Individual Employee Responsibilities

Each individual has a responsibility to carry out their assigned duties to meet employer's expectations. For a health and safety program to achieve its desired results of minimizing workplace accidents and improving workplace environment, everyone in a workplace must know their responsibilities and abide by the following health and safety guidelines.

Employee Guidelines

1. Carry out tasks in a preventive manner. Avoid creating health and safety hazards to yourself and others by following these suggestions.

· isolate areas where paint was spilled until clean up is complete and affected area is dry
· place all empty paint cans in waste bin only after they've dried
· replace and secure lid on any can that still has wet paint inside it
· clearly identify/label cans that have left-over paints
· do not leave or store paint solvents in paint cans
· do not leave extension ladders in vertical position after use
· ensure all drop sheets are flat on floor while working to prevent tripping or other accidents
· ensure cans of unused paint have lids tightly closed before storing
· wipe excess paint from can lid and can rim after opening
· cover cans of paint with a rag when closing a lid to prevent paint splattering
· never carry solvent soiled rags in pockets or leave bunched up or in an unventilated area
· read safety tips on manufacturer paint cans

2. Report any incidents, near misses, injuries, or illnesses.

Any incidents or potentially hazardous situations to be reported to supervisor immediately. Supervisor to act on situations that require immediate attention and prevent the return of employees to affected area until situation has been rectified.

3. Use the correct tools and equipment for each task.

· use ladders to reach high areas · not empty paint cans
· do not over-extend your reach when in a ladder · move the ladder instead
· use proper extensions when reaching high areas and do not use tape to secure brushes or rollers to extensions

4. Keep tools in good condition.

· clean all tools using appropriate solvent
· regroup tools, paint and equipment at end of each day
· solvent used to loosen frigid brushes overnight should be kept isolated in areas away from flammable products
· large container to hold excess or spent material should be used when spinning brushes and rollers

5. Use proper safety equipment and protective clothing.

· wear safety cables when working in heights
· make sure properly fitted face masks are used when spraying or working with toxic applications
· goggles should be worn when using spraying equipment
· wear rubber gloves when using cleaning solvents
· steel toed footwear to be worn on all construction sites at all times

6. Report defects in workplace equipment.

· ladders and any other defective equipment to be avoided at all times
· broken or loose welds or rungs on ladders or scaffolding to be reported to job supervisor immediately

7. Develop a personal concern for health and safety for yourself and others, particularly new employees, workplace visitors and young people.

· actively solicit ideas from employees on ways of improving workplace conditions or work processes
· increase employee focus on personal safety by regularly holding meetings to discuss safety concerns or issues
· offer rewards for ideas on how to increase safety at the workplace

8. Read, understand, and comply with workplace health and safety policy, safe work practices and procedures.

9. Have copy of this document distributed and read by all new employees and available to all employees on job sites.

Safety Co-ordinator/Office

Advise management/supervisors and employees on:

· prevention of injury and illness to personnel and damage to property or equipment
· legal requirements affecting safety, health and welfare
· provision and use of protective clothing and equipment
· potential hazards on new contracts before work starts and precautions required
· Record and analyze information on injuries, illness, damage and production loss.
· Assess accident trends and review overall safety performances.
· Promote workplace safety through constant dialogue, observation and suggestions.
· Hold regular staff meetings/discussions to illicit ideas and thoughts on workplace safety.
· Take part in workplace discussions on injury, health and welfare, damage control.
· Keep up-to-date with recommended codes of practice and new safety and health literature.
· Administer safety program.
· Ensure that corrective action has been taken whenever deficiencies are identified.

Senior Executive/Managers

· Provide a statement of policy relating to the safety program.
· Maintain overall control of the safety and loss prevention program.
· Ensure that all established safety policies are administered and enforced in all areas.
· Ensure that all personnel are aware of and effectively practice the policies and procedures set out in the health and safety program.
· Provide information, instructions, and assistance to all supervisory staff in order to protect the health and safety of all employees.
· Understand and enforce the accident prevention policy as well as the occupational health and safety legislation.
· Provide all supervisory staff with proper, well-maintained tools and equipment, plus any special personal protective devices which may be required.
· Provide ongoing health and safety education programs and approved first aid training courses as required.
· Monitor departments and projects and hold them accountable for their individual safety performance.

Supervisors

· Co-operate with health and safety committee members
· Provide instructions to employees about safe work procedures. As part of the routine duties, the supervisor shall require employees to use personal protective equipment as appropriate.
· Provide an example for others by always directing and performing work in a safe manner.
· Conduct regular inspections for unsafe practices and conditions and ensure prompt corrective action.
· Work in cooperation with others in determining safe practices, enforcing their observance, developing procedures for dealing with violations and general safety and accident prevention.
· Enforce all established safety regulations and work methods. Take corrective action as necessary to ensure compliance with the rules.
· Know and apply the workplace safety policy and relevant occupational health and safety legislation.
· Arrange for medical treatment as required, including transportation to a doctor or hospital as necessary.
· Report all accidents immediately, investigate all accidents fully, and advise management on how to prevent similar accidents in the future.
· Carry out common inspections of the work place to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
· Hold regular safety meetings to review safety conditions and general safety policies.
· Be aware of the hazards that exist for the short term, temporary and newly hired employee. Ensure that new employees receive detailed safety instructions before they are allowed to start work.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PREVENTION PROGRAM

Each employee is expected to contribute to the reduction and controlling of accident and illness producing conditions by implementing and following the safety rules listed below.

· ensure ventilation is adequate when applying non-latex products
· set up scaffolding on solid dry footing and ensure all wheels are locked and scaffold secure
· set up extension ladders on dry footing ensuring a distance of 25% of height from wall between bottom of ladder and wall
· install anti-slip covers on upper end of extension ladders when in use
· have someone provide security by holding extension ladder securely when climbing or working on ladder
· scaffolding setup to be verified by job supervisor prior to using
· ensure step ladder folding braces are fully extended before climbing
· never use top of scaffolding as footing for ladders
· install Wet Paint signs in freshly painted areas
· ensure scaffolding wheels are locked prior to doing any work
· climb off ladders or scaffolding prior to moving them; do not move from one ladder to another even if it is close by
· clean up paint spills immediately and render affected area off limits to others until left over paint has dried
· leave all solvent soiled rags to dry spread out and in a well ventilated area away from other flammable products