Lethbridge College is committed to providing its employees a place of work that is generally free from recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury.  The following general precautions are required of the employee(s):

Overall Operation

1. Value your life before personal possessions.
2. Cooperate with your fellow employees.  Show them the safe way to perform work.
3. Do your work safely.  Do not take chances which could result in personal injury.
4. Familiarize yourself with the duties and hazards of your job.  If you have any questions, discuss them with your supervisor.
5. Ignorance is no excuse for an accident.
6. If you have questions about how to do your job, you should ask your supervisor.
7. Do not distract the attention of fellow employees while working, or operating any equipment.
8. Read all labels and directions on containers of chemicals before opening for use.
9. Use the correct tools or equipment when performing any job.
10. All tools and equipment shall be visually inspected before use.
11. Chairs, boxes and other similar unstable devices shall not be used as working platforms.
12. Be alert for Lift Truck or equipment movement before entering the maintenance & repair shop and mechanic & carpentry labs.
13. Do not attempt to lift or carry anything too heavy or bulky to be handled safely by one person.  Use lifting devices provided, if available, or get help.  Know how much you can lift safely.
14. Lift Trucks and other devices for handling heavy loads should be used wherever possible to reduce to a minimum the manual handling of materials.
15. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed in the maintenance and repair shop.

General

1. Lethbridge College shall provide adequate supervision and take all measures necessary to ensure that the work is performed in accordance with the Occupational and Health Act and other relevant legislation.  This will include:
   1. Health & Safety of the employees & students, and safety and fire protection in the work areas.
   2. LC will provide training to employees so that employees obtain the proper knowledge and skills to properly perform their duties assigned and to insure compliance with all safety rules.
   3. Safety related to all equipment installed by the College.
   4. Providing employees with hard hats, face shields, goggles, gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, safety shoes and all other items that are necessary to meet safety regulations pertaining to the work performed.
   5. Installation of local exhaust-type ventilating systems, if necessary, to remove smoke and fumes in the work area to ensure that conditions are maintained within the safety limits.
   6. Supply and provide proper training on usage of all necessary safety and fire protection equipment (eg. Safety harnesses, fire extinguishers).
   7. LC will maintain a log and summary of all occupational illness, fatalities and any workplace injury that results in the loss of a work day, work restrictions, transfer to other work, loss of consciousness or incident which requires medical treatment.  The entry will be made within six days of the injury on the attached form.  Where applicable, the records will be posted and made available to employees.
   8. An Injury Report form will be completed immediately by LC and submitted to Alberta Workers Compensation Board or other appropriate insuring authority.

General Orientation

It is the responsibility of LC to provide a general overview and orientation to individuals arriving at LC’s work sites (including the Maintenance & Repair Shops Laboratories):

1. Emergency response procedures;
2. Health & Safety goals and expectations;
3. Miscellaneous site rules and regulations;
4. Current and anticipated special hazards.

General
It is the responsibility of every employee to participate in and accept personal responsibility for health and safety specific to his/her work place.

Employees are expected to take the initiative to create and maintain a safe work environment. This includes: not performing jobs without proper training especially relating to operating equipment; and ensuring your workstation is suited to you and your job (ergonomics).

All employees should know where the areas First Aid kit and Health Services is located.  It is also expected that employees need to be familiar with the chemicals used in their daily work, their first aid treatment and handling in the event of a chemical incident.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY EMPLOYEE TO REPORT:

• Unsafe conditions to his or her supervisor, or the responsible administrator in the area;
• Possible hazards and question potential problems.

It is also the Right and Responsibility of every employee to refuse work that he/she believes to be unsafe, and the responsibility to make or assist in making the work safe.

Employees are also expected to participate in department health and safety meetings.

A clean orderly workplace is a safer workplace. Not keeping the workplace clean and orderly is hazardous. It encourages poor handling and storing practices which result in damages. Good housekeeping makes your job easier and more pleasant. The last 15 to 30 minutes of each workday should be used for housekeeping.

The rule is that a job is not done until the tidying up has been done. Common areas should be cleaned up by all personnel when necessary.

