The University's record is good - but the Director of its Department of Health, Safety and Environment (DHSE) says another major step is now being taken to make it an even safer place.

Sunil Choubal

It's a step he believes will ensure that health and safety concerns are resolved in an effective and timely manner.

Sunil Choubal says that a year and a half after establishing a single new Occupational Health Committee to oversee its major health and safety issues, the U of S is now setting up a comprehensive campus-wide network of 21 Local Safety Committees (LSCs).

Choubal says the local committees will be the key to identifying and remedying safety concerns in the workplace, acting as the eyes and ears that can monitor health- and safety-related issues at the college, division, department and unit levels.

The head of DHSE says until 2002, "we had committees scattered around campus", but the University didn't have a co-ordinated or effective way to ensure that health and safety issues were being fully addressed in all areas.

That's why in February 2002 the new overarching Occupational Health Committee was formed, with top-level U of S officials and representatives of all campus unions as members.

"But we recognize our University environment is fairly large and diverse, so this Occupational Health Committee has to be supported by Local Safety Committees," Choubal says.

"People in the LSCs are closer to the scene and are the most knowledgeable about conditions in their own environment - so they're the best observers."

He says by the end of 2003 the 21 LSCs will be set up in: Administration; Agriculture; Arts & Science/Commerce/Law; Biology; Chemistry; Geological Sciences; Physics & Engineering Physics; Library & Graduate Studies; Dentistry; Education; Engineering; Extension Division; Kinesiology; Health Sciences Building; Pharmacy & Nutrition; Veterinary Medicine; Information & Communications Technology; Consumer Services Division; Facilities Management Division; VIDO; and the Office of the Vice-President of Research & Research Services.

Each Local Safety Committee will have from four to 10 members. They will meet at least four times a year and will encourage employees in their area to submit any health or safety concerns. They will also conduct periodic workplace inspections and will encourage proactive and preventive safety measures in their areas.

While Choubal says the emphasis is on having employees and Local Safety Committees realize that safety is everyone's business, and most safety issues should be identified and fixed at the local level, the LSCs must refer certain major issues to the University-level Occupational Health Committee. These include: refusals of unsafe work; major injuries or loss of life; acts of violence; Saskatchewan Labour notices of contraventions; and any dangerous occurrences. They can also refer any other issues they are unable to resolve.

Choubal notes that while the people in the LSCs are the eyes and ears, the committees also need health and safety expertise - so each of the 21 LSCs has a DHSE staff safety manager available as a resource, who attends LSC meetings and facilitates the resolution of health and safety concerns.

The committees are also being given support information, and the DHSE website includes background information for the local committees, including templates of issues to look for, such as: exit and entrance safety; floor hazards; stair safety concerns; lighting; electrical issues; equipment and machinery safety checklists; fire safety; first aid accessibility; and hazardous materials information. The LSC website is: http://adminsrv.usask .ca/hse/lsc_main.htm.

Choubal stresses that the need for people to be vigilant about safety doesn't represent "new duties". Legislation has always required line management in workplaces to address health and safety issues, and it's part of the management responsibilities of supervisors, deans and division heads at the U of S, he says.

Choubal is pleased with the new structure, saying the local committees will raise awareness of health and safety and "make everyone an active participant in the process".

He believes the move goes a long way to fulfilling the University's "moral, societal and legal obligation to demonstrate stewardship and leadership" in occupational health and safety.

For more information, contact communications.office@usask.ca

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