CAW Local 4304, Waterloo Region, ON, Canada

Health and Safety

 

Home

The Informer Newsletter
Events
Calendar

Contract

President's Page


Member Services
( Members Only = Members Only)

Member Login Members Only

Sign-up Members Only (itineraries)

Negotiations 2011 Members Only (New)
Membership Directory Members Only
Union Meeting Minutes Members Only

Executive Members Members Only
Committee Members Members Only
New Members Members Only


Committees

Chief Steward North Members Only
Chief Steward Mobility Members Only
Health and Safety
Around The South
North Operations
North Scheduling
Education & Newsletter

Union in Politics
Women's Advocate


Other Services

Retirees

Downloads Members Only
Library (Bylaws etc)
Routing


Communications etc

Current News
CAW News
Newsletter Archives
Mini Poll Members Only
Contact Management Members Only

Items of Interest
Skiathon
Photos
Google Photo Gallery
Historical Photos

Links
HR

Site Map

Darlene Wilson,
Co-Chair

Welcome to the home of the Health and Safety Committee. This committee will keep you up-to-date on health and safety related material and meeting minutes. Check this page for resources and information regarding important Health and Safety developments at our workplace.

If you have a Health and Safety Concern, please address your concern with a Supervisor.

If you feel the concern is not addressed adequately, please fill out a Health and Safety Concern Form and hand it in to a Supervisor, who will give you a written response within 2 days and forward the concern and response to the Health and Safety Committee.

If you feel you are required to do work that you feel is unsafe and may endanger yourself or a coworker, REFUSE the unsafe work.

You have three fundamental rights under the Occupational Health and Safety Act:

RIGHT TO KNOW hazards involved in the work you do

RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE by electing health and safety committee workers

RIGHT TO REFUSE unsafe work


 


 


NEW INFO ON ELECTRONIC (RADIO) USAGE

If you have comments or concerns regarding this draft policy that you would like addressed through the Health and Safety Committee, please email Darlene, Co Chair JHSC


What Have You Done for ME LaTeLy?


Your Health and Safety Committee has worked hard to support your health and safety interests, and to foster a safe work environment. Below are some bulleted points of items of accomplishment at the JHSC level:

  • Electric Bikes- will not be allowed on or in any GRT bus
  • Policy implented stating operators are not responsible for collecting fares
  • Enhanced signage at Conestoga Mall
  • Washroom facilities installed at Conestoga Mall
  • Hybrid hazards addressed and solutions were implemented
  • Compressed breathing air was tested and certified for Dept 2
  • Hot Work Permit implemented in Department 2 for enhanced safety
  • Respiratory Program implemented in Department 2
  • Requested Job Safety Analysis be completed to identify hazardous procedures in manually calling out bus stop announcements
  • Involved in ongoing Job Safety Analysis regarding calling out bus stop announcements
  • Flammable liquids properly stored, bonded and grounded in fuel cell
  • Ergonomic concerns addressed regarding short seat tracks for 92's and 9400's
  • WHMIS system enhanced, all MSDS sheets updated
  • WHMIS training given to all fleet employees
  • Hybrid hazards- requested a fix for hybrid buses ‘lurching’ forward while braking
  • Mould cleaned and removed from driver’s lunchroom
  • Lug Lock Completion on all buses
  • Interlock braking system returned to activate from brake pedal instead of accelerator
  • Conestoga Mall Signage – some temporary signs were erected, consultations with Mall are ongoing
  • Scent Free Policy- Workplace has adapted to be scent free on request basis
  • Enhanced cleaning schedule was implemented at HHM, floors being replaced around toilets
  • Grinder maintenance- grinders in the fleet area have been tagged, and will be serviced monthly
  • Job Safety Analysis of the brake machining area was conducted with ergonomic measures implemented
  • Silent Radio Alarm added to pre-trip inspection forms
  • Nova buses that were not releasing washer fluid were identified and fixed
  • Procedures for locking out buses due to fumes exposure reviewed and updated
  • Convex mirror has been installed on ring road to reduce hazard
  • Safety enhanced uniforms were provided for service attendants for better visibility in the annex
  • Yellow wooden beam at Charles St Terminal has been painted for better visibility
  • Lane ways at Charles St. terminal have been repaired
  • Confined spaces have been properly identified and assessed at our workplace, awaiting proper signage
  • Outdated Asbestos work requirements were identified
  • Safety procedure implemented for drivers leaving the STC late at night
  • Proper storage containers for compressed gas tanks have been installed as requested
  • Eyewash stations in the fleet area are now inspected monthly and serviced when required
  • All annex doors were set to close at the same time interval for continuity purposes
  • Recycling bins are being implemented at GRT
  • Flow Charts depicting proper procedures for work refusals have been developed and posted
  • Hazardous noise exposures have been identified in the fleet area, JHSC is pressuring mgmt to develop engineering controls to stop the noise at the source to avoid hearing protection being required
  • Enhanced Fleet Management System being developed to better flag repeat defects
  • Recommendations have been given to mgmt regarding a Violence prevention Program, Safety Program, Acquiring Collision Reports,  
  • Decals notifying of electrical hazard ordered for hybrid buses
  •  Recommended enhanced lock out procedures for fleet area and Job Safety Analysis to be completed on all jobs in fleet department
  • Emergency Chemical Response Plan developed in fleet department
  • Directional right-of –way established in the annex for operators coming into the annex for enhanced safety
  • 2400 series lighting program adjusted to allow dimming of lights at night/early am
  • Raised concern regarding reaching for destination signs, ergonomist requested
  • Ergonomic request was made for stockroom, chairs, desk and a keyboard tray will be replaced
  • Speed of back gate opening investigated
  • Correct procedures for responding to Health and Safety Concern Forms was reviewed
  • Fire plans were reviewed and updated
  • Handles were requested and installed on annex doors
  • Panic button procedures and drills were developed and implemented
  • Proper sanitization was provided for operators who do not have immediate access to hand washing to comply with health and safety legislation, sanitizing wipes for work stations
  • First Aid room requirements were brought up to required standards


