Tools for Your OH&S Tool Kit

Dear OH&S Committee Members,

Below are updates on key topics related to your role as a worker representative on the OH&S Committee or at your worksite.

Documentation and Written Recommendations

As a worker representative on your OH&S committee or at your worksite, you are the eyes and ears of the union with respect to occupational health and safety issues. Your duty is to identify safety violations and hazards affecting your fellow workers. Your role requires you to work collaboratively with the employer’s representatives to find solutions to these issues. At times, things do not always go smoothly but it is important for you to stand your ground, be heard and force action to be taken. In those situations, these are the steps you must follow:

1. Raise the issue at your OH&S Committee meeting (or with the employer representative at worksites where a committee is not required). Be sure to document the specifics of the issue in your committee minutes.
2. If you receive resistance or lack of action from the employer, complete the OH&S Written recommendation form available on our website. Provide the completed form to the employer and copy the union’s OH&S liaison, Niki Schnurr at nschnurr@moveuptogether.ca. (Note: You do not need the employer co-chair to sign or support the written recommendation. Worker co-chairs can submit them independently).
3. The employer MUST respond to you within 21 days of receiving the written recommendation.
4. If you are not satisfied with the employer’s response, or if they fail to respond, you have the right to contact a WCB Prevention Officer to help you.

 

WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation Mobile App

We recommend all committee members download the WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation mobile app on their smartphone. The app contains all the OH&S regulations which govern worksites and committees.

 

Annual Training

Please ensure that you schedule your 2018 training opportunities. Every worker representative is entitled to eight (8) hours of OH&S training. This training is paid for 100% by your employer and includes all reasonable expenses, plus your wages, for the day.

At MoveUP, we recommend the courses offered by the BCFED Health and Safety Centre.

In addition, any new committee member appointed after April 3, 2017 must receive mandatory training and this training must be taken as soon as possible. If you are new to OH&S, we recommend you start with the Part 1 and Part 2 courses offered by the Health and Safety Centre before branching off to other areas.

Thank you for your continued hard work and commitment to ensuring health and safety at the worksite.

In solidarity,

Annette Toth, Vice-President
Gwenne Farrell, Vice-President
Christy Slusarenko, Vice-President

File Number: 18-MOVEUP-BLTN-Tools-for-Your-OH&S-Tool-Kit-March-5

Union Label: jb:usw2009

Reply to: jbanfield@moveuptogether.ca