City of Kingston Information Report to Administrative Policies Committee Report Number AP

Transcription

1 To: From: Resource Staff: City of Kingston Information Report to Administrative Policies Committee Report Number AP Date of Meeting: May 12, 216 Subject: Chair and Members of Administrative Policies Committee Cynthia Beach, Commissioner, Corporate & Strategic Initiatives Deanne Roberge, Manager, Labour Relations & Health & Safety 215 Workplace Health and Safety Report Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide information on corporate health and safety performance and activities in 215 and outline key initiatives to improve health and safety performance in 216. In 28, Council signed the Community Workplace Health and Safety Charter, a commitment to effectively manage workplace health, safety and wellness. Council further directed staff to prepare a health and safety annual report to the Administrative Policy Committee beginning in 29 to demonstrate the City s commitment to health and safety. Health and Safety in the workplace is a key corporate responsibility as identified in the Corporate Strategic Plan. A number of activities took place in 215 to continue to develop a corporate health and safety culture. Through leadership commitment, training, communication, and measuring performance, the Corporation will be successful in achieving further reductions in workplace accidents and injuries. Over the last five years, the City of Kingston has endeavoured to build foundational systems and processes to ensure the City is in compliance with the Ministry of Labour health and safety workplace standards and build a health and safety culture. In 216, focus will continue on identifying high risk areas and developing standard operating procedures to ensure staff are working safely in order to decrease workplace accidents or injuries. Recommendation: This report is for information purposes only.

2 Information Report to Administrative Policies Committee Report Number: AP May 12, 216 Page 2 of 4 Authorizing Signatures: Cynthia Beach, Commissioner, Corporate and Strategic Initiatives Gerard Hunt, Chief Administrative Officer Consultation with the following Members of the Corporate Management Team: Lanie Hurdle, Community Services Denis Leger, Transportation, Facilities & Emergency Services Jim Keech, President and CEO, Utilities Kingston Desiree Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer & City Treasurer

3 Information Report to Administrative Policies Committee Report Number: AP May 12, 216 Page 3 of 4 Options/Discussion: The health, safety, and wellness of City employees is the foundation to building a successful organization as a safe and healthy work culture is a productive work culture that is focused on serving the citizens of Kingston. The Corporation strives to be a model for all employees and citizens with respect to health, safety, and wellness. The number of WSIB claims decreased by 38% from 89 in 214 to 55 in 215. There was a decrease in claims achieved at Rideaucrest and Transportation Services Departments. The number of lost time claims decreased by 54% from 26 in 214 to 12 in 215, a decrease achieved at Rideaucrest. The number of lost time days decreased by 55% from 78 in 214 to 35 in 215, a decrease achieved at Rideaucrest and Public Works Departments. A number of action plans were implemented in 215 to improve the health and safety culture. A major initiative was the completion of a risk assessment at Rideaucrest, which identified potential hazards in the workplace, the development of standard operating procedures, and training for all employees which resulted in the decrease of accidents and lost time days as noted above. Other action plans included the development of e-learning modules, and strategies approved by CMT in health, safety and wellness. Wellness initiatives included employee seminars on mental health, smoking cessation clinics, baseline cardiovascular health assessments, influenza clinics, LunchFit Challenge and wellness fairs. Working with Queen s University, we initiated hand hygiene for Rideaucrest and improving food environment at Transit. Upon the conclusion of these programs, increased awareness had improved amongst the participants. Health, safety and wellness initiatives will continue to focus on developing a strong corporate health and safety culture through a number of strategies that emphasizes prevention of accidents and illnesses in the workplace, as well as complying with new legislative regulations. Wellness initiatives will continue to focus on mental health and cardiovascular health. These strategies include the development of standard operating procedures and training programs for departments that are most at risk. Due diligence health and safety training for leaders will continue with particular emphasis on leadership responsibilities necessary to drive a proactive high performance health and safety culture. This will include training for all leaders in the new Occupational Health and Safety Act - Bill Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act, which will come in to effect on September 8, 216, as well as the new WSIB legislation to support first responders with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Existing Policy/By Law: Not applicable.

