KELSEY TRAIL HEALTH REGION
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Distribution:
Page:
Policy:
Page 1 of 4
Date:
Regional
March 2013
Policy Development Requested By:
1-100
Revised:
June 2014
September 2014
Policy Reviewed By: (list committees/individuals)
Michael Lummerding, Director Support Services Jan
2015
Title:
Approved By: (Signature)
Vice President Corporate Services
GENERAL SAFETY
Any PRINTED version of this document is only accurate up to the date of printing. Kelsey Trail Health Region
(KTHR) can not guarantee the currency or accuracy or any printed policy. Always refer to the KTHR Intranet
Policy website for the most current versions of documents in effect. KTHR accepts no responsibility for use of
this material by any person or organization not associated with KTHR. No part of this document may be
reproduced in any form for publication without permission of KTHR.
The Kelsey Trail Health Region Environmental Services Department is committed to providing a
safe and healthy working environment for employees by preventing occupational incidents and
injuries.
The department will identify health & safety hazards and provide appropriate training to mitigate
hazards ( ie. TLR education for safe and appropriate ways to use good body mechanics and move
objects such as boxes, empty mop pails etc.), supply appropriate personal protective equipment
and participate in facility Occupational Health programs.
All employees are expected to perform all tasks in a safe manner. At no times should a task be
done in a manner that compromises an employee or client’s safety. Every employee needs to
understand the hazards associated with each task and ensure they are comfortable with safe
guards provided to reduce risks, and ensure these safe guards are followed.
Employee Rights
 A safe work environment
 Access to health & safety information,
instruction and training
 Informed of hazards
 Personal protective equipment is available
 Represented by & participate in safety
committees
 Refuse any task that you believe poses undue
risk to your safety
 Not discriminated against for exercising rights
or carrying out health & safety responsibilities
Employee Responsibilities
 Understand & follow safe work procedures
and health & safety requirements
 Attend required safety training
 Co-operate with safety committees and
occupational health & safety representatives
 Report hazards and unsafe conditions to your
supervisor or manager
 Report all workplace incident/injury/near miss
or exposure to your supervisor and the
incident reporting line immediately
 Use safety equipment, devices, guards and
personal protective equipment appropriately
http://www.kthr.hin.sk.ca/SignedPolicies/Shared Documents/Environmental Services Manual/1. Organization and Direction/1-100 General
Safety.doc
Last Revision Date:
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
General Safety
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Page:
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Employer Responsibilities
 Ensure employees health and safety
 Inform employees of hazards in the workplace
 Ensure that employees are properly trained, educated and supervised
 Inspect the work place to correct unsafe conditions
 Provide and maintain equipment and personal protective equipment
 Consult with the safety committee and respond to their recommendations
 Investigate all workplace incident/injury/near miss or exposure
NEW EMPLOYEE SAFETY CHECKLIST
Equipment Operation
I know how to safely operate the following items:
(if item is not applicable mark as N/A)

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Chemical Dispenser
Auto Scrubber
High Speed Burnisher
Low Speed Burnisher (swing machine)
Vacuums
Computer
Other: Specify
Incidents, Injuries & Emergencies
I have been informed of the following:
 To report ALL work related incidents or injuries to my supervisor, Facility
Administrator immediately.
 How to report an incident
 How to report unsafe conditions and hazards
 I have been made aware to report all injuries to KTHR Injury Alert Line with
60 minutes of the accident by calling 306-752-7568.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
I have been informed of the following:
 When and where PPE should be used
 Where appropriate PPE is located
 How to put on and adjust PPE properly
 How to remove and dispose of PPE properly
 How to store PPE properly
 Department dress code ( knows & understands reasons for appropriate dress)
 OR dress code
http://www.kthr.hin.sk.ca/SignedPolicies/Shared Documents/Environmental
Signature Services Manual/1. Organization and Direction/1-100 General
Safety.doc
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
General Safety
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Page:
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WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Material Information System)
I have been informed of the following:
 Location and availability of the MSDS ( Material Safety Data Sheet) binders
 Specific hazards of chemicals in the workplace
 Proper labelling
 Proper storage/storage areas
 Proper handling procedures
 Spill response and clean up
Warm Up to Work Stretches
A proper warm up prepares you for the intense movements & static positions involved in
your job. It is designed to gradually adjust the soft tissues and joints of your body to
effectively cope with high physical demands.
A thorough warm up will increase heart rate, open blood vessels and increase blood flow
to the tissues. Muscles become relaxed, elongated and more prepared to withstand the
demands of work activity.
A good warm up decreases the risk of strains and sprains to the muscles and connective
tissue surrounding the joints.
Employee Responsibility – Participate in warm up to work exercises at the beginning of
each shift.
Signature
http://www.kthr.hin.sk.ca/SignedPolicies/Shared Documents/Environmental Services Manual/1. Organization and Direction/1-100 General
Safety.doc
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General Safety
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Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Prevention
Prevention
Keep your eyes and mind on the task
Dispose of sharp items in closest, appropriate sharps disposal container
Never put a knife in a sink, hand a sharp item directly to others or dispose of sharp times in
garbage or recycle
Always point a sharp item away from your body
Never clean up broken glass by hand
Exposure
Step 1
Complete first aides and notify your manager/supervisor.
A)
B)
Needle/sharps puncture/human bite
Immediately remove gloves or clothing to determine any injury to the hands or affected
body area.
Ensure area bleeds.
Wash the injured area well with soap and water
Clean/swab with available antiseptic.
Splash to eyes/nose/mouth/non-intact skin
Flush area with running water for 15 minutes
For non-intact skin, wash well with soap and water
Step 2
Immediately report to nearest emergency department.
Complete incident report
Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) Codes
EPP Color Codes System: This is a system used in the Health Region that identifies specific types
of emergency situations by color in order to alert staff without alarming the public or clients.
Generally the color code is announced via overhead paging and may provide additional information
relevant to the emergency such as location. These codes are located on the back of your name tag.
Code Red:
Code Orange:
A fire or suspected fire
An emergency/disaster has occurred which will result in the sudden influx of casualties or
will require an expansion of services
Code Green:
An evacuation of a specific area or entire building.
Code Black:
A bomb threat has been received. This communication is generally directed at necessary
staff without use of the overhead paging system.
Code Purple:
A hostage taking.
Code White:
A violent act has occurred beyond staff ability to control
Code Yellow:
A missing patient/resident/client
Code Brown:
A hazardous material spill. Response to this code may include implementation of the air
exclusion plan if the problem exists in the external environment or a response from a spill
team if that is the nature
of the problem. Services Manual/1. Organization and Direction/1-100 General
http://www.kthr.hin.sk.ca/SignedPolicies/Shared
Documents/Environmental
Safety.doc