Change is constant. You may have hired new staff, promoted or reassigned staff, or you may have brought in new equipment. In this Health & Safety Quick Reference series, you have spent some time educating yourself about:
You have worked hard to develop your Health & Safety system. Now, you should work on developing habits that maintain this system, even through additional changes. By developing habits that help you maintain the system, you show your employees and customers that you are committed, proactive and that you value them.
Integration occurs when Health & Safety is built into existing business system: policies, standards, practices and procedures. In this system Health & Safety is not treated as a "stand-alone" or an "add on" program. It is central to your business. Manage Health & Safety like you manage everything else in your business. By building it into your business practices everyone develops a better understanding of what they need to do to maintain a safe and healthy workplace.
So you need to look at your daily business practices. How can you build Health & Safety into them? Look at the following areas and think of how Health & Safety plays a part in each area.
Keeping momentum for your Health & Safety system is important. By being an excellent role model, and involving all staff in the pursuit of healthy and safe work habits, you are sure to keep up that momentum.
Positive support is a great way to make sure that this happens - it is a powerful motivator and leads to continuous improvement.
Here are some of the resources available through OSSA to get you started in integrating Health & Safety:
On our Web site you will find useful information about your sub-sector, and relevant training courses and products.
Contact Your Local Consultant to Discuss Your Health & Safety Needs
That contractors you hire should provide you with a "WSIB Clearance Certificate" showing that their firm is registered with the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board, and their workers are covered under worker's compensation.
