Safety Groups Element List What is the Element List? Firms participating in the Safety Groups Program are expected to implement and improve the prevention programs in their workplaces. The following Element List sets out a framework for building a prevention program. Throughout the year, a safety group must show how each of its member firms has completed workplace assessment(s) and implemented a minimum number of elements in the Element List. The Element List includes four main categories: Leadership, Organization, Recognition & Assessment, and Controls. Each of the categories has specific program elements. For each of the elements, a firm must show how it integrated that element into its management system. For example, to receive recognition for achievement in leadership by establishing standards, a firm must demonstrate the expectations of the firm in the standard, how the firm communicates the standard, the training completed to achieve the standard, how they evaluate if the standard is working how improvements to the standard are made. The Element List forms the basis for measuring progress and determining the size of financial rebates. Safety Groups Program Element List A. Leadership Put commitment into action and proactively manage health and safety. Leadership includes establishing measurable company standards in policies and procedures. It also means identifying roles and responsibilities (who does what) for prevention of illness and injury. The Leadership category includes: health and safety policy statement health and safety objectives networking orientation safe purchasing B. Organization A health and safety program is organized by assigning roles, responsibilities and accountability, ensuring that everyone understands how to carry out his or her role. The Organization elements include: roles/responsibilities of workplace parties JHSC (Joint Health & Safety Committee) or health & safety representatives supervisor competency worker wellbeing C. Hazard Recognition & Assessment A health and safety program has the tools and means to recognize health and safety hazards and to assess associated risks by comparing findings against company or other standards. The Hazard Recognition & Assessment elements include: Hazard Recognition & Assessment incident investigations workplace inspections hazard reporting task analysis records review and analysis indoor air quality testing sound exposure testing ergonomic assessments musculoskeletal disorder prevention D. Control Activities Your health and safety program will prevent illnesses and injuries by eliminating or controlling hazards. Activities that control specific hazards, the development and maintenance of control programs, and the establishment of emergency preparedness and return-to-work plans are all part of control. The Control elements include: lockout/ tagout confined space entry forklift/lift truck procedures lifting devices propane handling housekeeping & organization Hazardous Materials Information (WHMIS) ventilation Designated Substance Policy contractor/subcontractor(s) machine guarding preventative maintenance programs personal protective equipment Hazardous Waste Program Noise Abatement Program maintenance of walkways proper lighting for tasks transfers, lifts and carries violence radiation controls behaviour based safety Emergency Response Plan fall protection motor vehicle incident prevention first aid return to work (RTW) self assessment RTW program development physical demands information RTW case management RTW performance tracking NOTE: The Element List provides a skeleton of a prevention program. There are other ways to present prevention programs that may accomplish similar goals. Where Safety Groups have a prevention program in place, and they can demonstrate that it meets the same objectives as the Element List, upon request, the WSIB will consider it for use in that particular group. Each point listed counts for one Element list element (example: A.1 or D.5)