Notice to OH&S Stewards re: OH&S Courses

EB02.11 

OH&S Stewards who wish to take a basic occupational health and safety course before the fall, are encouraged to consider taking one of the following courses being offered in May and June:

1 - HSA's Basic OH&S Steward course
This 2 day course will be offered at HSA's Vancouver office June 17 & 18, 2002. HSA pays the costs of attending this course, including wage replacement, so this course can be taken in addition to the 8 hours of employer-paid OH&S training to which joint OH&S committee members are entitled each year. Additional information can be obtained here (EB02-10).  Eligible stewards should complete a *registration form and return it to the HSA Office (Attention: Karin Herbert) as soon as possible or by May 31, 2002.  All HSA OH&S Stewards are encouraged to take this course.

2 - OHSAH's Joint OH&S Committee Training
Stewards can apply to take one or both days of the training offered by the B.C. Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare (OHSAH). This course is designed specifically for the healthcare sector. OHSAH encourages all members of a worksite's Joint OH&S Committee to take the training together, but will consider training fewer members of the committee where some members are unable to attend, or have already taken the OHSAH training. OHSAH provides the training and materials at no charge. Committees who wish to take the training together can contact OHSAH to schedule a course in their area. Individuals can contact OHSAH to attend a course already scheduled in their area (see course schedule below). Committee members are entitled to take 1 day of this course as the 8 hours of employer-paid OH&S training to which joint OH&S committee members are entitled each year. Employers are required to pay reasonable costs associated with taking 8 hours of the course per year, including wage replacement. Employers may agree to pay for both days in 1 year. Individuals must have completed Day 1 of the course, or some other basic OH&S course in order to take Day 2 of the training. Additional information about OHSAH courses is available at OHSAH's website at www.ohsah.bc.ca or by phoning OHSAH at (604) 775-4034.

3 - BC Federation of Labour's Basic OH&S course
Committee members are entitled to take this 1-day course as the 8 hours of employer-paid OH&S training to which joint OH&S committee members are entitled each year. Employers pay reasonable costs associated with taking the course, including wage replacement, and the course fee of $85.00. The Federation of Labour is offering courses in several locations around the province in May and June. While many of you may be receiving your eight-hour training through OHSAH, those OH&S Stewards who are not employed in the health sector (and who therefore are less likely to be eligible for the OHSAH training), as well as those who received OHSAH training in a previous year, may want to consider registering for the BCFL course. Additional information about BCFL courses is available at the Federation's website at www.bcfed.com or by phoning the BCFL at (604) 430-1421.

Click here to find out how to request your paid health and safety education leave. (PDF file - requires Adobe Acrobat)

NOTE:
As stated above, either the OHSAH training or the BCFL course can be taken in addition to the training offered through HSA.  All 3 basic courses cover the OH&S Regulations, OH&S programs, safety inspections, accident investigations, safety committees and refusing unsafe work. HSA's course also deals with your rights and responsibilities as HSA Stewards.

COURSE SCHEDULE
Courses are being offered at the following locations and times:

For more information and future course dates, phone the BCFL at (604)430-1421, check the Federation website at www.bcfed.com and follow the links, or e-mail @email. The Occupational Health and Safety Education Project is funded by B.C.'s Workers Compensation Board.

Click here for a copy of the application.
(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file)