4 Information Report to Administrative Policies Committee Report Number: AP May 12, 216 Page 4 of 4 Notice Provisions: No notice provisions are required with this report. Accessibility Considerations: Not applicable. Financial Considerations: WSIB costs totalled $94,633 in 215, an increase of $85, in costs in Fiscal Services from 214. Contacts: Deanne Roberge, Manager, Labour Relations and Health & Safety, , ext Other City of Kingston Staff Consulted: John Miller, Labour Relations and Health and Safety Officer Deborah Bagg, Senior Health and Wellness Specialist Occupational Health Nurse Debbie Battersby, Disability Management Administrator Exhibits Attached: Exhibit A Health and Safety Statistics Exhibit B WSIB Claims by Cause Accident Definitions Exhibit C 216 Goals and Strategies

5 Health and Safety Statistics Exhibit A: AP Total WSIB Claims: (Medical Aid and Lost Time) WSIB Claims WSIB Claims Lost Time: Lost Time Claims

6 Health and Safety Statistics Exhibit A: AP WSIB Claims Lost Time Days: Lost Time Days WSIB Claims Medical Aid: Medical Aid Claims 2

7 Health and Safety Statistics Exhibit A: AP Community Services WSIB Claims By Area: Transportation, Facilities & Emergency Services Public Works Services Corporate & Strategic Initiatives Finance, Technology & Administration 6 5 Accidents by Cause: Overexertion Slips/Falls Other Struck/Caught Exposure MVA Repetition Assault 4

8 Health and Safety Statistics Exhibit A: AP Total WSIB Costs: $1,4, $1,2, $1,, $8, $1,268,67 $888,356 $1,22,32 $1,7,946 $86,294 $94,633 $6, WSIB Costs $4, $2, $

9 Exhibit B: AP WSIB Claims by Cause Accident Definitions TYPE OF ACCIDENT/INJURY Overexertion Person puts excessive strain on part of the body Lifting, back, ankle, shoulder Slips and Falls Person loses balance slips, trips, and possibly falls Falls on same level, or from height (ladder, stairs) Struck/Contact Person struck by some object in motion Person strikes a stationary object Caught, pinched, or crushed between objects Caught on protruding object Assault/Violence Person subjected to physical action by another Punch, kick, bite, scratch Repetition/Ergonomics Develops over a period of time due to the repetitive nature of the task Mopping, keyboarding Exposure Exposed to harmful condition/substance Toxic material, mould, heat, cold, sun, burns Infectious materials, disease, body fluids Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Employees involved in a motor vehicle accident during the course of work activities Medical/Not Covered in Other Categories For example, Norovirus

10 Health, Safety and Wellness 216 Goals and Strategies Exhibit C: AP GOALS 1. Continue Building Capability of Frontline Leaders to Drive Proactive Health and Safety Behaviours in the Workplace Strategies Provide training sessions in Workplace Inspections and Accident Investigations for all Joint Health and Safety members and Supervisors Ensure compliance with new legislation such as Noise Control, reg. 381 and Sexual Harassment, Bill 132. Continue to promote Safety initiatives including Safety days and TRIP awards Provide support to high risk departments and leaders to improve health and safety performance and culture 2. Develop Systems to Mitigate Risks and Ensure Compliance Strategies Complete risk assessments in 2 departments, implement action plans to mitigate risk to personal health and train employees on standard operating procedures Continue to train all summer students in health and safety awareness Continue to track and monitor accident/near misses, across all departments and implement action plans for improvement Continue health and safety compliance audits 3. Implement Wellness Initiatives to Enable Employees to Improve their Health and Wellbeing Strategies Communicate wellness plan and strategies to improve employee wellness in the Corporation Monitor and track high risk illness such as mental health and cardiovascular to understand severity and develop targeted employee wellness sessions to mitigate future absences Initiate wellness sessions for all departments on topics such as Managing Stress and Building Resiliency, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) awareness, exercise and stretching programs, cardiovascular screening, and nutrition hygiene