University of Toronto Mississauga
PA-15: Workplace Health and Safety

The University of Toronto is committed to the promotion of the health, safety and wellbeing of all members of the University community, to the provision of a safe and healthy work and study environment, and to the prevention of occupational injuries and illnesses.

The Governing Council, the President and all levels of management will work in consultation and cooperation with University employees, joint health and safety committees, students, contractors and visitors to ensure that the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, other applicable legislation with supporting guidelines and procedures, and the University’s Occupational Health and Safety Management System are fully implemented and integrated into all University work and study activities.

Where reasonable, the University will strive to exceed the legislated requirements by adopting the best practices available to protect the University community and to promote a positive health and safety culture. The University will work towards continuous improvement in its health and safety program.

Managers and supervisors, whether academic or administrative, will take responsibility and accountability for the health and safety of all workers (i.e., employees and certain others as set out in OHSA – Bill 18) under their direction and those workplaces under their charge. They will advise their workers of the existence of potential or actual workplace hazards and will ensure that they work safely and in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, and all applicable University policies and procedures. They will take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of their workers.

All University workers, including faculty, librarians, and non-unionized and unionized employees, have some responsibility for ensuring health and safety in the workplace. Workers will work safely and in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, and University policies and procedures. Workers will report all unsafe and unhealthy conditions and practices in the workplace to their immediate supervisors so that they may be promptly remedied.

The University has procedures that outline the reporting requirements involving employees and non-employees (student, visitor, contractor) for accidents, occupational illnesses and incidents which result in or have the potential to result in personal injury or property damage.

Reportable incidents are those which:
- Result in personal injury or lost time from work (including those requiring first aid, and occupational illness);
- Have the potential to result in personal injury or property damage even though no injury or damage actually occurred;
- Occur to any person on university premises;
- Occur to a university employee during the course of his/her work either on or off university premises;
- Occur to a student during the course of his/her classroom, laboratory or field work;
- Occur to a student during the course of a work placement (either paid or unpaid) which forms part of their university curriculum.

All employees must report the accident/incident to their supervisor or home department immediately. On the day of the incident, the employer is responsible for providing and paying for immediate transportation to a hospital, health professional office/clinic or the worker’s home (if necessary) and for paying for full wages and benefits for the day or shift on which the injury occurred.

Within 24 hours, the supervisor must complete and submit the “Online Accident/Incident eForm for Employees”.

All incident/accident reports submitted are reviewed by EHS. Follow-up with the supervisor/UofT contact is conducted to close out each incident which may involve providing additional recommendations/corrective actions or conducting an investigation. The incident reports are tracked accordingly for our records.