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Health and Safety
Letter of Introduction for the New Regional Health and Safety Position in adobe (*.pdf) or rich text (*.rtf) format |
P.S.A.C. Prairie Region Health & Safety Committee Report
To the
P.S.A.C. Prairie Region Triennial Convention
From 13-15 June 2008
At the Fairmont Hotel
In Winnipeg, Manitoba
This Health & Safety Committee was originally established after the 2005 P.S.A.C. Prairie Region Triennial Convention, in the fall 2005, and consisted of Brother Satinder Bains, Sisters Niru Channan, and Barb Hall, with Sister Gwen Jackson joining the Committee in fall 2007.
In the fall 2005, the Committee established five priorities that they wish to work on or develop during their three year term of office, and these can be found on the PSAC website.
Second, the Committee was tasked with the Prairie Region Health Conference, held at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg on the 21, 22 and 23 April 2006, with 53 delegates attending the Conference. The key note speaker was Dr. Leslie Quesnel who spoke on “Understanding Stress and Stress Related Disorder”. As well, the delegates broke out into various workshops and there were various presentations. For further information on the conference, please go the PSAC website.
Third, the P.S.A.C. National Health & Safety Conference held at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel in Ottawa on 19, 20 and 21 January 2007, and approximately 50+ Prairie Region delegates at this conference. The theme of the conference was “Regulation Works”. Again, the delegates broke out into various workshops and there were various presentations, for further information please on the conference, please go to the PSAC website.
At the National Conference, two priorities that the Prairie Region delegates established for the Prairie Region was a confidential Health & Safety Activist communication network across the Prairie Region, and second a better Health & Safety website information for the Prairie Region.
With Bruce Campbell becoming the P.S.A.C. Health & Safety Representative for the Prairie Region, around the time of this conference, this was acted on immediately. As per Bruce, there are now 100 activists on the Prairie Region Activist e-mail list. If you wish to get your name on this e-mail list, contact Bruce at the P.S.A.C. Regional Office in Winnipeg or e-mail Bruce at campbeb@psac-afpc.com or telephone 204-947-1601 or toll free at 1-866-393-7722.
Four, in the fall 2007, the Committee established the Terms of Reference for the P.S.A.C. Prairie Regional Council – Health & Safety Committee and these can be found on the P.S.A.C. website.
The Committee also discussed the next Prairie Region Health & Safety Conference, and it is tentative scheduled for Calgary in January or February 2009, but the rest of the planning will be dealt with by the new Prairie Region Health & Safety Committee that will be established in the fall 2008.
The Committee as a whole would like to say thank you to all those members that participated or assisted this committee in any way, you know who you are, and we would could not have done all this without you assistance.
Be healthy and work safely.
In Solidarity,
Brother Satinder, Sisters Niru, Gwen and Barb
April 23, 2008
Day of Mourning is Monday, April 28th
April 28th, the Day of Mourning, must not only be the day of recognition of the grim facts that reflect the reality of the total dead and injured in Canadian workplaces but also of the fact that these numbers are made up of real people like you and your loved ones. That cold reality comes to mind especially on this day of remembrance. April 28th is not only a day of remembrance; it is a call to action. It is a day to recognize and dedicate ourselves to pursuing changes that will result in healthy and safe workplaces for all Public Service Alliance of Canada Members and all workers in Canada.
The Definition of Health and Safety as endorsed by the International Labour Organization and PSAC:
“The prevention and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being
The prevention of ill-health among workers caused by their working conditions.
The protection of workers from factors adverse to their health in their employment, and
The placing and maintaining of workers in occupational environments adapted to their individual and psychological conditions.”
Many Governments in Canada have been pushing for deregulation, smart regulation and other catch phrases and clichés. This direction is often backed by Trade arguments and other corporate imperatives. In promoting this course of action, Health and Safety as well as environmental concerns clearly take a back seat to corporate profits. We must fight back.
The Union movement and particularly the Health and Safety and Environmental activists believe in and endorse the precautionary approach. It's the common sense idea behind many adages: "Be careful." "Better safe than sorry." "Look before you leap." "First do no harm." Using this approach, new drugs and chemicals must require testing to proof they are safe before introduction into the workplace. The European Union has taken positive steps to introduce this approach in many aspects of Workplace Health and Safety, because it is the right thing to do. The governments of Canada and the United States continue to refuse to recognize the benefits and the need for this approach.
I encourage everyone to come out to the local Day of Mourning Observances in your community. Please come out and bring members from your local, neighbours, and friends. You can contact your Federation of Labour, District Labour Council or your Public Service Alliance of Canada Office for information on events taking place in your area.
