​WSHMS-02B-SOP-014-08

PURPOSE

To establish divisional expectations and standards regarding an air quality and ventilation program at River East Transcona School Division (RETSD) that meets or exceeds all municipal, federal and provincial legislated workplace safety and health program requirements.

An air quality and ventilation program must be defined and documented for compliance as part of Element 2, identify and control hazards and emergencies, for the effective development and implementation of a workplace safety and health program under Manitoba legislation.

SCOPE

This safe operating procedure and associated documents establish a procedure for an air quality and ventilation program for all workers at RETSD. The best practices apply to all RETSD worksites.

RESPONSIBILITY

Maintenance Staff

The Maintenance Department is responsible for the air quality and ventilation program at RETSD.

AIR QUALITY AND VENTILATION PROGRAM GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

River East Transcona School Division shall, as much as is reasonably practicable, ensure that

(a)  the workplace has appropriate air quality and is adequately ventilated;

and

(b) contaminants and impurities are prevented from accumulating in the air at a workplace.

Mechanical Ventilation

When River East Transcona School Division or an owner provides a mechanical ventilation system at a workplace, the employer or owner shall ensure that

(a)  it is designed and installed in accordance with the requirements of

(i) the Manitoba Building Code, and

(ii) any applicable municipal code, standard or by-law;

(b) it provides sufficient amounts of air to replace the air it exhausts from the workplace;

(c) it, and any associated humidification equipment, is inspected and maintained by a competent person at a frequency that is sufficient to:

(i) protect the safety and health of workers, and

(ii) minimize the growth of biological contaminants and their dissemination through the system; and

(d) its ventilation openings are kept free of obstructions and sources of contamination.

Air Cleaning Systems

River East Transcona School Division and an owner shall ensure that any mechanical ventilation system designed to re-circulate air in the workplace removes particulate and gaseous contaminants through an air cleaning system that is designed, installed and maintained to protect the safety and health of workers.

COMMUNICATION

A combination of hard-copy postings, distributions and electronic posting will be used to communicate safety and health program information within RETSD.

TRAINING

All stakeholders shall be trained to their required level of involvement in the WSHMS to become familiar with its structure, organization, and how to look up and access information both electronically and in hard copy form through:

• New employee orientation, employee manuals or employment information packages

• Return to work or remedial programs, as required on an individual basis

• Planned ongoing training through team meetings, individual coaching or other methods as developed or adopted

ENFORCEMENT

Ultimately, the superintendent shall be responsible for the sustainability of the WSHMS, and shall enforce compliance to standards at a divisional level.

Workplace safety and health management system compliance shall be managed through the application of performance management and progressive discipline policies and procedures.

Worker failure to comply with provisions of the RETSD safety program may lead to discipline, up to and including discharge from employment and / or other remedies available at law.

Divisional Safety and Health Officer

Controlled:

Divisional Safety and Health Officer

Reviewed:

Divisional Workplace Safety and Health Committee

Issued: 

Director of Human Resources

Approved:

Director of Maintenance

Origin Date:

August 31, 2010

Last Revised:

July 31, 2018

Last Reviewed:

July 31, 2018

Next Review On or Before:

July 31, 2021

Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act or equivalent legislation as applicable

Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulation or equivalent legislation as applicable

Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulation Part 04 – General Workplace Requirements

Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Program Element 02 – Identifying and Controlling Hazards

All other associated and applicable workplace safety and health management system documents