Occupational Health and Safety Policy

To establish and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment at Seneca Polytechnic. 

This policy applies to Seneca students, employees, contractors and visitors. 

A committee composed of unionized and non-unionized employees that raises awareness about health and safety in the workplace and identifies potential risks to administrators

Procedures developed to ensure hazard identification, risk control, worker training and compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.

A term from the Occupational Health and Safety Act asserting that everyone in the workplace has a role in keeping workplaces safe and healthy.

1. Seneca is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy working and learning environment.
2. Seneca will implement and maintain an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program that meets or exceeds all applicable federal, provincial and municipal acts and regulations.
3. Seneca supports the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) and recognizes that reducing risks of occupational illnesses and injuries is a shared responsibility among students, employees, contractors and visitors. 

1. Seneca is responsible for implementing an OHS program that:
   • complies with all applicable legislation and regulations
   • includes procedures for safe working conditions and practices
   • provides appropriate training, instruction, equipment and resources to protect students, employees, contractors and visitors
   • supports Joint Health and Safety committees in carrying out their functions
   • takes every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of students, employees, contractors and visitors
2. Supervisors, technicians and faculty overseeing labs are responsible for:
   • ensuring students/direct reports comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), applicable regulations and Seneca policies
   • confirming that students/direct reports use required protective equipment and follow safe work and learning practices
   • informing students/direct reports of potential or actual hazards and providing clear instructions and training on protective measures and procedures
   • timely reporting and investigation of incidents
   • implementing corrective actions to eliminate or control potential health and safety hazards associated with the activities under their supervision
3. Students, employees, contactors and visitors are responsible for:
   
   • protecting their own health and safety by acting in compliance with the OHSA, other applicable regulations and Seneca policies
     
   • using protective equipment and/or clothing in working and learning environments, when required
   • reporting hazards, injuries, defective equipment and unsafe conditions to their supervisor or other designated authorities
   • avoiding conduct that could endanger themselves or others
4. The Joint Health and Safety Committee is responsible for:
   • identifying health and safety issues in the workplace
   • conducting workplace inspections
   • participating in investigations of critical injuries or fatalities, where required

1. Failure to observe this policy may lead to legal penalties, disciplinary action and/or jeopardize contractual agreements.

• External Service Provider Attestation Form

• Contractor Safety and Due Diligence Policy
• Respectful Workplace Policy
• Return-to-Work Policy
• Sexual Violence Policy

• Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1

Approval Date: September 2005

Last Revision: February 2026