3.1.4 WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Edmonton Police Commission (Commission) promotes a safe and healthy workplace for all employees.

The Commission is committed to providing for the health and safety of all employees, commission members, and community members, and fully supports a health and safety management system that protects the staff and all public that may enter into a Commission workplace.

Definitions:

HAZARD ASSESSMENT: Hazard assessment is a formal process for identifying existing and potential hazards and determining the degree of danger or risk the hazards pose to employees.

IMMINENT DANGER:  A danger that is not normal for that occupation or a situation under which a person is at immediate risk of serious physical harm or death.

SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: A process used to effectively manage hazards. It includes the identification of hazards, and the control of identified hazards.

PHYSICAL SECURITY PLAN: Is a set of procedures and processes used to manage hazards and risks.

WORKPLACE: Includes the Commission’s home office but also applies to any other location the Commission may be conducting its business or event related to its work and includes, but is not limited to, business use of social networking sites.

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: Violence in the workplace may include, but is not limited to the following list of prohibited behaviors directed at or by a co-worker, Supervisor, contractor, client or member of the public:

  • Direct threats or physical intimidation
  • Implications or suggestions of violence
  • Stalking
  • Possession of weapons of any kind
  • Assault of any form
  • Physical restraint, confinement
  • Dangerous or threatening horseplay
  • Loud, disruptive or angry behavior or language that is clearly not part of the typical work environment
  • Blatant or intentional disregard for the safety or well-being of others
  • Commission of a violent felony or misdemeanor
  • Any other act that a reasonable person would perceive as constituting a threat of violence

Guidelines:

  1. All commissioners and Commission staff members have a responsibility for ensuring healthy and safe workplace practices.
  2. All Commissioners, volunteers and/or contractors performing services on behalf of the Commission are also responsible and will be held accountable to meet the requirements identified in the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation and the Commission’s health and safety policies and procedures.
  3. The Executive Director (ED) will provide leadership in promoting a healthy and productive work environment and will support specific safety procedures including providing related health and safety training for staff members.
  4. The ED will ensure that there is a comprehensive physical security plan which includes, but is not limited to, protection from fires, employee safety, workplace violence, anti-theft measures, digital security, and access control.
  5. All hazard control measures will automatically be reviewed and revised as necessary when an incident at the workplace occurs, and/or it is determined that gaps are present in the policy or any related procedure(s).
  6. The ED is responsible for assuring all health and safety processes implemented adhere to the Occupational Health and Safety regulations and any other relevant legislation, such as, but not limited to, Employment Standards Code, Alberta Human Rights Act, and Worker’s Compensation Act.
  7. No staff member shall carry out any work if, on reasonable and probable grounds, the employee believes that there exists an imminent danger to the health and safety of that employee.

References:

  1. Alberta Occupational Health & Safety Act, Legislation, Regulation and Code
  2. Emergency Health Services Act
  3. EPC Policy 3.1.5 – Respectful Workplace