East Central Ambulance Association Collective Agreement 2025 - 2028

Article 29: Occupational Health Safety & Wellness

1.  

   1. The parties to this Collective Agreement will cooperate to the fullest extent in the matter of occupational health, safety and accident prevention. Required safety equipment and devices will be provided where necessary by the Employer. The Employee representative of the Union may request the attendance of guest(s) at a Health and Safety Committee meeting(s), and this shall not be unreasonably denied. This Committee shall meet at least quarterly, or upon receiving written notification of an unresolved issue.

   2. The applicable rate of pay shall be paid to an Employee representative for time spent in attendance at a meeting of this Committee. 

2. Employer policies, plans and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety shall be reviewed annually by the Committee.

3. The Committee shall select two (2) co-chairs, an Employer co-chair and an Employee co-chair, for the committee.  The Employee co-chair shall be selected by the Employee members of the committee.  Co-chairs shall alternate chairing of the meetings. A request to establish additional committees for each worksite or grouping of work sites shall not be unreasonably denied where access to an existing committee(s) does not exist. 

4. An Occupational Health and Safety Committee shall be established within one (1) month of the signing of the Collective Agreement. HSAA shall provide the names of up to three (3) Employees, and ECAA shall provide the names of up to three (3) appointed representatives to sit on the Occupational Health and Safety Committee. 

5.  

   1. The function of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee is to examine    and make recommendations regarding Occupational Health and Safety matters. A Terms of Reference for the committee shall be developed with the participation and agreement of the Union. 

   2. The Employer shall notify the Committee, as soon as reasonably possible, of all serious incidents, and dangerous work refusals. The Committee shall participate in all investigations into serious incidents, potentially serious incidents, and dangerous work refusals.

   3. The Employer shall notify the Committee, as soon as reasonably possible, of an incident when an Employee has experienced violence. Including but not limited to physical, sexual, verbal, or psychological in the workplace. Committee participation in an investigation shall not be unreasonably denied.

6.  

   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, Regulation 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. 

7.  

   1. The Employer shall implement a psychological health and safety plan consistent with the current CSA Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Standard. Aspects of this plan relevant to a particular workplace may be reviewed annually by the Health and Safety Committee.

   2. Any worksite assessments related to psychological safety shall be shared with the Committee in a timely manner. A request to conduct a psychological health and safety assessment (e.g., Guarding Minds at Work) for a specific work area/unit/program shall not be unreasonably denied or delayed.  

8. 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. Reasonable time shall be paid at the applicable rate of pay to complete the specific immunization or titre. Should a member be required to travel to a location other than their worksite to complete the immunization or titre, the member will be paid as per Article 30: Duty-Incurred Expenses.

9.  

   1. If an issue arises regarding occupational health or safety, the Employee or Union shall first seek to resolve the issue through discussion with the applicable immediate supervisor. If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, within two (2) days, it may then be forwarded to an excluded management position. If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily within two (2) days, it may then be forwarded, in writing, to the committee.

   2. Should an issue not be resolved by the Committee, it may then be forwarded to the governing Board, and a resolution meeting shall take place within twenty-eight (28) calendar days. The Board shall reply in writing to the union within fourteen (14) calendar days.

   3. Should the issue remain unresolved following the Board’s written response, the Union may request and shall have the right to present its recommendation(s) to the governing Board. The governing Board shall reply in writing to the union within twenty-eight (28) calendar days of the presentation by the union.

10. The Committee shall consider such matters as occupational health and safety including responsibility for communication and education as required. The Union may make recommendations to the Employer in that regard.

11. The Employer shall not unreasonably deny Employee representatives of the Health and Safety Committee access to the workplace to conduct safety inspections.

12. The parties shall make every reasonable effort to provide available relevant information to all participating parties at least five (5) days prior to any discussions or meetings to ensure meaningful discussions of safety concerns, incidents, and issues.

13. The Employer shall endeavor to ensure all Ambulances are fitted with a Power Cot and Power Load System contingent on funding and availability of the equipment and installation.  The Employer shall provide all current and all new Employees with introductory training and additional training on an annual basis.  This training will include other safe patient handling techniques as identified.