Text Box: 'The job of operating public transit vehicles in urban centers may be among the most stressful and unhealthy of modern occupations' say two prominent medical researchers1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health and Safety Hazards for Transit Bus Drivers

Dozens of studies conducted over the last four decades in cities on almost every continent show that city bus drivers, when compared to workers in other jobs, are more likely to experience

  • death from heart and blood vessel disease
  • heart and blood vessel-related conditions such as chest pain and high blood pressure
  • digestive disorders
  • musculoskeletal problems, especially of the back, neck and shoulders

Bus drivers frequently report tension, mental overload, fatigue and sleeping problems. Bus drivers also have more frequent absences from work and of longer duration than workers in other occupations. A large proportion of the work absences are attributable to stress-related disorders such as digestive problems and anxiety. Bus drivers retire earlier and at a younger age than other civil servants. Early retirement is usually accompanied by disability. The main health problems leading to disability are related to the back, tendons and joints, mental illness, and heart and blood vessel disease.
Stress is believed to play a significant role in causing two of the diseases (heart and blood vessel disease and digestive disorders) found in excess in bus drivers. Typically, stressful jobs are those which have high psychological demands and little decision-making control, in combination with low social support on the job. Bus driving is a classic example of a stressful job. Bus drivers must respond to multiple demands over which they have little control. The main tasks of a bus driver are to drive safely, keep on schedule, and treat passengers in a professional and courteous manner. Yet two of these tasks are inherently contradictory — maintaining the schedule and serving the public. In order to accomplish one, the other may have to be compromised. Traffic congestion is another stressor which enters this equation.
Social support helps protect individuals experiencing stress. Bus driving interferes with social support in two ways. The job itself is solitary with little chance for face-to-face contact between coworkers. The work schedule disrupts family and social life.
Text Box: Work Factors Associated with Stress-Related Health Problems 

  • traffic congestion
  • constant time pressure
  • little or no input into how work is organized or implemented
  • disorderly passengers
  • threat of physical assault and crime
  • work schedule interference with home life and leisure activities
  • social isolation on the job

Text Box: Work Design Factors Associated with Musculoskeletal and Other ProblemsHow buses are designed and how work is scheduled may account for musculoskeletal problems associated with driving a bus. Musculoskeletal problems include back, neck, and shoulder problems. Muscle cramping, pressure points and poor circulation in the legs and buttocks are other examples. Long term exposure to whole-body vibration and impact while driving over bumps in the roads and rough road surfaces can result in low back problems.

