Occupational Health & Safety

The University of King’s College is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for all faculty, staff, students and visitors. We aim to foster the awareness of the importance of safety on our campus and to provide the education necessary to perform activities and duties safely.

Directors of Programmes and Administrative Department Heads are responsible to ensure employees under their supervision follow this policy, use safe work practices and receive training to protect their health. The Safety Coordinator liaises with all university departments to ensure compliance with legislation and guidelines related to safety in the workplace and to provide assistance to individuals and departments on issues of health and safety.

All faculty, staff and students are expected to co-operate with the Occupational Health & Safety committee. They are to take individual responsibility for safe thinking and safe working practices and procedures so as to safeguard their own individual health and well being as well as that of all colleagues and members of the University of King’s College community.

The Occupational Health & Safety Committee

The University of King’s College’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy, as well as the Health and Safety Program, are annually reviewed by the Occupational Health & Safety Committee, which provides recommendations for changes, when appropriate. Among other tasks, the committee also responds to health and safety concerns raised by members of the college, and recommends to the Property, Grounds and Safety Committee alterations to physical facilities or work practices, as it deems necessary or advisable. For a detailed look at the committee’s responsibilities and procedures, view its Terms of Reference [PDF].

Membership

Members Effective December 2019

Administrative Representative
Katie Merwin (2018)
Phone: 131 / Email: katie.merwin@ukings.ca

Athletics Representative
Trisha Miles (2017)
Phone: x. 219 / Email: trish.miles@ukings.ca

Dean of Students
Katie Merwin (2018)
Phone: 131 / Email: katie.merwin@ukings.ca

Facilities Representative
Sheldon Gouthro (2018)
Phone: x.118 / Email: sheldon.gouthro@ukings.ca

Faculty Representative
Patricia Chalmers (2017)
Phone: x. 174 / Email: patricia.chalmers@ukings.ca

Food Services Representative (Chartwell’s)
Elizabeth Maskell (2016)
Phone: x. 117 / Email: liz.maskell@ukings.ca

Housekeeping Representative (Eastern)
Tanya Lovell-Shepherd (2019)
Phone: 902-877-4284 / Email:tanya.lovell@gdi.com

Secretary
Monica Farrell (2004)
Phone: x. 132 / Email: monica.farrell@ukings.ca

Security Representative
Devon Sheppard (2018)
Phone: 902-430-7938 / Email: devon.sheppard@aus.com

Staff Representative
Jordan Roberts (2020)
Phone: 902-229-6123 / Email: jordan.roberts@ukings.ca

Student Employees Representative
JM Nsengiyumva (2019)
Phone: x 114 / Email: hc@ksu.ca

Student Representative
Morgan Carter (2020)
Phone: x 169 / Email: slvp@ksu.ca

Sexualized Violence Prevention & Response Representative
Jordan Roberts (2019)
Phone: 902-229-6123 / Email: jordan.roberts@ukings.ca

Co-Chair
Dolly McIntyre (2017)
Phone: x. 220 / Email: dolly.mcintyre@ukings.ca

Co-Chair
Tim Ross (2011)
Phone: x 277 / Email: tim.ross@ukings.ca

Safety Coordinator
Ian Wagschal (2019)
Ext: 262 / Email: ian.wagschal@ukings.ca

Minutes from previous meetings

Policy Redress of Grievances

If an employee has concerns about safety and believe that they are being asked to do “unsafe work,” they are to raise their concern directly with their supervisor. If, following this discussion, the matter is not resolved and the employee still believes the work they are being asked to do is unsafe, they are to refuse the work and are to contact the university safety officer or the chair of the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee. The procedures that will be followed for “work refusals” are those laid out in the Terms of Reference for the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee.

In matters other than safety, if an employee believes that he or she has been given less than fair treatment in any matter relating to any work assignment or working conditions assigned him or her by the university, then he or she should discuss the matter directly with the party or parties concerned.

Appeal to the president

If satisfaction is not obtained from direct discussions, the person believing that he or she has a grievance may set out in writing an account of the matter and submit this to the president, with a copy to the other party concerned with whom the matter has already been discussed.

The president, or the president’s delegate, shall meet with the employee concerned without undue delay and shall, after considering the matter communicate a decision to the employee alleging grievance.

Appeal to the board of governors

If the employee alleging grievance is not satisfied with the disposition of the matter by the president or the president’s delegate (or in cases where the president is the employee’s direct supervisor), the employee may request the chair of the board of governors to consider the matter. The chair of the board or their delegate(s) will meet with the individual(s) concerned and shall report on the issue, including recommendations where appropriate, to the board of governors and shall provide a copy of the recommendations, if any, together with any decisions of the board, as a final resolution of the matter.  The board will not hear grievances dealing with legal matters relating to hiring or termination of employment.

Occupational Health and Safety Division

Employees may consult the Occupational Health and Safety Act. They may also report occupational health or safety concerns to:

Occupational Health and Safety Division
General Inquiries and Reporting
Toll free: 1-800-952-2687 (24 hours)
Halifax Metro: 902-424-5400 (Monday to Friday 8.30 AM to 4.30 PM)
E-mail: ohsdivision@gov.ns.ca

COVID-19 Operational Safety Planning

University Central Coordination Plan

Safety Policy

University Safety Policy

File an Incident Report

Accident/Incident Report