Module 1.1 - Learning objectives
- Know about the University health and safety program as it applies to laboratories
- Know about the available resources on campus
Module 1.2 - Office of the Chief Risk Officer
The University of Ottawa has entrusted the institution’s occupational health and safety program to the Office of the Chief Risk Officer (OCRO). A multidisciplinary team of specialists, the Office of the Chief Risk Officer is committed to promoting a safe, healthy and environmentally responsible workplace for University staff, faculty, students and visitors, while supporting the institution’s teaching and research mission.
The Office of the Chief Risk Officer oversees University-wide risk, health and safety, and environmental programs that ensure compliance with regulatory and other requirements. OCRO also supports teaching and research activities by providing professional advice and by nurturing productive and cooperative relationships with all stakeholders. Key functions in managing risk at the University of Ottawa include:
- Designing, implementing and maintaining health and safety and environmental programs, policies and procedures
- Protecting the assets of the University
- Providing advisory services to the University community on health and safety, environmental planning, radiation, laser and biological safety, and risk management
- Acting as University liaison with regulatory agencies and other related organizations
- Facilitating student placement with external agencies
- Fostering a culture of safety through training and awareness programs
- Coordinating hazardous waste services across our campuses
OCRO's mission is to be recognized as a leader in providing proactive integrated risk management services to the uOttawa research and teaching community.
Module 1.3 - Health, safety and risk managers
Representatives from uOttawa faculties and services work with the Office of the Chief Risk Officer. Each unit listed below has a dedicated health, safety and risk manager (HSRM) to provide full-time support with regard to risk, environmental, and health and safety issues within their faculty/service. These resources are the front line for operations within the:
The Office of the Chief Risk Officer and the health, safety and risk managers work together to design, implement and steer the institutional occupational health and safety program. Laboratory personnel are encouraged to reach out to the health, safety and risk managers and/or the Office of the Chief Risk Officer for all laboratory safety questions or concerns.
Module 1.4 - Programs
There are various independent, subject-specific programs within the organizational occupational health and safety management system, including:
- Laboratory Safety (PDF, 1MB)
- Hazard Reporting (PDF, 494KB)
- Fume Hood Maintenance
- Fume Hood Use (PDF, 569KB)
- Designated Substances (PDF, 583KB)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (PDF, 946KB)
- Selection, Use and Care of Respirators (PDF, 1.6MB)
- Supervisor Accident/Incident Investigation (PDF, 401KB)
- Environmental Management
- Biosafety
- Radiation Safety
These programs help the University to meet its obligations under municipal, provincial and federal legislation. Laboratory personnel are encouraged to consult and review programs relevant to their work.
Module 1.5 - By the numbers
According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, in 2018 there were 64,855 lost time injuries in Ontario, out of 264,438 lost time injuries in Canada. Lost time injuries refer to injuries where a person missed work due to a work-related accident. During the same period, there were 334 deaths in Ontario, out of 1,027 in Canada. That is approximately 724 lost time injuries and 3 work-related fatalities per day in 2018.
In the same period at the University, there were 249 reported injuries, with 130 incidents reported in all laboratory spaces.
The intention of the institutional laboratory safety and subject-specific programs is to provide a management framework for implementation by individual faculties, services and work units in order to eliminate and/or mitigate the direct and indirect situations giving rise to these incidents, thus ensuring that teaching and research can progress in a healthy and safe environment for everyone.
Everyone is responsible for health and safety. The University takes its responsibility to ensure worker health and safety very seriously, and supervisors and workers must also play their part.