I look forward to continuing working with all our Union Sisters and Brothers in the Prairies. Our task will not be complete until we know that every worker is provided with a healthy and safe workplace.
Day of Mourning Statement / Notes Day of Mourning /
Resource Information /Right to Refuse
April 1, 2008
Treasury Board NJC Occupational Health and Safety Directive has been updated effective today.
This has been accomplished through the cooperative effort of the PSAC National Health and Safety Officers working the employer and other interested parties. These form part of the National Joint Council Agreement and thereby part of the Collective Agreement for those under this umbrella. For anyone not covered by the NJC the update is still good general information on the state of Health and Safety Initiatives. This follows along the guidelines of the Federal Legislation under the Canada Labour Code Part II.
While it is not new, I would like to call your attention to the following rights of the Joint Committee and Policy Committee.
"18.6 Committee Powers
18.6.1 Either party of a committee may request from an employer any information that the committee considers necessary to identify existing or potential hazards with respect to materials, processes, equipment or activities.
18.6.2 Either party of a committee shall have full access to all government and employer reports, studies and tests relating to the health and safety of employees, or to the parts of those reports, studies and tests that relate to the health and safety of employees, but shall not have access to the medical records of any person, except with the person's written consent."
Remember April 28th is the "Day of Mourning".
IN SOLIDARITY
Bruce Campbell
March 25, 2008
Federal "Corporate Killing" Bill
This is an article from the Canadian Labour Congress regarding the first ever conviction under the Federal "Corporate Killing" Bill. The details and opinion of labour on the issue are quite clear. The intent of the Bill was to send a clear message regarding the extent of Corporate responsibility when they fail to protect workers. It seems such a minor fine sends the opposite message.
Justice Denied Courts maintain status quo with weak ruling on corporate killing
The Canadian Press article is including for further information.
The Prairies Health and Safety Portfolio continues to evolve. I facilitated two Joint one day sessions in Edmonton in February. I have now facilitated weekend training in all five of the Prairie Region PSAC Offices. Over the coming months I will be working with the Prairie Region Council Health and Safety Committee towards having a Prairie Region Health and Safety Conference. The timing and other factors are still to be decided.
Just a reminder that April 28th the international "Day of Mourning" is coming up shortly.
I hope that the attached pdf. file regarding ergonomics is useful in providing some general information.
IN SOLIDARITY
Bruce Campbell
January 2008 - Health and Safety Updates &
Interesting Information from Bruce Campbell
Ergonomic Regulations:
Since the changes to the Canada Labour Code, we have been waiting for the introduction of the supporting Ergonomic Regulations. At this time there will not be a separate specific regulation developed.
The Hazard Prevention Program Regulation has been amended in order to incorporate recognition of Ergonomic Hazards as well as the requirements for dealing with Ergonomic Hazards. A copy of the release is attached for your information with the changes bolded.
in adobe (*.pdf) or rich text (*.rtf) format
Violence Regulation:
Further to my last notice; the attached Liaison Bulletin from HRSDC, Labour Program; provides an update on the Violence Regulation.
in adobe (*.pdf) or rich text (*.rtf) format
Please distribute the attached notices as you feel is appropriate. Thank you for your support. I look forward to your continuing support in assisting me in my position as the Prairie Region, Regional Representative Health and Safety.
In Solidarity,
Bruce Campbell
Health and Safety Reports |
Health and Safety Newsletter in adobe (*.pdf) or rich text (*.rtf) format |
Please click here to see an update from the website of the Canada Human Rights Commission regarding the status of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. This is very much a developing field in Health and Safety as well as Human Rights. |
This has been long anticipated since the changes to the Canada Labour Code Part II. The exact coming in to force dates are not known at this time. However, this is useful information for all Health and Safety Activists to have available |
Health and Safety Committee Minutes from October 2007 in adobe (*.pdf) or rich text (*.rtf) format |
2006 Prairie Region Health & Safety Conference Report adobe (*.pdf) or rich text (*.rtf) format |
See pictures of the Prairie Region Caucus at the 2007 PSAC National Health & Safety Conference |
Prairie Region Council Health & Safety Committee Members
Brother Satinder Bains Southern Saskatchewan Rep Sister Barb Hall Manitoba Rep Sister Gwen Jackson Southern Alberta Rep Health & Safety Regional Representative
Suite 460 - 175 Hargrave Street
PSAC Winnipeg Regional Office
Winnipeg MB R3C 3R8
Phone: (204) 947-1601 / Toll-Free: 1-866-393-7722
Fax: (204) 943-0652
Email: campbeb@psac-afpc.com
Proud Member Canadian Union of Labour Employees
PSAC National Health and Safety Webpage
For more information on Health and Safety Principles and the National PSAC Health and Safety Program.