Seneca College has a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee or health and safety representative at each work site (https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/27/health-and-safety/wiki/view/8124/joint-health-and-safety-committees). There is also a Central Health and Safety (H & S) Committee that addresses issues on a college-wide basis. Concerns that have not been resolved by campus committees may be forwarded to the Central Committee for discussion. Support staff, faculty, and management are equally represented on both campus and central H & S Committees. The Central H & S Committee is chaired on a rotational basis by management, support staff and faculty. Margo Burtch, as your elected Health and Safety Officer, leads the team of five Local 560 members on the Central H & S Committee.
H & S committees make recommendations to the College on health and safety issues that affect Local 560 members. The College is required under the Act to respond within 21 days to these recommendations. If they do not agree with a recommendation, they must state the reason. If they do agree, they must provide a timeline for implementation. If these Committees are to function effectively, it is important that you report any health and safety concerns to your local H & S Committee member or representative or to a Central H & S Committee representative (listed below).
The Health & Safety committees operate according to the Guidelines for the Structure and Function of Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees at Seneca College.
Health and Safety Committee Members
The health and safety officer’s main goal is prevention of accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses in the workplace. Their role is to create and implement health and safety policies in accordance with the latest legislation and to ensure that these policies are implemented by management and employees. This includes the Local 560 Health and Safety members.
Local 560 Health and Safety Members key functions are to: identify hazards in the workplace through activities like workplace inspections, participate in regular H & S committee meetings (mandated by the MOL) , accident investigations and information analyses. make recommendations to the employer on health and safety best practices according to the committee’s issues and on programs and procedures to improve health and safety for members. Educational opportunities for certification under the MOL are provided by the OHS at no cost to the member.
Health and Safety Committee Members since 2015
Central:
Margo Burtch (Co-Chair) ()
Mark Khani ()
Bibi John ()
Peterborough Campus:
Mason Fraser
King Campus:
Margo Burtch (Co-chair) ()
Mark Rohlehr ()
Markham Campus:
Margo Burtch (Co-chair) ()
Newnham Campus:
Margo Burtch (Co-chair) ()
Mark Khani ()
Bibi John ()