• All areas must be kept neat and orderly at all times. Each employee is responsible for the cleanliness of the area in which they work and for all tools and equipment used. Keep your work place free of clutter.
• Spills and breakage are to be cleaned up immediately.
• All handling equipment is to be kept clean and freshly painted as appropriate. Spaces around machines and equipment should be kept clear and clean at all times to permit free movement.
• Floors should be kept clean and clear to prevent slipping.
• Lighting fixtures are to be checked regularly to permit clear vision. Any bad florescent tubes or lights are to be replaced immediately.
• Any outside storage, where applicable, is to be kept neat and orderly.

FIRE PREVENTION

• All employees must know where the fire extinguishers and fire fighting aids are located, and how to properly use them.
• Fire extinguishers and First Aid Stations should be clearly marked with signs.
• Never block access to Exits, fire extinguishers or electric switches and panels.
• Do not block or stack material against doors, which would prevent them from operating properly in event of a fire.
• Do not use flammable material near electrical panels, switches, lift trucks or any electrical equipment.
• Make sure all equipment is properly grounded where needed.
• Fire fighting equipment must be inspected regularly.
• Report to your supervisor any defect in electrical, fire prevention or material handling equipment.
• NO flammable materials are to be placed around an exit door way.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In the event of an emergency such as a fire situation within an area, the following procedures should take place:

• Sound the Alarm. The Fire Department should be notified at once.
• Grab the nearest suitable fire extinguisher and attack the blaze if you can do so safely.
• Keep between the fire and means of exit to outdoors.
• Once the fire is out, back away from the area so you won’t be trapped if there is a re-flash. Keep all personnel away.
• Determine the cause if you can. Report it to your supervisor at once.

All injuries must be reported to your supervisor as soon as possible.

• Report unsafe conditions or practices immediately.
• An employee injured on the job may be given First Aid. If the injury is serious, notify your supervisor immediately.
• Always be on the “Safe Side”. If in doubt as to the seriousness of any injury, contact your supervisor for instructions.
• If burned by chemicals, acids wash with water immediately (if appropriate) to prevent quick deep burns. Flush the burn generously. Notify your supervisor immediately.

• Hand trucks should be properly loaded with the weight evenly distributed and the load protected against shifting, or falling while being moved.
• The proper type of gloves shall be worn when working with any chemicals and materials with rough surfaces.
• Pallets can cause accidents if not properly handled or stored. Pallets not in use should never be left standing on edge, or leaning against a column or other support. Do not use damaged pallets. If beyond repair, dispose of immediately. Remove all protruding nails in pallets kept for inventory use.

LIFT TRUCK SAFETY

• Only properly trained and authorized drivers can operate lift trucks.
• Before starting work, check the condition of the lift truck. Immediately report any obvious defects or required repairs. Adjustments or repairs should be made only by authorized personnel.

• Equipment should be regularly inspected in accordance with a schedule. Postponement or skipping inspections is dangerous.
• Necessary repairs should be made as soon as possible. If an inspection discloses a hazardous condition of any equipment, notify your supervisor immediately.
• All lighting should be inspected for proper operating conditions.
• All tools must be kept in proper working condition. Check for proper grounds on electrical connections. Hand tools should be inspected frequently and those not in good condition should be reported. Return all tools to their proper storage when a job is completed.
• Warning tags must be placed on circuit breakers of all machinery or equipment being repaired or otherwise worked on. Only your supervisor may remove warning tags.

The mandate of the Health and Safety Committee is to ensure the health and safety of all college staff, students, and the general public using our facilities.  In particular, the responsibilities of the Committee are:

• Promote health and safety on campus;
• Identify current and potential health, safety and fire hazard situations through safety inspections of buildings on-campus and off-campus, within a pre-determined schedule and recommend remedial action;
• Review all matters pertaining to fire protection, safety and other hazardous conditions which are beyond the control of individual employees, students, and the general public, including accidents and safety complaints investigations and recommend action steps to prevent future occurrence and provide safe work environment and practices;
• Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and related regulations including reviewing all health and safety statistics and any WCB claims and records;
• Discuss matters of safety related to the Committee from other meetings or persons;
• Review and circulate minutes of meetings to Management.