ASLC Health and Safety Policy

Effective Date: July 1, 2026

1.              Purpose

The health and safety of all employees is a priority to the Association of Ston(e)y Lake Cottagers (ASLC). It is our policy to provide safe and healthy working conditions, as well as proper first aid facilities. It is not only ASLC’s responsibility to ensure Workplace health and safety but also the responsibility of all employees.

All parties must consider health and safety in every activity. Commitment to health and safety is an integral part of ASLC’s mandate. ASLC is committed to protecting employees from injury and illness by establishing safe work practices in compliance with occupational health and safety legislation.

2.         Scope

This policy applies to all permanent, temporary, and contracted staff working with ASLC.

3.         Definitions

“Workplace” means any place where business or work-related activities are conducted. It includes, but is not limited to, the physical work premises, work-related social functions, work assignments outside ASLC’s facilities, work-related travel, and training sessions.

4.         Policy Statement

ASLC’s Health and Safety Policy is built on the following guidelines:

•               Accident prevention shall be an integral part of all job procedures;

•               Employees must report all injuries, regardless of their extent, to their supervisor and to the person in charge of the first aid station immediately after the injury occurs;

•               All accidents shall be investigated by the supervisor and reported to the Governance Committee;

•               Management is responsible for development, installation, operation, administration and supervision of the safety program as outlined herein; and

•               The ASLC will comply with the applicable provincial health and safety legislation.

The key elements for a successful health and safety program are:

•               A health and safety committee/representative, where legislatively required;

•               Accident investigations;

•               Workplace inspections;

•               Safety training; and

•               Safe workplace design and layout.

Employees are encouraged to take the initiative, as individuals or departments, to improve existing programs and/or develop and recommend additional methods or programs. Equally important are management and employee commitment and involvement in the total health and safety effort. Any accident or hazard that results in, or may result in, injury to an employee or damage to equipment should be reported and thoroughly investigated. Regardless of how minor the injury or damage, the events that contributed to the injury should be recorded. Determination can then be made as to their cause and will serve to prevent their recurrence.

Safety inspections are essential in maintaining acceptable safety standards and work practices. Workplace conditions are constantly changing, and inspections are a means of recognizing and appraising unsafe conditions of work and unsafe practices resulting from these changes.

You must report all work-related accidents/incidents immediately to your supervisor. You are responsible for obtaining the proper forms from your supervisor and completing them appropriately.

It is in the best interest of all parties to consider health and safety in their day-to-day activities. Commitment from the ASLC, management and all employees to health and safety forms an integral part of this organization - each one of us here has a role to play in safety at work.  

5.         Hazard Identification and Control

ASLC recognizes that effective health and safety management requires the identification of workplace hazards and the implementation of appropriate control measures. The following hazards have been identified within the ASLC work environment, along with corresponding controls.

General Requirements:

-        Encouraging response within scope of training;

-        Regular inspection and maintenance of equipment; and

-        Ensuring first aid and AED awareness training;

Hazard Specific Requirements (list may not be exhaustive as circumstances change):

Physical hazards include:

-        Cold and wet conditions and risk of hypothermia.

-        Heat exposure and risk of heat-related illness;

-        Sun exposure and risk of burns;

-        Stored equipment and materials, including pressurized containers (e.g., propane tanks).

-        Wet or slippery conditions;

-        Docks and waterfront structures (e.g., slips, splinters, exposed nails);

-        Uneven ground and walking surfaces;

Physical hazard controls include:

-        Training on recognition and prevention of heat and cold-related illness;

-        Encouraging hydration and appropriate clothing;

-        Access to shelter for warming or cooling;

-        Provision of shaded areas;

-        Immediate reporting of unsafe conditions;

-        Restricting handling of hazardous equipment to authorized individuals;

-        Ensuring propane tanks are secured, stored upright, and maintained in designated areas;

-        Prompt repair or removal of hazards; and

-        Regular workplace inspections, including docks and high-traffic areas.

Ergonomic Hazards include:

-        Prolonged standing or sitting; and

-        Lifting or assisting children or equipment.

Ergonomic hazard controls include:

-        Providing access to safe and stable seating where appropriate;

-        Encouraging movement and position changes; and

-        Training on safe lifting techniques.

Chemical Hazards include:

-         Exposure to cleaning products and disinfectants;

-         Fuels and flammable substances (e.g., gasoline, propane);

-         Paints, stains, and other maintenance-related products; and

-         First aid substances and other chemical agents used on site.

Chemical hazard controls include:

-        Compliance with Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) requirements;

-        Ensuring hazardous products are properly labelled and stored;

-        Maintaining access to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) where required;

-        Providing basic training and awareness on safe handling of chemical products;

-        Restricting use of hazardous substances to authorized individuals where appropriate;

-        Ensuring adequate ventilation when using chemical products; and

-        Prompt reporting of spills, exposures, or unsafe condition.

Biological Hazards include:

-        Exposure to communicable diseases (e.g., skin infections, respiratory illness); and

-        Exposure of cuts or abrasions to soil (tetanus risk).

Biological hazard controls include:

-     Prompt reporting and management of exposures;

-     Requiring workers to refrain from attending work when ill;

-     Reinforcing hygiene and first aid practices; and

-     Encouraging vaccinations, including tetanus, to be up to date.

Psychological hazards include:

-        Situations involving limited control;

-        High workload during peak periods; and

-        Stress from interactions with children, parents, or the public.

Psychological hazard controls include:

-        Supportive supervision and communication;

-        Appropriate staffing where feasible;

-        Ensuring workers know how to seek assistance;

-        Clear lines of supervision and reporting.

5.         Compliance

Employees who fail to observe safety rules, to use safety equipment provided and to practice safety at all times will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment for cause.

6.         Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated to align with evolving industry standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.