1.1 Health and Safety Policy

The British Columbia Conservation Foundation is committed to the health, safety and well-being of its workers.

Our Health and Safety Program aims to promote a positive safety culture and minimize the risk of occupational injury and disease. We continue to enhance our safety offerings, giving our employees quality assurance and peace of mind that safety remains our highest priority. 

Our comprehensive Health and Safety Program operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and uses the latest technology to keep in touch with geographically dispersed field staff working in isolated and remote locations. The Program includes policies, procedures, safe work practices, and innovative in-person and online training. It is upheld by regular safety meetings, workplace inspections, and ongoing supervision and support.

We try to integrate health and safety into all work activities, and every employee is provided with the training, equipment and supervision necessary to perform work safely. Our employees are expected to fulfil their health and safety responsibilities and actively participate in sustaining a safe work environment.

We ensure our projects and workplaces comply with the Workers Compensation Act (WCA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR). We will continuously monitor the effectiveness of our safety procedures and strive to enhance, develop and improve our Health and Safety Program

This policy and the content of the Health and Safety Manual will be reviewed and endorsed annually by senior management.

1.2 Introduction

The Health and Safety manual outlines our Health and Safety Program. It provides a comprehensive overview of worker rights and responsibilities, safety policies, and requirements. It aims to assist projects and employees in obtaining compliance with the Workers Compensation Act (WCA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR). 

The Health and Safety Program is enforced on all worksites and applies to all parties performing work on behalf of the BC Conservation Foundation unless otherwise agreed.

If there is any inconsistency between this manual and occupational health and safety legislation, the legislation always takes precedence. This manual is not intended to be legal advice or a definitive guide to the legislation. For more detailed information, refer to the WCA, OHSR, and applicable guidelines.

The Health and Safety Manual has been developed for internet-connected electronic devices. Tools, forms, templates, and courses are hyperlinked within each section to improve user access.

Key Definitions 

Management: The person(s) at the highest level of an organization responsible for leading, managing, or directing the organization.

Supervisor: A person who instructs, directs and oversees workers performing their duties.

Worker: A person employed by the organization or under the day-to-day control of the organization, whether paid or unpaid. This definition includes employees, supervisors, managers, team leaders, contractors, service providers, volunteers, students, and anyone actively engaged in undertaking activities for the benefit of the organization.

Workplace: Any location where work-related activities are performed under the organization's control.

1.3 Worker Rights

Every worker in British Columbia is entitled to three fundamental health and safety rights. The following rights apply to all personnel employed by the BC Conservation Foundation. 

The Right to Know

Workers should be aware of reasonably foreseeable hazards in the workplace (from equipment, materials, the environment, and work processes) and how the BC Conservation Foundation will mitigate risk. Hazards are identified through a Project Safety Assessment (PSA).

The Right to Participate

Workers have the right to be involved in anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace health and safety. This is best achieved through participation in the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC).

The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work

Workers may refuse unsafe work without fear of reprisal or retaliation. The process for the Refusal of Unsafe Work is outlined in Appendix B.

1.4 Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain premises to ensure the health and safety of on-site workers and visitors.
• Disclose the full details of any potential hazards in or around the workplace so they can be eliminated or controlled.
• Comply with occupational health and safety requirements and orders.

• Establish a valid occupational health and safety program.
• Provide employee orientations that create awareness of worker rights and responsibilities.
• Train employees to do their work safely and provide proper supervision.
• Provide supervisors with the necessary support and training to carry out health and safety responsibilities.
• Ensure adequate first aid equipment, supplies, and trained attendants are on-site to handle injuries.
• Regularly inspect the workplace to prevent the development of hazardous conditions.
• Ensure unsafe acts or conditions reported by workers are corrected.
• Transport injured workers to the nearest location for medical treatment.
• Ensure all medical aid injuries are reported to WorkSafeBC.
• Investigate incidents where workers are injured or equipment is damaged.
• Co-operate with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) representatives and WorkSafeBC prevention officers.
• Lead by being consistently safety conscious and insisting on the safe performance of work.

• Ensure the health and safety of all workers under your direct supervision.
• Know and meet WorkSafeBC requirements that apply to the work under your supervision.
• Ensure workers are aware of all known hazards and have the means to protect themselves.
• Ensure workers have appropriate personal protective equipment, which is properly used, inspected, and maintained.
• Co-operate with the JOHSC, WorkSafeBC prevention officers, and anyone with health and safety duties.
• Ensure all hazards generated by work are controlled.
• Lead by being consistently safety conscious and insisting on the safe performance of work.

• Actively participate in a BC Conservation Foundation orientation.
• Work in a way that does not endanger yourself or others.
• Ensure that any hazard generated by work is adequately controlled.
• Be alert to hazards. Report them immediately to your supervisor.
• Know and follow all applicable safe job procedures and safe work practices.
• Care for, use, and maintain protective clothing, devices, and equipment per manufacturer instructions.
• Co-operate with the joint occupational health and safety committee, worker health and safety representatives, WorkSafeBC prevention officers, and anyone with health and safety duties.
• Report all workplace injuries immediately to supervision and first aid.
• Return to work safely after an injury and work within your limitations.
• Never work under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or if you're overly tired.
• Lead by consistently performing work safely and encouraging others to do so.

Includes, but is not limited to the BC Conservation Foundation.

• Coordinate the occupational health and safety activities of all employers, workers, and anyone else at the workplace.
• Establish and maintain procedures to ensure all parties follow workplace occupational health and safety requirements.

• Complete a BC Conservation Foundation volunteer waiver form.
• Work in a way that does not endanger yourself or others.
• Ensure any hazard generated by work is adequately controlled.
• Be alert to hazards. Report them immediately to your supervisor.

1.5 Drug and Alcohol Policy 

The BC Conservation Foundation is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. The consumption of drugs and alcohol can pose a risk to the safety of employees, contractors, and volunteers.

The BC Conservation Foundation prohibits the use of alcohol, prescribed and/or non-prescribed drugs known to cause impairment during the workday. The use of alcohol and drugs while at work can result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination, and may have legal consequences. Workers are expected to come to work unimpaired by drugs and alcohol.

This policy will be reviewed and endorsed annually by senior management.