July 19, 2020
- Adoption of the agenda
The agenda was adopted. - Presentation: Joint Learning Program (JLP) – Occupational Health and Safety Joint Study – Update (Roxanne Lépine and Catherine Gilbert, Co-Directors, Joint Learning Program)
Further to the update provided in January 2019, R. Lépine and C. Gilbert informed the Committee that the JLP’s study is complete and a final report has been prepared; to which, the presenters provided an overview of. After reviewing the methodology behind the study, it was revealed that considerable agreement existed for a basic training course, its content and how it should be delivered to OHS Committee members at various levels. The Report, which will be circulated secretarially, recommends that two workshops be developed and piloted.
The first workshop would consist of basic training for members of OHS policy, regional and workplace committees in order to equip them with the basic knowledge, skills and confidence to perform their duties and make a positive contribution. It would cover topics such as the legal framework, Committee responsibilities (e.g. responding to incidences, carrying out inspections, responding and monitoring) and Committee effectiveness.
The second workshop would be aimed at improving OHS Committee relationships and exploring key challenges facing specific departments/agencies. It would be designed to address issues such as communication problems, mistrust between sides and difficulties in making decisions.
The Report identifies the JLP as the appropriate forum for designing and administering these workshops given its reputation, its joint governance structure and its position as neither ‘pro-management’ nor ‘pro-union’. It was explained that both workshops would be accessible but not mandatory as some departments already have effective training in place.
As this initiative moves forward, some considerations were noted, such as:- The need for additional funding, which is currently being discussed at the collective bargaining table;
- The capacity to meet potential demands;
- Specialist to develop a detailed design; and
- Participation from volunteers who are subject matter experts with the skills to facilitate the training.
Finally, the presenters informed the Committee that the JLP just developed a workshop on harassment and violence in the workplace which is aligned and explains the impact of the proposed Regulations. The workshop is available upon request and can be found on the JLP’s website as of next week. - Joint Feedback on draft Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations
On May 3, 2019, members of the Committee and the Competent Person sub-committee met to review the draft Regulations with a view to developing a list of joint concerns. A draft of those concerns was shared with the Committee at large and subject to one amendment, was accepted by the Committee. The Bargaining Agent Side raised concerns that the section on Emergency Procedures does not adequately address exposure to violence. After a brief discussion, it was agreed that the Bargaining Agent Side would circulate its revised proposal for approval secretarially. Once approved, the Committee’s feedback would be submitted to the Labour Program on behalf of the Co-Chairpersons of the SWOHS. - Smoking By-Laws
Further to the Committee’s memo asking that the Executive Committee clarify its request related to the lack of enforcement of the smoking by-law in Ottawa, the Committee Advisor reported that no further exploration is required as the Executive Committee is satisfied with the information they have received to date. - GCWorkplace site visit
Further to the GCworkplace Fit-up Pilot Report which was circulated to members following the last meeting, a Committee member requested that the raw data associated with the pilot be provided.
Furthermore, regarding the Committee’s request to view some of the GCworkplace facilities it was agreed that the following sites be visited: 1) Place du Portage; 2) Skyline; and 3) A site near Cooper/Lisgar. The Committee Advisor will work with the PSPC member to coordinate a one-day viewing of all three sites. It was also suggested that the NJC Joint Employment Equity Committee be invited as activity based working was designed to be inclusive.
In regards to accessibility, PSPC member, J.-R. Tourigny informed the Committee that PSPC will be conducting accessibility evaluations on all their buildings in the near future and he will invite a speaker to present on that initiative. - Update from the Sub-Committees:
- Competent Persons
C. Seeton advised that given the draft Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations, the sub-committee will need to revisit their 2019 work plan.
N. Porteous informed the Committee that Health Canada’s Specialized Health Services Directorate is looking to expand their existing informal conflict management program by expanding their list of competent persons and would value the input of the sub-committee as they undertake this initiative.
B. Christianson wondered if the sub-committee could explore the possibility of initiating a workplace assessment for the whole public service, which could identify root cause measures, risks and be used as a template for future assessments. It was indicated that this would exceed the mandate of the sub-committee but the whole Committee could discuss this at the next meeting.
D. St-Jean brought to the Committee’s attention that following the release of the NMSO communiqué, one department has been misinterpreting the communiqué and advising employees that investigators on the NMSO could not be refused. TBS members committed to looking into the matter and following up with that department. - Guarding Minds at Work Survey (GM@W)
A. Peart and A. Payette advised that they will be meeting with JEEC to discuss the Committees concerns as it relates to deploying the GM@W survey. - OHS Training/Learning Sub-Committee
B. Christianson provided an update and thanked sub-committee member, Chantal Lavernge, from TBS, for her tremendous contribution in conducting the OHS training scan as well as preparing a draft model of the future OHS curriculum for all employees. It was explained that following the scan of training packages received from various departments, the sub-committee compiled worthy components to form part of the curriculum. The curriculum will have 10 modules, four of which have already been drafted. It is anticipated that the proposed curriculum will be presented to the Committee for approval in September with the goal of distributing to departments by the end of the calendar year. It was reemphasized that the objective is to inform departments of the appropriate OHS training requirements for all employees and to allow departments to administer their training based on individual capacity.
- Competent Persons
- Standing Items:
- Bill C-65
Given the impending Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention Regulations, it was agreed that this standing item could be removed from future agendas. - Asbestos
Further to the establishment of PSPC’s National Asbestos Inventory, J.-R. Tourigny explained that limited progress has been made on the file since. While buildings owned and leased by PSPC have been assessed and included in the inventory, gaps still remain as it relates to unconventional workspaces (e.g. parking booths, guard towers, boats…etc.) and buildings not managed by PSPC. J.-R. Tourigny committed to looking into this file and providing an update at the next meeting. It was suggested that a speaker could come in to explain how the inventory was developed and how it is being maintained. - Legionella
Further to the draft communiqué on legionella which was circulated for comments secretarially, J.-R. Tourigny brought forth some proposed edits on behalf of PSPC. It was explained that while OHS Committees have the right to access all testing results, sharing them as a matter of course could diminish their significance when an actual situation arises. It was also emphasized that results and threshold levels need to be explained as to avoid unnecessary panic. J.-R. Tourigny, A. Peart and D. St-Jean agreed to work together to revise the communiqué.
It was also agreed that this communiqué should be resent to Policy Co-Chairs every year as a reminder.
- Bill C-65
- Round table
R. de Bellefeuille, new Employer Side Co-Chairperson and C. Zovatto, new Employer Side member, both from TBS, were welcomed to the Committee.
C. Zovatto and A. Peart attended the last Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee (OHSAC) meeting and agreed to share some of the information they received. Interesting topics included occupational diseases and cannabis in the workplace.
J.-R. Tourigny informed the Committee that a report will soon be released on extreme weather and its effects on workplaces in the National Capital Area. He could look into having a speaker come present on the topic.
B. Christianson informed the Committee that a new CSA standard regarding cannabis in the workplace will soon be released. - Next Meeting
- July 18, 2019
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.