The Fundamentals - Documented Best Practices for Health and Productivity

Promising Practices

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

HRSDC has established a National Occupational Health and Safety Office comprising 13 regional and national occupational health and safety (OHS) advisors, with well-defined roles and responsibilities. Following are some of the milestones of this office:

Revised the departmental OHS policy that outlines the department's overarching commitment to:

• Promote a healthy and safe workplace for all employees;
• Prevent and reduce occupational injuries, incidents and illnesses; and
• Prevent violence in the workplace.

Developed a departmental OHS Program that:

• Introduces a formal structure;
• Focuses on prevention;
• Provides tools, information and support; and
• Established an OHS intranet site.

The departmental OHS training program consists of several modules:

• Module I (Overview and Duties), the foundation of the OHS Program, formalizes an OHS structure and assigns duties to better manage OHS matters.
• Module II (Hazard Prevention Program) provides the guidance and tools to identify, assess and implement measures to eliminate or reduce hazards.
• Module III (Integrated Ergonomics Program) outlines the department's approach to providing ergonomic services through preventive measures and is a key measure for addressing ergonomic-related hazards.
• Module IV (Workplace Violence Prevention Policy) outlines the department's policy for preventing violence in the workplace.
• Module V (Training and Awareness) identifies the OHS training and awareness requirements for employees, managers, committee members and representatives and establishes key delivery methods and tracking measures.
• Module VI (Reporting and Monitoring) outlines key OHS recording and reporting requirements, along with tools to monitor and evaluate elements of the OHS Program.