Programs and procedures

This document applies to all members of the University community, including contractors performing work at the request of the University of Ottawa. The objective of the Asbestos Management Program is to prevent the accidental release of asbestos fibres and implement the prescribed procedures to ensure the health and safety of the campus community during work involving asbestos-containing materials. These procedures are applicable to all work involving asbestos-containing material, including normal building operations, maintenance, repair, renovation and/or demolition. Designated Substances Reports are intended as a base report for whether asbestos or other designated substances exist at the location.

• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses asbestos safety (O. Reg. 278/05).
• Asbestos Management Program
• Designated substances reports and hazardous materials surveys
• Please note: Asbestos is not dangerous unless it is disturbed.

The University of Ottawa has identified all known confined spaces on campus, including elevator pits, sewers, sump pits, and pressure vessels. Other areas on campus may become a confined space depending on the type of work being conducted. Any questions regarding confined spaces may be addressed to the Project Leader, or the Health, Safety and Risk Manager at Facilities. 

• Please be familiar with the regulationthat discusses confined spaces (O. Reg. 632/05).
• To request a risk assessment and access to a confined space, please email the Facilities operations health and safety specialist at [email protected].
• Confined Space Procedure

Designated substances are those identified under the Designated Substances Regulation (Regulation 490/09) of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. Employers of workplaces where these substances are present, used, handled or stored (i.e., uOttawa) are required to carry out an operational use assessment for a person who may be required to handle one or more of the designated substances. The assessment must be formally recorded and regularly reviewed. In circumstances where an exposure is possible, an exposure control program for the identified substances must be established. This program must give hierarchal priority to hazard controls.

There are 11 designated substances: 

1. Acrylonitrile
2. Arsenic
3. Asbestos
4. Benzene
5. Coke oven emissions
6. Ethylene oxide
7. Isocyanates
8. Lead
9. Mercury
10. Silica
11. Vinyl chloride

• Please be familiar with the regulationthat discusses designated substances (O. Reg. 490/09).
• Designated Substances Program

uOttawa has developed a program for the lockout of hazardous energies. All electrical equipment on the project site is expected to be CSA compliant (or equivalent) and in good, safe functioning condition.

• Equipment must be CSA or ESA certified (or Ontario equivalent)
• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses electrical safety (O. Reg. 164/99).
• Electrical Safety Procedure

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment procedure establishes the minimum mandatory requirements and considerations for the relevant stakeholders based on functional needs. The procedure applies to uOttawa employees and meant to serve as a reference for stakeholders at uOttawa.

• Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Procedure
• Risk assessment template

The hearing conservation program is a supplement to the Occupational Health and Safety Management System program manuals and procedures, with focus on hearing conservation. It is intended for workers, students, and any individuals who may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise levels in their work environment, including those generated during research activities. *

• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses sound level safety (O. Reg. 381/15).
• Hearing Conservation Program

A designated guideline for "thermal comfort" to be referenced during periods of warm, summer weather. This guideline is intended for use by the University community who conducted the regular part of their job in an office environment. Please speak to your supervisor if you have concerns regarding workplace temperatures.

• Heat Stress and Cold Stress

All work which generates heat that may cause combustion of surrounding materials, including open flame work, is covered by this procedure. Its purpose is to establish procedures for safe hot or open flame work in specific campus locations. Contractors/subcontractors must ensure that appropriate fire prevention measures are implemented while working at the project site.

• Hot Work Procedure
• Hot Work Permit

Employees must report all accidents, incidents, occupational diseases or near misses to their supervisor immediately. Should the supervisor not be available or should it be after working hours, contact Protection Services immediately.

• On campus, at Roger Guindon Hall or at 200 Lees: call Protection Services at 613-562-5411, or press the emergency button on your campus phone, or use one of the uOttawa's Protection Services emergency phones (blue phones).
• Off campus: call 911 and then, only when it is safe, call 613-562-5411 to notify Protection Services of the incident so they can assist Ottawa emergency services.
• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses critical injury (O. Reg. 834/90).
• Incident Reporting
• Incident Management Procedure
• Supervisor Incident/Accident Investigation Form 

This general procedure aims to set a minimum safety standard for lockout, which is intended to reduce the risk of severe injury by ensuring that equipment cannot be accidentally turned on, switched on, or pressurized while a worker is servicing it. Additional procedures may need to be developed for other applications that require additional safety measures, such as for residual energies.

• Lockout and Tag Out Program
• Lockout and Tag Out Checklist
• Lockout Form

The main objective of this program for mould control is to prepare the employees of the University of Ottawa's Facilities to respond adequately and efficiently in cases of water damage on campus, in order to prevent undesirable mould growth within the university building.

• Mould Control and Water Damage Restoration Program

Due to the nature of most construction projects, work requiring the use of personal protective equipment is expected. Persona protective equipment must be maintained in serviceable condition. All users are expected to understand the equipment limitations and ensure that their protective equipment is fitted properly. Contractors may be required to produce proof of fit testing for certain projects.

• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses personal protective equipment (R. R. O. 1990 Reg. 851)
• Personal Protective Equipment

This procedure describes the Potable Water Quality Management Program used by the University of Ottawa.

• Potable Water Program

Rooftop access is a critical aspect of maintaining and managing university buildings, allowing personnel to perform essential tasks such as inspections, maintenance, and repairs. Ensuring safe and regulated access to rooftops is vital to prevent accidents and comply with health and safety standards. This involves implementing protocols that address potential hazards and provide clear guidelines for safe entry and work on roofs, aligning with both university policies and legislative requirements.

• Roof Access Program
• Roof access request form

Working alone is strongly discouraged. Nevertheless, the University recognizes that, in unique or special circumstances, persons may need to work in isolation. This document outlines the guidelines of what it means to work alone, how to identify and reduce (or control) hazards, what to do in emergency situations and how to report accidents, incidents and workplace violence.

• Read through and be familiar with procedure 14-1, and aware of your responsibilities to keep yourself safe
• Working alone procedure

Contractors / subcontractors must ensure that their personnel are trained in working at heights and wear appropriate safety harnesses or use a fall protection system when there is a danger of falling more than 3 meters or other conditions described in Regulation 213 (26), Regulation 851 or other applicable standards.

• Please be familiar with the regulation that discusses fall protection and working at heights during construction projects (O. Reg. 213/91)
• Working at Heights Procedure