Health and Safety Officer

The Greater Essex County District School Board invites applications from interested, qualified, team oriented individuals for the Non-Bargaining 35 hr full time, position of Health and Safety Officer. The position reporting directly to the Superintendent of Business and Treasurer is expected to begin as soon as possible.

This posting is for one of two Health and Safety Officers who are jointly responsible for facilitating the development, implementation, administration and maintenance of the Board’s Occupational Health and Safety policies and programs across all sites. The Health and Safety Officers ensure that the Board complies with all applicable legislation, guidelines and standards regarding Occupational Health and Safety with the objective of ensuring that all reasonable measures are taken to protect the health and safety of all staff, students and the general public. The Health and Safety Officers advise on safety standards, regulations, and legislative compliance and make recommendations to improve the health and safety of our employees.

Job Summary:

POSITION: Health and Safety Officer

START DATE: ASAP

LOCATION: Facility Services

SALARY: $100,791 to $118,573

What we offer:

• Extensive benefits
• Enrolment in a defined pension plan through the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS)
• Staff Wellness Resources
• EAP Program
• Competitive vacation days; plus, additional two-week paid Winter Break.

Nature & Scope of Position:

Work collaboratively with the Board’s current Health and Safety Officer to:

• Maintain, develop and update Board procedures, programs and best management practices necessary for compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, associated regulations and other legislation applicable to the education sector.
• Administer the Board’s Health & Safety policies, procedures and programs in co-operation with members of the Board’s administration and staff.
• Provide timely and accurate information regarding health and safety issues, policies and best practices.
• Liaise and act as a resource to Board employees, Principals, Supervisors, Senior Administration and regulatory agencies (e.g. Ministry of Labour, Public Health, Ministry of the Environment, Fire and Police Departments etc.).
• Ensure existence and functionality of the Board’s Joint Health and Safety Committees.
• Act as an advisor to the Board’s Joint Health & Safety Committees, ensuring compliance with monthly inspections and quarterly meetings, consultation on new programs and processes, training for committee members and co-ordination of responses to concerns.
• Assist with the development and delivery of employee training programs as required by legislation,
• Board policy and training on specialized health and safety topics (e.g. New hire orientation, asbestos, first air, CPR, WHMIS, inspections, ergonomics etc.).
• Develop safe work procedures/practices for specific job and process functions.
• Perform on site safety audits and inspection of schools and buildings, evaluate performance, identify unsafe work conditions, practices and procedures, recommend corrective action and implement follow-up assessments. Work with site staff to mitigate job site risks and develop response measures to remediate the issues.
• Develop and co-ordinate legislatively required inspections of all facilities and equipment for compliance with Occupational Health and Safety legislation and guidelines (e.g. annual lifting device inspections etc.)
• Coordinate required testing to identify and address potential hazards.
• Assist in the development of emergency plans to manage internal and external emergencies of a localized and/or system-wide nature.
• Respond to and provide consultation and support for incidents/accidents, critical injury investigations, work refusals, work stoppages and investigation of unsafe working conditions.
  Support and collaborate with Wellness Officers to manage WSIB claims and reduce accident frequency and severity levels by improving health and safety practices.
• Assist in the maintenance of the On-Line Incident Reporting Tool ensuring data is complete and submissions and responses are completed in a timely manner. Ensure responses are thorough and complete. Prepare reports highlighting to management trends and areas of concern etc.
• Collaborate with members of the Facility Services department, Human Resources department, Superintendent of Education – Student Well-being and other departments within the Board to promote and maintain a psychologically healthy and safe workplace.
• Maintenance of the Board’s Workplace Violence Program.
• Maintain the Board’s WHMIS and Personal Protective Equipment programs.
• Promote the health, safety, and well-being of all employees.
• Demonstrate a commitment to and documented success in working to create a fair, inclusive, antiracist environment for all stakeholders, and to supporting diverse constituencies and populations.
• Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Business and Treasurer.