Section 5 – Health and Safety (30 minute Research & Assignment)
Research: Research WHMIS online and familiarize yourself with the symbols that represent the various hazardous material you may come across on site as a security guard. You have 30 minutes to research the information. Once the 30 minutes has expired, you will able to continue your course and proceed to the next page.
Assignment: Your assignment is to list 2 job sites whereby a security guard will need to handle hazardous material in accordance to WHMIS systems and procedures.
Please write the answers to your Research and Assignment in your Learning Journal. These answers will need to be submitted at the end of this course. This assignment should be no longer than a paragraph (maximum 100 words).
Is there more information about Health and Safety?
Yes, Ontario believes that everyone has the right to return home safe. They have Created a Health and Safety Act. Below you can find the link online for more information:
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/
Section 5 – Health and Safety
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
PSISA Website: http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/PSIS/BasicTesting/SecurityGuardStudyGuide/HealthSafety/SG_health.html
The requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) ensure the occupational safety of security guards and those with whom they interact.
What is WHMIS?
WHMIS is a national system that provides information about dangers and safe handling of materials in the workplace, including biological and chemical substances. The goal is to ensure that workers have the knowledge and skills to protect their health in the workplace. Security guards may not work directly with hazardous materials, but may be exposed to them at work. Security guards should be familiar with the WHMIS symbols and how to respond to hazardous situations (see Appendix A.)
WHMIS sets out the responsibilities of suppliers, workers, and employers. Information about hazardous products should be readily available in the workplace. The employer must have procedures in place that are appropriate for the workplace and conditions of use of a product.
Security guards should have training to understand workplace hazards and know what controls are in place to protect them from such materials, including operational policies or personal protective equipment. Security guards should also be informed by their employer about procedures to follow in case of an emergency with hazardous materials.
Security guards should be prepared to deal with an emergency situation. This includes reviewing any available Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for potentially hazardous materials. Security guards should evaluate the hazards they may be exposed to and consider the tools and equipment needed in an emergency. Emergency response contact numbers should also be posted in a visible location.
When there is a health and safety risk that requires emergency response, security guards should:
- know when to initiate the emergency response plan
- evacuate the area and restrict access
- contact the employers WHMIS response team or emergency services.
Some examples of situations that may require emergency response include chemical spills or leaks, fires or explosions, or improper exposure to a dangerous substance.
What is the Fire Code of Ontario?
Fire Code
12. (1) The Minister may make regulations that are considered advisable or necessary for the purpose of establishing a fire code for Ontario governing fire safety standards for equipment, systems, buildings, structures, land and premises including regulations,
(a) prescribing any method, matter or thing relating to fire protection;
(b) respecting standards for reducing the risk of, or consequences of, a fire that would seriously endanger the health or safety of any person or the quality of the natural environment for any use that can be made of it;
(c) requiring and regulating fire protection equipment and systems and respecting the maintenance of such equipment and systems;
(d) requiring and regulating means of egress, fire separations, finish materials, furnishings and decorations, standards of housekeeping and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and incinerating equipment and systems;
(e) controlling or prohibiting any material, substance, equipment or system affecting fire safety;
(f) requiring and regulating procedures respecting fire safety and the keeping and furnishing of records and reports;
(g) requiring the approval of the Fire Marshal or of a prescribed person in respect of any method, matter or thing;
(h) requiring notice to be given to the Fire Marshal or to a prescribed person respecting any change in use or occupancy;
(i) prescribing conditions for use, occupation or demolition;
(j) exempting any class of building, structure, lands or premises from compliance with the regulations or any provision thereof, and attaching terms and conditions to such exemptions;
(k) respecting the qualifications and training of persons servicing, maintaining, testing or repairing fire protection devices, equipment or systems and the licensing of such persons;
(l) adopting by reference, in whole or in part, with such changes as the Minister considers necessary, any code or standard and requiring compliance with any code or standard that is so adopted.
