Policy 2.2.16: Occupational Health, Safety and Environment


Effective date: January 1, 2003
Responsibility: Vice-President, People and Culture

STATEMENT

CBC/Radio-Canada will ensure that effective practices are in place to protect the health, safety and well being of its employees and its guests, as well as any person granted access to the CBC’s premises. CBC/Radio-Canada will also ensure protection and the preservation of the environment in all aspects of his activities.

APPLICATION

This policy applies to all CBC/Radio-Canada employees and those persons performing work on behalf of the CBC/Radio-Canada in whatever capacity.

DESCRIPTION

This policy covers Occupational Health and Safety, protection and preservation of the Environment, No Smoking, and Drug and Alcohol Testing for large vehicle drivers. More detailed information is contained in the relevant legislation listed above.

The Corporation has developed a multi-faceted program designed to promote a workplace that encourages continuous improvement in its concern and protection for its workforce and also protection and preservation of the environment.

RESPONSIBILITY

All CBC/Radio-Canada managers and employees have a responsibility to take all reasonable and necessary precautions to ensure their own health and safety as well as that of other employees and of any person likely to be affected by acts or omissions.

All CBC/Radio-Canada managers and employees also have a responsibility for the implementation and compliance of this policy and for ensuring that all CBC/Radio-Canada occupied premises are in compliance with applicable Health, Safety and Environment legislation.

Health, Safety & Environment is responsible to ensure that this Policy as well as other related legislation’s regulations, codes and policies are applied.

REFERENCES

  • Canada Human Rights act
  • Canada Labour Code Part II and Regulations
  • Canadian Building Code
  • Canadian Environmental Protection Act
  • Canadian Fire Code
  • Environmental Standards ISO 14001
  • Government Employees Compensation Act
  • Hazardous Products Act and Regulations
  • Non Smokers' Health Act and Regulations
  • Personal information protection and electronic documents Act
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations
  • U.S. Department of Transportation Drug & Alcohol Regulations
  • Other related regulation, policies and procedures

HISTORY

  • This policy was revised in March 2007

Replaces previous Human Resources Policies:

  • No-Smoking no. 1.8
  • Safety and Health no. 11.0
  • Absence due to Work Injury no. 11.1
  • Substance Abuse – Guidelines no. 11.2
  • Corporate Policy:
  • Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Procedures no. 23.0

PROCEDURES ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY 2.2.16:

I. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

As people are the most important asset of the CBC/Radio-Canada, it recognizes the value and importance of good health for its employees. Occupational Health programs aims to promote the health of our people, as well as promote their well-being, attendance, and rehabilitation when needed. Across the Corporation numerous programs are offered which are uniquely designed to meet the varying needs and interests of our employees.

These programs are related but not limited to occupational health, disability management services, rehabilitation, and health promotion to enhance employee productivity and wellness.

PROCEDURES ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH POLICY 2.2.16:

1. Health Services

Health services offers consultative services and support to managers and employees on Occupational Health matters such as but not limited to:

a) Attendance and absenteeism issues related to medical condition
b) Performance problem related to a medical condition
c) Reference to specialised resources
d) Travel and Health
e) Training

2. Medical Leave

The CBC/Radio-Canada offers income protection to employees during periods of medical absences according to H.R. policy 2.2.7 - Income Protection

In order to receive the benefits to which they are entitled, and in all but extreme circumstances, employees must notify their supervisor of their absence promptly, no later than the first day of sick leave. They most inform the supervisor of the reason and anticipated duration of their absence, without going into detail about their medical condition and accordance with their collective agreement. (Reference: Attendance management Procedure).

For absences of one to three days, in the majority of cases, no medical certificate is necessary, except if required by collective agreement or at supervisor’s request.

For absences of more that three days, employees must provide a medical certificate completed by a medical doctor certified by the College of Physicians of their province, stipulating that they are incapable of performing their duties. The certificate must be received as soon as possible, and as per the collective agreement.

In all cases, the confidentiality of medical information will be respected and protected in accordance with related regulation and as per collective agreement when applicable.

