Bethany Care Society Collective Agreement 2020-2024

Article 36: Occupational Health & Safety

1. The Union, the Employer and all Employees are committed to supporting and promoting a healthy and safe working and living environment in the Centre for Employees and residents. To support this commitment an Occupational Health & Safety Committee shall remain operational at the Centre.
2. The terms of reference of the Occupational Health & Safety Committee shall be agreed upon by the Union, Employer, and other Employee groups.  The Committee members may request the attendance of guest(s) at an Occupational Health and Safety Committee meeting(s), and this shall not be unreasonably denied.
3. This Committee shall be composed of representatives of Management,
   a representative of the HSAA and representatives of other Employee groups. This Committee shall meet as required by the Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations or more frequently as determined by this Committee.
   
   Should there be an issue requiring the immediate attention of the Committee, the Employee or the Employer co-chair shall call a special meeting of the Committee.
4. This Committee shall consider such matters as occupational health and safety as well as consider measures necessary to ensure the security of each Employee on the premises at the Centre and may make recommendations in that regard. Should the recommendations not be implemented, or adequate steps taken towards implementation within two (2) months from the date the recommendation is made the Union Representative may direct that the item be referred to the Administrator of the Employer forthwith. A written reply will be given within fifteen (15) days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays & Named Holidays) of the request of the required information from the Committee.  Requests for extension of timelines will not be unreasonably denied.
   
   This Committee will function in accordance with the Regulations published pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and such other procedural rules as may be established by this Committee.
5. An Employee shall suffer no loss of regular earnings (i.e. basic rate of pay) for time spent carrying out the responsibilities of an Occupational Health & Safety Committee member.
6. The Joint Health and Safety Committee shall consider measures necessary to protect the psychological safety, health and wellness and physical safety of Employees at the workplace or due to issues arising from the workplace.
7. Where the Employer requires the Employee to receive specific immunization and titre, as a result of or related to the Employee’s work, it shall be provided at no cost.
8. The Employer shall not unreasonably deny Employee representatives of the Health and Safety Committee(s) access to the workplace to conduct safety inspections.