As you may or may not have heard, it was announced that the Health & Safety Committee has been involved with the return to work plans during this pandemic.
THIS IS NOT THE CASE.
The JHSC (Joint Health & Safety Committee) have been shown draft Return to Work policy with no time for proper review nor the ability to provide input. The H&S worker co-chair had submitted a Notice of Recommendation and that was for both Oshawa & Whitby committees to come together to review many pandemic, return to work protocols. This was denied.
Unfortunately, this is not painting a good picture but we are still working hard to ensure the safety of all.
This is also not unique to DC, similarities are transpiring throughout the college system.
If you do not feel safe at work, you must report this immediately to your supervisor.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE UNSAFE WORK!
Note, you also have the right to be free from reprisals.
The college has a Pandemic team consisting of:
Maureen Calhoun (H&S Officer),
Susan Smikle (Manager, Insurance and Risk Management),
Thomas Bezruki (Office of Emergency Management),
Beth Smith (Manager, Facilities Services + H&S MGT co-chair) Oshawa Campus
Sue Moore (Manager of Academic Operations + H&S MGT co-chair) Whitby Campus.
More information should be provided early this week from the employer so be sure to review and bring concerns forward to your supervisor if needed.
In the meantime OPSEU is seeking to actively track and trace any union members who are exposed to COVID-19 and have issued the following advice in case of possible or confirmed infection in the workplace.
Do: All workers exposed to COVID-19 at work should fill out the Workplace Exposure Incident Form and fax it to the WSIB at 1-888-313-7373)
If there was any chance that you were exposed to COVID-19 at work you should report your exposure to WSIB. This helps us ensure that your rights are protected even if employers refuse to disclose. This form logs your exposure to COVID-19 and WSIB assigns an exposure reference number. If you do not develop symptoms, then nothing else happens. If you do develop symptoms or later test positive for COVID-19, then you fill out and submit the WSIB Form 6 (include your exposure reference number). The WSIB will cross reference your Form 6 with the exposure form, assign you a claim number, and will fast-track your case.
Do: Use the OPSEU Helper Questionnaire to document the nature and circumstances of your exposure and keep it for your records in case you need it later to support a WSIB claim or other non-WSIB insurance benefits
These questions will help you document potential work exposures at the onset of suspected exposure to keep for your personal records rather than relying on memory. This information is crucial for entitlement to WSIB or other non-WSIB insurance benefits later if need be. OPSEU Helper Exposure Questionnaire Directive.
Do: Members who are sick or ill with COVID-19 from a workplace exposure should fill out a WSIB Form 6.
Don’t be surprised if your employer says a Worker Form 6 is not necessary, and tells you that they will not fill out the Employer Form 7. Many employers are blaming COVID-19 on community spread and may not admit the workplace connection.
Do not be stopped or simply agree with the employer—the WSIB will investigate later. But they won’t investigate if you do not file a claim. Nobody knows the long-term effects of COVID-19 and how it will affect your health later. If there is any possibility that you contracted the illness from a workplace exposure, you should download the fillable Form 6 from the WSIB website, fill it out, print it off, and fax it to the WSIB at 1-888-313-7373. Be sure to cite your exposure reference number if you have one. Do this regardless of what the employer says. Refer back to the information about your exposure that you collected earlier and make sure you include all details. Your union will help you every step of the way.
Stay Safe,
Health and Safety Committee worker
B Chilton,
JHSC / Local 354