October 22, 2019
- Adoption of the agenda
The agenda was adopted with the addition of item #6 Harassment & Violence. - Update from the Sub-committee on Competent Persons
The sub-committee on competent persons began meeting regularly and has had three (3) meetings since the last full Committee meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for March 28, 2018. C. Ormsby provided a summary of the committees discussions which has centred around topics such as the need to liaise with the CHRC to ensure diversity and inclusivity in the list of competent persons, the potential need for a translator, suggestions in terms of training, developing a short survey for PHSC Co-chairs to ensure that the guidance document contains the necessary answers, and the necessity to hear from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) regarding their process when it comes to standing offers for OHS related specialists. All sub-committee members have shown interest in moving forward and have volunteered for various tasks. A GCcollab website has been set up as a safe space for all documents to be mutually accessible and all sub-committee members are inputting into this shared space. A spreadsheet is being crafted with various known competent persons and will also contain the comments provided on the requirements for the national master standing offer.
Concurrently, a guidance document will be drafted and will include the information from the SWOHS communiqué regarding competent persons that was shared in August 2017.
In terms of timeframes, August 1st 2018 is the intended date to have a list of competent persons and the accompanying guidance document, both of which will be evergreen. The list will be considered by no means exhaustive, and is suggestive dependent on the workplace environment. Further information regarding the List of Standing Offers initiated by PSPC would be useful in terms of viewing the selection criteria, as well as creating an opportunity to discuss the process and ensuring that it is consultative in nature as legislated. The end goal is to have one consolidated list and guidance materials for all of the Public Service. The Committee agreed to request PSPC to participate in the next SWOSH meeting either in person or through teleconference. - Discussion Regarding Mental Injury vs. Psychological Injury
D. St-Jean noted that bargaining agents tend to use the term mental injury most frequently. Regardless of using the terms mental injury and psychological injury interchangeably, the terms and definitions as used in the Public Service need to be interpreted in their broadest sense and need to include the concept of “harm”. - Guarding Minds at Work Survey (GM@W)
An attempt to find funds to run a pilot project to test the revised GM@W survey was unsuccessful; however, it was suggested that organizations be canvased for their interest in voluntarily administering the survey. Some departments presenting an interest or on the verge of delivering the unaltered GM@W survey have already been identified such as DND and CSC.
The committee noted that a comparison between the various versions of the modified GM@W survey should be made which would include the original survey, the amended survey for the Public Service, the latest edition of GM@W survey and the eventual final Public Service version of the survey which may incorporate parts of the most recent edition. It was noted that the modified version for the Public Service would need to be reviewed for any unconscious biases.
The committee agreed to reform the original JEEC/SWOSH sub-committee to take on the task of comparing the changes to the GM@W survey, to canvass departmental interest in the survey and to report back to SWOHS. - Developing a presentation about SWOHS
The Committee is in the process of developing a presentation in an effort to describe the Committee’s role and responsibilities to all interested departments and committees. D. St-Jean provided the initial draft of the presentation which is aimed to a readership that is not already familiar with the Committee’s purpose and activities. At this time, the Committee is invited to provide amendments and feedback. Proposed venues for promoting the presentation included developing a webinar once the final version of the presentation is adopted, arranging to have a copy on the NJC website, and making use of the ISED Canadian Innovation Centre for Mental Health for broadcasting of the presentation and info sessions. As a possible option, the Canada School of Public Service could be contacted to run the presentation during Health and Safety Week from May 6-12, 2018. It was also suggested that the presentation be shared for informational purposes with the NJC Executive Committee upon completion and in line with the June Executive Committee meeting. - Harassment & Violence
Through Bill C-65, an Act to amend, among other things, the Canada Labour Code (harassment and violence) has been tabled but sections 20.4 to 20.8 will not change the way they impact the work of the committees. It was noted that departments could benefit from knowledge and guidance on these sections. The importance of involvement prompted the committee to look towards ESDC who already has a committee reviewing part 20 of the Code. In order to participate in the consultation process with ESDC, a first step would be to contact Hilary Flett (Health Canada) who is currently monitoring the Bill and would have knowledge of the consultation process and how the Committee could provide input. - Asbestos (standing item)
N/A - Legionella
D. St-Jean made reference to an article in the Globe & Mail which discusses technology developed by an Ottawa startup company called Spartan Bioscience Inc. to test legionella bacteria levels in buildings. The test known as quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) provides immediate results as opposed to the current testing method which generates results only after several weeks. While the company recommends weekly testing of government buildings, it was noted that an expert in the field of legionella could be contacted to confirm whether weekly testing is supported by science. The committee is also interested in the experience and outcome of the PSPC’s engagement in a pilot project to test for legionella using the new technology. An invitation will be extended to PSPC to discuss their experience since the Committee is interested in following the best standard and it is felt that consultation and participation should be highlighted.
An ESDC guide on asbestos management released in January 2018 was discussed and will be circulated. The committee agreed that a communiqué based on the existing asbestos communiqué be used as an example of a communiqué for legionella. SWOSH legionella communiqué should be prepared and circulated prior to air-conditioning season. - Round table
N/A - Next Meeting
- May 17 2018
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.