Effective Date: 4 April 2004, Revised: April 2006, January 2007

Approved By: Bill Bragnalo - Human Resources Director

Intent:
To develop a hazard reporting procedure in an effort to increase due diligence, minimize personal injury and property loss in the workplace.

Definitions:

Hazardous Condition
an existing or a potential condition that alone or in combination with other factors, can result in personal injury, illness, fatality, property damage or other losses.

Near miss Accident
an unplanned event that had the potential for property loss or injury.

Internal Responsibility System
Everyone in the workplace, both employees and employers, have equal powers to act on health and safety matters. Responsibility for occupational health and safety is shared by all.

Procedure:

1. All employees of Lakehead University shall be focused on recognizing workplace hazards, recognizing near miss accidents and shall exercise appropriate due diligence to minimize risks.
   
   
2. All parties (employees and supervisors) shall report all hazardous conditions to their immediate supervisors, to Physical Plant (work order desk) or to the office of Human Resources – Health and Safety. After working hours reports should be made to the Security Office.
   
   
3. All employee near miss accidents and personal injury accidents shall be documented on Lakehead University's Incident/Accident Report Form. This can be documented by the immediate supervisor, a member of the office of Human Resources – Health and Safety or, after working hours, by a Security Officer. The completed forms must be sent to the office of Human Resources – Health and Safety.
   
   
4. Upon discovering a hazardous condition or a near miss accident, supervisors shall take immediate and appropriate action to minimize or, if possible, eliminate the risk entirely. The supervisor shall implement safety control procedures for this purpose.
   
   
5. Supervisors who cannot resolve hazardous matters at their level shall follow the principles of the Internal Responsibility System and direct the matter to a higher level of authority at the University, for example, a director, department chair/head, Health and Safety Officer and/or their joint health and safety committee.
   
   
6. Resolutions of hazardous conditions and outstanding health and safety issues shall be communicated via Health and Safety Committee minutes or by progress reports given by a supervisor from the area in question. The reports can be made verbally if concerns are of a minor nature.
   
   
7. Unsafe work procedures by contractors and subcontractors shall be reported to the on-site supervisor and/or the University Project Coordinator in Physical Plant or the Office of Human Resources, Health and Safety.
   
   
8. Similarly, issues concerning unsafe conduct of students while on University property should be reported immediately to the Security office and/or to the Office of Student Affairs.
   
   
9. In all cases of emergency or life threatening situations contact Security Office at 8911

Evaluation:
This procedure shall be evaluated by the Health and Safety Officer in conjunction with the Joint Health and Safety Committees in January every third year.