3. Disability Management

The CBC/Radio-Canada Disability Management Program is designed to help all employees with temporary or permanent work restrictions to return to productive work. (Reference to the joint Health Promotion and Disability Management program)

The National Disability Management committee is formed at the national level. Local Disability Management committees will be established as needed to deal with the individual disability management cases.

As indicated in H.R. Policy 2.2.20 - Non-discrimination and the duty to accommodate, the CBC/Radio-Canada will take the appropriate measures, short of undue hardship, to provide reasonable accommodation to its employees. Successful accommodation imposes responsibilities on the CBC/Radio-Canada, its employees and the Unions who represent these employees. Any accommodation will be based on consultations with the employee concerned, his/her supervisor, Human resources representatives, a designated union representative and outside specialists, as appropriate.

4. Health Promotion

Objective data are necessary to develop targeted Health Promotion programs and to demonstrate their benefits. This requires a periodic compilation of statistics.

The CBC/Radio-Canada and the National committee on Health Promotion and Disability Management will analyze the data to develop and recommends programs in relation with health promotion, prevention as well as proactive disability management initiatives.

Health promotion programs will be offered and developed in collaboration with Management, Bargaining units and Employees.

5. Drug and Alcohol Testing

The CBC/Radio-Canada will fully comply with international drug and alcohol testing laws under the United States Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Regulations (for drivers of vehicles weighing over 11,794 kg.). A program which was developed in response to this legal requirement is in place and applies to those drivers entering and driving in the United States. It is also designed to help prevent accidents and injuries resulting from misuse of alcohol or controlled substances.

II. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY

A joint union-management Policy Committee is established to provide a forum for consultation on corporate-wide health and safety issues and for those which may impact more than a single workplace.

Joint union–management Workplace Committees are established to provide a forum for consultation on local health and safety issues. Workplace committees have a mandate to conduct monthly workplace inspections for the purpose of identifying and reporting hazardous conditions and instances of non-compliance with legislative requirements. The committees then work with CBC/Radio-Canada management to ensure a speedy and effective resolution.

Occupational Health and Safety Procedures and Guidelines are critical support tools in the day-to-day management of workplace Health and Safety issues. These are posted on the Health, Safety and Environment Intranet site and Supervisors/Managers should consult the site as required.

The CBC/Radio-Canada will meet or exceed the requirements of Part II of the Canada Labour Code and its pursuant regulations to ensure that the health and safety at work of all employees is protected.

The Hazardous Occurrence Investigation and Reporting System has been designed to provide guidance to management and supervision so that they may quickly and thoroughly respond to workplace accidents and injuries. Responsibilities are clearly outlined in the Hazardous Occurrence Investigation and Reporting Procedure. Major hazardous occurrences must be reported immediately to the CEO and Senior Vice-President, Human Resources and Organization.

PROCEDURES ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY

  1. General: The Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Intranet site provides access to various procedures, guidelines and detailed information for day-to-day management of Occupational Health and Safety at CBC.
  2. Committees: A Policy Health and Safety Committee is formed at the national level. Workplace Health and Safety Committees are formed at locations where there are 20 or more employees. Health and Safety Representatives are appointed by the bargaining units at those locations where there are fewer than 20 employees.
  3. Workplace Injury: (Reference: The Hazardous Occurrence Investigation and Reporting Procedure).
a) Employees are required to report to their immediate Supervisor any hazardous occurrence, including any work-related accident or injury.
b) In the event of a workplace accident or injury the Supervisor must complete the required investigation, with the participation of the employee involved (if possible), an employee representative - or alternate - from the workplace committee and any witnesses. Serious injury or accidental death must be reported to the senior management of the area, to the Health, Safety and Environment Department, to the Vice-President of People and Culture and to the CEO.
c) Claims of work related injury or illness are reported to Human Resources Development Canada, who forward them to the appropriate Provincial Workers’ Compensation Board for adjudication. Employees may receive workers’ compensation benefits, injury-on-duty leave, or absence with or without pay. Claims not accepted by WCB must be claimed through CBC/Radio-Canada as sick leave or leave without pay. At no time may any employee be in a position to 'benefit' from over payment or double payment.
d) Employees will continue to accumulate annual leave benefits for the first 85 days of work injury leave.
e) An employee may be required to produce evidence of good health from a physician, prior to returning to work.

