Bonnyville Health Centre Collective Agreement 2020-2024

Article 7: Occupational Health and Safety

1. The parties to this Collective Agreement will co-operate to the fullest extent in the matter of occupational health, safety and accident prevention. The Employer agrees to provide safety equipment when required and to install devices where necessary.
2. An Occupational Health and Safety Committee will be established at the worksite.  The Union will have the right to designate two (2) members of the bargaining unit as members of this Committee.  This Committee may include representatives from other Employee groups.  The number of Employer representatives on the Committee shall not exceed the number of representatives from the Union and other Employee groups.
3. The applicable rate of pay will be paid to such Employee for time spent in attendance at a meeting of this Committee.
4. The Committee shall meet at least quarterly at a mutually acceptable hour and date.  Either Co-Chair may call a special meeting of this Committee to deal with urgent matters. The Employee Co-chair shall be selected by the Employee members of the committee. Co-chairs shall alternate chairing of meetings.  The terms of reference to the Committee shall be agreed upon by the Union, Employer, and other Employee groups. Members of the Committee may request the attendance of subject matter experts to assist with addressing issues before the Committee and these requests shall not be unreasonably denied.
5. The Employer will co-operate with the Committee by providing:
   1. materials and equipment necessary to carry out its functions in accordance with its terms of reference;
   2. data pertaining to workplace health and safety conditions;
   3. access to information pertaining to accidents, incidents or occupational diseases that occur at the worksite;
   4. access to the worksite to conduct safety inspections that shall not be unreasonably denied.
6. The parties will provide available relevant information to all applicable parties at least five (5) days prior to any discussions or meetings to ensure meaningful discussion of safety concerns, incidents, and issues. Relevant information that is being referred to in this article may include, but is not limited to:
   
   - Incident reports,
   - Employer policies and procedures,
   - Assessment reports (e.g. hygiene, environmental, etc.)
   - OHS Officer reports
    
7. The Committee shall assist the Employer:
   1. by identifying situations which may be unhealthy or unsafe in respect of the work site and make appropriate recommendations;
   2. in the development and promotion of measures to protect the safety, security and health of Employees in the work site and to check the effectiveness of such measures.
8. 1. If an issue arises regarding occupational health or safety, the Employee shall first seek to resolve the issue through discussion with their Manager. If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, it may then be forwarded, in writing, to the Committee.
   2. Should an issue not be resolved by the Committee; the issue shall be referred to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or designate.  A resolution meeting between the Union and the CEO or designate shall take place within twenty-eight (28) calendar days of the issue being referred to the CEO.  The CEO or designate shall reply in writing to the Union within fourteen (14) calendar days.
   3. Should the issue remain unresolved following the CEO’s written response, the Union may request and shall have the right to present its recommendation(s) to the governing Board. A resolution meeting shall be held as soon as reasonably possible. The governing Board shall reply in writing to the Union within twenty-eight (28) calendar days of the presentation by the Union.
9. Where the Employer requires that the Employee receive specific immunization and titre, as a result of or related to their work, it shall be provided at no cost.
10. An Employee’s rights shall be respected in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
11. Employer policies, plans and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety shall be reviewed by the Committee at the Committee’s discretion.
12. The Employer shall have a workplace abuse and harassment policy.  Aspects of this policy may be reviewed annually by the Committee.  
13. The Employer shall implement a psychological health and safety plan consistent with the current CSA psychological health and safety standard in the workplace. The Union understands that the Employer needs a significant amount of time to develop and implement the plan. Aspects of this plan relevant to a particular workplace may be reviewed annually by the Committee.
14. 1. OHS education, training and instruction shall be provided to Employees, at the applicable rate of pay, to fulfill the requirements for training, instruction or education set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations or Code.
    2. The Employer shall provide training at no cost to all Employees on the Committee to assist them in performing their duties on the Committee. Such training shall be provided at the Employee’s applicable rate of pay.