​PURPOSE

A safety training program for new and current workers must be defined and documented for compliance as part of Element 8, develop a training plan for supervisors and workers, 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 conducting safety training at River East Transcona School Division (RETSD). The best practices apply to all RETSD worksites.

RESPONSIBILITY

RETSD

RETSD management is responsible for providing safety training. Workers are responsible for participating in training when required.

WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING PROGRAM

RETSD is committed to ensuring all workers are adequately trained in the correct requirements and procedures to complete each activity or task.

RETSD will ensure the training provided has been adequate, by completing knowledge assessment and competency reviews of workers as suitable to their occupational requirements.

An employee training list will be updated annually or as otherwise determined by the human resources director and RETSD senior management. Information from these training lists will be maintained in a database. In addition, RETSD will maintain in employee files, copies of all certificates and warranties of completion for workers who have completed training.

Due to the multitude of tasks and worker competencies required for all occupations, it is the responsibility of each worker to ensure he or she has received adequate training, prior to attempting any work activity that could cause injury to themselves or others in consultation with their supervisor.

All employees and divisional workers shall participate in the general safety training program as required. All employees shall participate in technical and safe work instruction training as required.

Should a worker feel they are not adequately trained to perform a task safely, RETSD supports that workers are not required to complete that task or activity. A work refusal shall be generated for the task or situation in question, and an investigation will be conducted accordingly.

Unsafe actions taken by workers can often be related to the lack of effective training. On this basis, workers involved in accidents, incidents and near-misses may be required to undergo a competency assessment to determine if additional training is required as part of remedial actions or return to work strategies.

Specific worker safety training requirements will be reviewed by the human resources department on an ongoing basis, in conjunction with divisional management. Training requirements will be reviewed during individual performance evaluations.

SAFETY TRAINING DELIVERY MECHANISMS

Safety training at RETSD will be delivered using the following methods for knowledge transfer:

• Primary method: Computer-based, self-paced training modules accessed on the workplace safety and health page on the staff portal. Knowledge assessments may be completed on paper or electronically for objective evidence of training participation and knowledge transfer.

• Secondary method: Traditional adult education classroom or meeting setting, using modules developed for self-paced training as the course guide. Knowledge assessments may be completed on paper or electronically for objective evidence of training participation and knowledge transfer.

Safety training at RETSD will be delivered using the following methods for knowledge transfer and demonstration of skills:

• Specialty method: On-the-job training and field observation assessment using safe work instructions or other process checklists. Completion of checklists, and sign off between trainer/evaluator and trainee, provides objective evidence of training competition.

SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AND COMPLETION

Generally:

• Supervisors or people in charge are responsible to ensure they take the training prescribed in the training matrix for their occupation

• Supervisors or people in charge are responsible to ensure their subordinates take the training prescribed in the training matrix for their subordinate's occupation

• The human resources department will provide safety training completion data to the organization to be used in performance evaluation processes, where applicable

SAFETY TRAINING RECORDS MANAGEMENT

Training records will be kept by the employer, consistent with the training requirements established in the training matrix.

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.