Covenant Health Collective Agreement 2020-2024

Article 42: Joint Workplace Health, Safety And Wellness

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 Employer and Employees will take reasonable steps to eliminate reduce or minimize all workplace safety hazards.

2. The Employer shall establish a Health and Safety Committee(s) which shall be composed of representatives of the Employer and at least one (1) Employee representative of the Union and may include representatives of other Employee groups. 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 once a month as outlined in the Committee’s Terms of Reference. 

3. The number of Employer representatives on the Committee shall not exceed the number of representatives from the Union and other Employee groups. The Committee will, on an annual basis, discuss and determine the most effective means of chairing meetings. A request to establish separate committees for each work Site or grouping of work Sites shall not be unreasonably denied.

4. The Basic Rate of Pay shall be paid to an Employee representative for time spent in attendance at a meeting of this Committee.

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

6. 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.

7. The Health and Safety Committee shall also consider measures necessary to protect the security of each Employee on the Employer’s premises and may make recommendations to the Employer in that regard. 

8. The parties will 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 discussion of safety concerns, incidents, and issues.

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 in an excluded management position. 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 Vice President with accountability for Occupational Health and Wellness. A resolution meeting between the Union and the Vice President, or designate(s), shall take place within twenty-eight (28) calendar days of the issue being referred to the Vice President. The Vice President or designate(s) shall reply in writing to the Union within fourteen (14) calendar days.

   3. Should an issue not be resolved by the Vice President, the issue shall be referred to the Chief Executive Officer (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. 

   4. 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. The governing Board shall reply in writing to the Union within twenty-eight (28) calendar days of the presentation by the Union.

10. Where an Employee is assigned to work alone, the Employer shall have in place a policy and procedure to support a working alone safety plan.

11. The Employer shall incorporate a psychological health and safety plan consistent with CSA Z1003 or current CSA Standards. Aspects of this plan relevant to a particular workplace may be reviewed annually by the Health and Safety Committee.  

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

13. 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.

14.  

    1. OHS education, training and instruction shall be provided to Employees, at the Basic 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 Basic Rate of Pay. 

15. When introducing a regularly scheduled shift that begins or ends between the hours of twenty-four hundred (2400) and zero six hundred (0600), the Employer will notify the Union.