Workplace Safety and Health

If you have any questions that our website does not answer, please contact Deanna Kowalchuk, Workplace Safety & Health Officer 204-483-6258.

Southwest Horizon School Division is vitally interested in the Safety and Health of its employees, students and visitors. Protection of employees from injury or occupational disease is a major continuing objective. We will make every effort to provide a safe, healthy work environment. All supervisors and workers must be dedicated to the continuing objective of reducing risk of injury and illness. The Board of Trustees, Superintendent, Secretary Treasurer and Southwest Horizon School Division’s Principals and Supervisors are committed and responsible for the success and implementation of the Workplace Safety and Health Program and will take every reasonable precaution possible for the protection of their employees.

We are committed to promoting a safe and healthy workplace for all employees, contractors, students and visitors. In pursuit of our commitment, Southwest Horizon School Division will develop, implement and enforce such policies and procedures that promote and provide a healthier, safer work environment. We understand the importance of safety to the well being and productivity of our people and strive to safeguard the workplace from injury and malfeasance through dereliction of duty towards safety. We will act in compliance with all, Federal and Provincial Workplace Safety and Health legislation. Southwest Horizon School Division will act in compliance with the Workplace Safety and Health Act of Manitoba and its Regulations.

Communication

Southwest Horizon School Division encourages open communication on Safety and Health issues. It is essential to providing an injury-free and productive work environment.

• Employees that voice or identify a Safety and Health concern will not be subject to retaliation.

• The Divisional Workplace Safety and Health Officer (DWSH Officer) will review Safety and Health comments and concerns.

• The Joint Safety and Health Committee (JSHC) and Divisional Workplace Safety and Health Officer (DWSH Officer) will initiate an investigation on each reported and/or potential hazard.

• Employees are encouraged to inform their Supervisor or Divisional Workplace Safety and Health Officer (DWSH Officer) of any matter they perceive to be an actual or potential workplace hazard.

• Communication can be written or oral and may be anonymous if so desired.

Employee Responsibilities

Board of Trustees and Executives

• These division officials are responsible for supplying an effective strategy that can manage the occupational Safety and Health concerns of Southwest Horizon School Division.

• They must ensure that resources are allocated and governed properly to achieve the Safety and Health requirements of employees and that there policy comply with (Southwest Horizon School Division's) legal obligations.

• Foster a workplace culture of safety with appropriate leadership.

• Review the policies efficacy on an annual basis and revise where necessary.

Supervisors

• Must continually promote Safety and Health awareness to ensure the safe performance of employees.

• Utilize the process of hazard identification, risk management and incident investigation.

• Held accountable for the Safety and Health of workers under their supervision.

• Ensure that machinery and equipment are safe and that employees work in compliance with established safe work practices and procedures.

• Ensure that employees receive adequate training in their specific work tasks to protect their Safety and Health.

• Ensure the employees are utilizing and trained on the specific use of their personal protective equipment.

• Maintain good housekeeping standards and assign specific cleaning and organizing responsibilities to individuals.

• Enforce all established safety legislation and work methods. Take disciplinary action when necessary to ensure compliance with the rules.

Divisional Workplace Safety and Health Officer

• Liaison with government agencies to ensure workplace Safety and Health compliance.

• Act as an advisor to management on Safety and Health administrative procedure issues.

• Coordinate Safety and Health inspections and follow up to ensure the completion of necessary corrective actions.

• Develop best practices.

• Design and develop accident / incident reports and investigation procedures.

• Maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of Safety and Health regulations as mandated federally or by the province.

• Design and develop division policies and procedures on Workplace Safety and Health issues.

• Facilitate and create Workplace Safety and Health training programs.

• Review injury and illness trends and identify problem areas and solutions. 

Employees

• Responsible for compliance with occupational Safety and Health policies and procedures.

• Must notify Supervisors and the Divisional Workplace Safety and Health Officer of any Safety and Health concerns so that they may be dealt with promptly.

• Every employee must protect his or her own Safety and Health by working in compliance with the law and with safe work practices and procedures established by the division.

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment as required.

• Report unsafe or potentially hazardous conditions, without fear of reprisal, to there Supervisor or Divisional Workplace Safety and Health Officer.

All Staff Are Responsible for the Following

• Completion of required occupational Safety and Health training.

• Performance of their duties in a manner conducive to a safe workplace following all safety practices and procedures.

• Reporting of any incident, injury or hazard as outlined in procedures.

• Report any acts of violence or harassment in the workplace.

• Promoting a hazard-free workplace.

• Learning the posted Emergency Plan detailing their facilities procedures pertaining to: Fire, Weather or Medical Emergency.

Students

• Be responsible for performing safe work for themselves and their classmates and to be diligent in helping to create and maintain a safe and healthy work and play environment.

Visitors

• Sign in and report to a division representative prior to accessing the schools, offices and worksites belonging to the Southwest Horizon School Division.

• Wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required by the SHSD.

• Adhere to all directions given to them by SHSD employees.

• Do not remove any School Division property from any of division’s workplaces.

• Sign out when the visit is complete. 

Contractors

• Follow the SHSD contractor guidelines.

• Ensure a Safe Workplace.

• Ensure Hazard Assessments are completed prior to the start of work.

• Ensure compliance with the Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Legislation.

• Follow applicable safe work practices and procedures.

• Ensure substandard acts and conditions are corrected.

• Ensure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn and is appropriate for the type of work being done.

• Provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) sheets for any controlled products that they bring/use on our worksites.

• Ensure all equipment is in good safe operating condition and properly maintained.