Co-Chair 623-5126 Dan Worrall** (F) 623-5126 Emergency& Fire Services ncy& Fire Services Michael Ste.Croix (M) 623-3379 Rob Groen** (M) 623-3379 Finance— 1 st Floor MAC X2615 Operations/Build. Services- 1"Floor MAC X2920 Stewart Richardson 623-5126 Bob Russell (M) 623-3379 Emergency& Fire Services Plannin Services-3rd Floor- MAC X2421 Adrian Coolen** 6233379 Tom Stout (M) 263-2291 Engineering— 3rd Floor- MAC X2316 Operations - Hampton Rob McKay* (M) 263-2291 Jan Vreeker (M) 623-3379 Operations— Hampton Corporate Services—4th Floor- MAC X2216 Paul Neto** 6233379 Mike Bourke (M) 263-2291 Operations— Basement—MAC X2922 Operations - Hampton Jason Campbell (M) 263-2291 Operations - Hampton Workplace Inspectors Tom Vendrasco (M) 623-3379 Brigitta Harris (M) 623-3379 Clerks—2nd Floor-MAC X2113 Corporate Services— 1 st Floor- MAC X2211 Aidan McConkey (F) 623-5126 Emergency& Fire Services Secretary Alternate June Gallagher 6233379 Gerry Jordan 6233379 Clerk's—2nd Floor-MAC X2106 Corporate Services— 1 st Floor MAC X2201 Advisor Franklin Wu — CAO 6233379 GAO's Office—3rd Floor- MAC X2002 Meeting Quorum: 6 Affiliated and 4 Non-Affiliated Members and/or Alternates * Certified Members -Part 1 1 Effective Date: January 2012 ** Certified Members— WPS (Bold) (M-Municipal/F-Fire) JAHEALTH&SAFETY\Committee\JHSC Members.doc ATTACHMENT#2. �BCdCll/2g t�2G �lX,y ADMINISTRATIVE & CORPORATE POLICIES -13 HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY STATEMENT SECTION: E DATE APPROVED: February 28, 2006 CATEGORY: LAST REVISED: January 4, 2012 SUBSECTION: 13 APPROVED BY: CAO APPLICATION: All Employees The Municipality of Clarington is committed to the protection of our employees and property from accidental loss, We believe that this is critical to the success of our business and our goal is zero incidents of injury, illness or damages. We believe an accident free workplace is possible. The Health and Safety of our employees is of the utmost Importance in all of our operations, and is a shared responsibility, which must be accepted by everyone in our workplace. A successful safety program and a safe workplace depends on concern and commitment from all personnel. The responsibility for Health & Safety ultimately rests with senior management, but managers and supervisors at all levels will be held accountable for the safety performance of their employees. However, all employees have the responsibility of working safely and protecting the lives and health of themselves and their fellow workers, Being alert to unsafe conditions or practices, looking out for fellow employees and reminding them when they do something unsafe, as well as reporting unsafe conditions is imperative, if we are to achieve our goal, 'In support of these beliefs, we must accept our responsibilities to minimize risk and injuries to our fellow workers, the public we proudly serve, and to ourselves. Health & Safety must be in our thoughts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We must meet, and wherever possible exceed, the requirements of all applicable health and safety legislation/regulation, our own standards and work procedures, along with applicable industry standards. Contractors will be held accountable for all infractions of their workers. Contractors and their workers who do not follow the Health & Safety program of the Municipality of Clarington will be asked to leave the work site. By accepting these responsibilities and through active participation and co-operation we will together achieve our goal for a safe, healthy and productive work environment, Our Health and Safety Program Manual and policies will be subject to annual review. Joint Health & Safety N Franklin Wu, CAO Mike McCron, Non-Affiliated Co-Chair Mar° CadoClceU , Affiliated Co-Chair