  • poor design of the driver's cab and hard to reach or poor layout of vehicle controls
  • steering wheel placement not adjustable and too small or large in diameter
  • shortcomings in the design of the seat such as no adjustable springs/suspension, no lumbar support and no height adjustability
  • sitting for long periods of time
  • holding a pedal down for long periods of time
  • awkward working position
  • inadequate rest breaks

Text Box: Other Hazards

Stress and musculoskeletal problems are not the only problems bus drivers face. Motor vehicle accidents are a serious safety hazard faced by bus drivers. Heavy traffic and bad weather increase the risk of accidents. These hazards are increased if the vehicle is not properly maintained. Examples of poor maintenance of vehicles include faulty brake systems, headlights or windshield wipers. Slipping on the bus floor, outside of the bus or on the steps are examples of other safety hazards.
There may be temperature problems in the bus — excessive heat in the summer or poor heating and blasts of cold air in the winter. Glare from sunlight may result in eyestrain. Noise can be a source of annoyance, distraction and fatigue. It may interfere with the driver's ability to concentrate or get auditory cues from the traffic on the road.
Bus drivers breathe in vehicle exhaust when readying the bus for service in the garage, from their own bus engine, and from surrounding traffic. Bus drivers are exposed to communicable diseases such as the common cold from the public. Another type of exposure may occur via skin contact with contaminated objects when cleaning the bus or during cleanup of body secretions or fluids in an emergency situation. The exposure of greatest concern is when the skin is punctured by a contaminated object such as a discarded needle.


Text Box: Reducing Work Hazards

Research supports a number of measures to reduce work hazards for city bus drivers. Measures include

  • reduce traffic congestion (bus lanes, signal priority)
  • reduce passenger inquiries (automated information systems)
  • enhance driver security (alarm systems, emergency procedures)
  • reduce social isolation on the job (schedule breaks in central locations)
  • reduce fatigue and interference with personal life (improve work schedules)
  • improve social aspects of work (supportive style of leadership)
  • improve ergonomic design of buses (seat design, steering wheel design)

Text Box: What You Can Do 

If you have a work-related health and safety concern
-talk to your union Health and Safety Committee representative. Your representative should be involved in identifying workplace hazards and recommending solutions to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards.
-talk to your supervisor about the problem.
-contact Corporate Health and Safety for the Region of Waterloo to help spread awareness of our health concerns
-contact the Centre for Occupational health and Safety, or  Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers , or WSIB if you need:

  • to see a doctor to find out if your injury or illness may be caused by your work
  • information on health and safety concerns in your workplace
  • help in solving workplace health and safety problems
  • education on specific health and safety issues
  • library resources on workplace health and safety
  • contact one of these government agencies

Show this fact sheet to your own doctor and discuss your personal cardiac risk profile. Your doctor or the Heart and Stroke Foundation can provide information for decreasing your risk for heart and blood vessel disease
1 Reference
Evans, G. & Carrere, S. (1991). Traffic congestion, perceived control, and psychophysiological stress among urban bus drivers. Journal of Applied Psychology. 76(5) p.658.

 


 

WSIB (Workers Safety Insurance Board) interactive site:

http://www.prevent-it.ca/

Check out this very interesting and informative site. The videos and graphics tell a very important message.

Safety Innovations! see safetyinnovations.ca


Updated:
February 8, 2011 13:16


Ergonomic Hazards

Bus Operators:

-Stress

-Back Injuries

-Whole Body Vibration


snoring

Snorer gets licence yanked from Ministry! Read RUDE AWAKENING


Remember Safety when Transmitting on the Radio!

Using Operator's full name could potentially cause a security risk. Please try to use Operator ID #'s, or Route/Run


Bus Stop Callouts UPDATE

For a detailed report of the JSA, click here


H&S Minutes

2011

Jan, 2011

 

2010

Jan, 2010

Feb, 2010

Mar, 2010

Apr, 2010

May, 2010

June, 2010

July, 2010

Aug 2010

Sept. 2010

Oct 2010

Nov 2010

Dec, 2010


2009

Dec, 2009

Nov, 2009

Oct, 2009

Sept, 2009

July/Aug, 2009

June 18, 2009

May 26, 2009

April 24 & 29, 2009

March 19 & 25, 2009

Feb. 19, 2009

Jan. 16, 2009


2008

Nov. 12, 2008

Oct. 8 & 22, 2008

Sept. 4, 2008

June 27, 2008

June 1, 2008

April 29, 2008

Feb. 22, 2008

Contact Webmaster, John A. McDonald: or call 519-241-5623 | Site Map | Top of Page