  1. Internal Complaints Resolution Process: (Reference: The Reporting and Investigating Hazards / Complaints Procedure) Employees are required to make any health or safety related complaints, or any claim that there is a contravention of the Canada Labour Code, Part II or its pursuant regulations, to the immediate supervisor who will try to resolve the issue with the employee.
    In the event that the complaint cannot be resolved, the procedure provides guidelines to managers and supervisors on how to involve the workplace committee to assist in investigating and resolving the issue.
  2. Non-Smoking Work Environment: Smoking is prohibited in all CBC/Radio-Canada occupied (owned, rented, leased) premises, including vehicles of any nature.

a) Designated Areas: Smoking is permitted only in officially designated areas. Indoors, these areas must be separated from the building’s ventilation system and must be directly vented to the outdoors. In all other areas (leased, rented or owned) including all vehicles, smoking is absolutely prohibited.
b) Smoke Breaks: Employees may use the designated rooms during formal breaks or as permitted by the Supervisor. Smoke breaks must not interfere with work responsibilities.
c) Guests: Employees hosting guests, visitors or contractors are responsible for ensuring total compliance with this policy and the Non Smokers' Health Act. Refusal to do so will result in removal from CBC/Radio-Canada premises.
d) Non Compliance: Employees not complying with this Policy or the Non Smokers' Health Act may be subject to disciplinary actions as well as prosecution under the Non-Smoker’s Health Act.
e) Complaints: Complaints should be forwarded to the employee's immediate Supervisor and/or next level of authority as required
  1. Access to Corporation buildings
    To ensure the safety of CBC/Radio-Canada staff and visitors, employees and their guests must wear visible Corporation ID at all times while at work. Exceptions may be made if employees or their guests must appear on television or when visitors are part of an invited studio audience and accompanied by Corporation staff. All CBC/Radio-Canada employees and security officers may ask anyone in the building to show their Corporation-supplied ID card, failing which the person will be escorted off the premises.

III. ENVIRONMENT

The CBC/Radio-Canada strives to contribute to the protection and the preservation of the environment by integrating environmental and economic priorities into each working unit and by continuously improving environmental performance. CBC/Radio-Canada is committed to the concept of sustainable development and recognizes that its responsibilities in the field of environmental management are a high corporate priority in view of its widespread and diversified activities.

PROCEDURES ON ENVIRONMENT POLICY 2.2.16:

Refer to the Environmental Management Program Manual 2002-2003 which covers the following aspects:

Planning:

Environmental aspects, legal and other requirements, objectives and targets, environmental action plan.

Implementation and Operation:

Structure and responsibility, training, awareness and competence, communication, EMP (environmental management program) documentation, document control, operational control, emergency preparedness and reaction.

Checking and Corrective actions and Management Review

Monitoring and measurement, non-conformance, corrective and preventive actions, records and environmental management audit.

Also, the EMP Manual includes operational procedures required to manage the most significant environmental aspects.

APPENDIX A - ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is committed to the protection and preservation of environment by integrating environmental and economic factors into its decision-making process in all of its activities. The CBC/Radio-Canada supports the concept of sustainable development and recognizes that its responsibilities in the field of environmental management constitute a high corporate priority.

It is consequently the Environmental Policy of the CBC/Radio-Canada to:

  1. Comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations and other corporate requirements;
  2. Monitor and continuously improve its overall environmental performance by seeking to meet or exceed established objectives and targets, periodically reviewed in light of changes to environmental aspects of the CBC/Radio-Canada activities and facilities;
  3. Develop, design and operate its facilities and conduct its activities in accordance with sound environmental practices and recognized standards to prevent discharges or emissions to the environment and other forms of pollution;
  4. Communicate the CBC/Radio-Canada Environmental Policy to its employees, provide training and motivate its employees to conduct their functions and activities in an environmentally responsible manner and in accordance with the principles set out in this Environmental Policy.

The CBC/Radio-Canada Environmental Policy is to be implemented and maintained by each CBC/Radio-Canada installation, with the adjustments required for their own respective operations.

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