Module 3.1 - Know the hazards in your workplace
One of your jobs as a supervisor is to help plan and organize the work. This is no small job. To do it well, you need to understand the work and the hazards associated with it. You also need to know how to eliminate or control those hazards and to make sure the health and safety of the workers is protected in doing so.
At the root of every work-related death, injury or sickness is a hazard of some kind. Hazards can take many forms. Sometimes, more than one hazard can combine to make an even greater hazard. Here are some of the most common hazards in Ontario workplaces:
- Repeating the same movements over and over, especially if you are in an awkward position or you use a lot of force. Think of someone who bends down all day, or someone who continually sits at a reception area.
- Slipping, tripping or falling. Think of something as simple as spilled coffee on the floor, a cluttered work area or a raised platform with no guardrails. At uOttawa, this was the most frequently reported incident in 2012.
- Motorized vehicles. Our campus includes many parking lots and streets (including city streets) that provide access to vehicles, delivery vans and construction trucks.
- Using or working near machinery. The University houses areas equipped with industrial equipment such as saws, drills, lathes and other equipment. Many workers across Ontario have been killed or seriously injured by the equipment they were operating.
- Workplace violence. Violence can occur in many situations, such as at point-of-sale locations, working alone at night, or due to the actions of a complete stranger external to the workplace.
Take a moment to think about some common hazards that you may find in your area. Think of obvious hazards, but look for hidden or new hazards. It’s important to note that the effects of a hazard may not become apparent until days, months or even years later; therefore, as a supervisor, you need to know about the hazards today in order to prevent their effects in the future.
Module 3.2 - Dealing with hazards
RACE is an acronym that is commonly used in dealing with hazards. RACE stands for Recognize, Assess, Control and Evaluate. These steps, when done in order, can help a supervisor identify and control hazards. Supervisors are encouraged to communicate with workers, the University, and the Joint Health and Safety Committee throughout this process.
- RECOGNIZE the potential hazards in the workplace. You can:
- Watch the work as it is being done
- Talk to workers about the work and the areas where work takes place
- Participate in workplace inspections
- Look at reports on, and records of, work in your workplace
- Listen to the workers’ concerns workers about the work they’re doing
- ASSESS the hazard. You need to understand how likely it is that a worker will get hurt or be made sick by the hazard. Ask yourself:
- Do any particular legislation, standards or guidelines apply to this hazard?
- How could the worker get hurt or sick?
- How likely is the hazard to affect worker health and safety?
- How badly could the worker get hurt or sick?
You can even use existing tools such as a Job Safety Analysis.
- CONTROL the hazards (PDF, 494KB) by looking for ways to eliminate or make the job safer:
- The safest thing to do is to remove the hazard.
- If removing the hazard is not possible, look for ways to prevent workers from coming into contact with the hazard, such as minimizing the hazard or distancing the hazard from the worker.
- If none of the above solutions adequately protects the worker, workers can use personal protective equipment (PDF, 946KB), devices and other materials to help keep themselves safe. As a supervisor, you are obligated to make sure workers use this equipment where required by the OHSA or by the University.
- EVALUATE how well the hazard controls are working:
- Talk to the workers about the tasks that they do.
- Watch them do their work. Are the hazard control measures working?
- Listen to what they say and look for ways to improve health and safety.
The RACE process is one good way to get a close look at the work and the hazards associated with it. You need to always keep your eyes and ears open for hazards. If you identify a hazard, you know that you need to do something about it. Use your experience and the information and training you’ve received to help you make decisions on what to do. If you don’t know how to deal with the hazard, talk to your supervisor. You can also involve the JHSC and/or the Office of the Chief Risk Officer . Look for best practices, and seek out both internal and external resources to help solve the problem. If necessary, as a supervisor you can stop the work until you know it is safe to continue.
Module 3.3 - Handling problems as they arise
The RACE process is a way to help you deal with hazards, but it isn’t the be-all-end-all. You also need to take steps to make sure that workers understand the information you give them, follow the workplace safety procedures and use or wear their protective equipment. If you see a worker exposed to a hazard, it’s your job to talk to them about it. You have to make sure that the OHSA and any other applicable regulations and workplace safety procedures are being followed. If they are not, it is your job to enforce these procedures.
For example, if someone comes to you with a health and safety concern, or to report a close call, you need to listen to this person because these are warning signs of potentially serious future problems. You also need to inform the University of these concerns. If you can resolve the problem on your own or with the worker, you should do so. If you need help, you should ask for additional assistance from the University. The JHSC can also provide you with information. Reports from workplace inspections by the JHSCs, along with incident investigations done internally or by the Ministry of Labour, are important tools in your supervisor toolkit. When they are used effectively, they help control hazards and prevent injuries.
What if something goes wrong though? If something happens, you need to be clear on what steps to take. Let’s say someone you supervise has been injured. What steps do you think you should take?
Did any of the following steps come to mind?
- Make sure the injured person gets the necessary first aid and/or professional medical attention, either from a first-aider or from Protection Services (ext. 5411).
- Inform the University of the incident using the online Accident, Incident, or Occupational Illness reporting form.
- Secure the scene to prevent any further injuries and to help with the investigation of the incident. Do not alter the scene except to relieve human suffering, maintain an essential public transit system or prevent further damage. This is especially important in cases involving critical injuries.
- Conduct, or participate in, the investigation of the incident. The Supervisor Incident Investigation Program (PDF, 401KB) is available online.
As you can see, there are a number of things that a supervisor needs to know. It’s an important role, and if you don’t carry out the duties that are assigned to you by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, you can face serious consequences. For example, a Ministry of Labour inspector could issue a fine or order against you. You could even be charged with an offence.
This is serious work, and it may seem overwhelming at first, but remember: you are not alone.