Our Mission and Vision
The Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Committee assists the SGEU bargaining units in the negotiation of effective contract clauses and acts as a resource in lobbying for more effective legislation regarding OH&S issues.
The Occupational Health & Safety Committee shall*:
- Be the SGEU bargaining units in the negotiation of effective contract clauses, and act as a resource in lobbying for more effective legislation regarding OH&S issues.
- Examine OH&S issues and the effects on the member's union participation and health as well as their work, home, and community lives.
- Develop educational materials about OH&S for members.
- Monitor the effects of shift work and continue to provide members with information to manage these effects.
- Devise a mechanism to provide the information to the members.
- Work with the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour and National Union of Public and Government Employees to monitor OH&S and shift work issues, and work to improve provincial and federal legislation relation to shift work.
- Develop a brief to comprise SGEU's response to the OH&S Committee of Review every five years or as called upon by the legislative review process.
- Develop a brief to comprise SGEU's response to the WCB Committee of Review every five years or as called upon the legislative review process.
- Bridge communications with SGEU OH&S workplace committees and to liaison with SGEU Executive concerning current OH&S issues and trends within workplaces.
*As outlined in the Article 6.10.13 in the SGEU Constitution
Committee Members
Beth Antoshkiw, Crown, Chair
Deveny Schaerer, Human Rights and Equity
Ben Essien, Community Services
Jamie Taylor, Health
Debbie Stavely, Education
Leanne Hamilton, Public Services
Kellie Sparvier, Youth
Shift Work: Find the balance
A resource for shift workers
Having trouble coping with shift work and it's effect on your life? Working shift work, whether it be evening, overnight or a rotation can be hard on a person physically, mentally and their relationships with friends and family. We have put together this resource to help members improve their health, relieve stress, reengage with members of their family and help you adapt to working outside of regular hours.
In this short tutorial each section addresses a different concern: sleep habits, family and community ties, diet and nutrition, exercise / stress and time management. We hope you find these tips are helpful in helping you find the right balance.
Explore the Shift Work Resource
Saskatchewan Employment Act & OH&S Regulations
Saskatchewan Employment Act (SEA)
The Saskatchewan Employment Act is an Act respecting Employment Standards, Occupational Health and Safety, Labour Relations and Related Matters and making consequential amendments to certain Acts.
View the Saskatchewan Employment Act
OH&S Regulations
The Occupational Health & Safety Regulations are under the Saskatchewan Employment Act.
History of OH&S in Saskatchewan
In 1972 Saskatchewan leads in passing its own Occupational Health and Safety Act, Saskatchewan institutes the concept of internal responsibility system by making health and safety a joint responsibility of employer and employees and requiring the establishment of joint health and safety committees. It enshrines three fundamental rights of workers:
- the right to know about the hazards in the workplace;
- the right to participate in health and safety discussions at work; and
- the right to refuse unsafe work.
How to deal with an OH&S Concern
Step 1: Immediately inform your supervisor/person in charge. (if the problem is not resolved, go to Step 2).
Step 2: Contact your OH&S workplace committee member. (If the problem is not resolved, go to Step 3).
Step 3: Work with the OH&S workplace committee to resolve the concern. (If the problem is not resolved, go to Step 4).
Step 4: Contact the Ministry of Labour Relations and Safety at 306.787.7339 or email or visit the website
Know your Workplace Safety and Health Rights
The Right to Know…
- You have the right to know about any hazards you may encounter in your workplace, and how to protect yourself from them.
- You should receive safety and health training and instruction before you begin work, and when your work changes.
- You should be under the direction of a competent supervisor who can show you how to perform your work safely.
The Right to Participate…
- You have the right to participate in a workplace Safety and Health Committee if there are 20 or more employees in your workplace.
- You have the right to have a Worker Safety and Health Representative if there are between 5 and 19 employees in your workplace.
- You have the right to ask for additional information or voice a concern related to safety and health hazards to which you may be exposed.
The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work…
- You have the right to refuse work that you believe is dangerous to your safety and health or to others.
The Right to Protection...
- If you exercise a right or carry out a duty under the Workplace Safety and Health Act or Regulations, you cannot be disciplined or discriminated against.
- This includes using your right to refuse unsafe work, or reporting a safety and health concern to your supervisor, a Safety Committee member, the Worker Safety Representative, your Union or Workplace Safety and Health.
Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner
The Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner’s Office, receives disclosures of wrongdoing and complaints of reprisal from public sector employees who work for institutions that fall under The Public Interest Disclosure Act.
Learn about Public Interest Disclosure
SGEU Occupational Health and Safety Scholarship
The SGEU Occupational Health and Safety Scholarship will be awarding two scholarships, and it is open to members in good standing of SGEU or the spouse or dependent of a member in good standing of SGEU and be enrolled in an accredited school.
Sample Forms for You to Use
Occupational Health & Safety Forms
- Alleged Harassment Report Form
- OH&S Concern Form
- OH&S Incident Notification Form
- Sample Agenda
- Workplace OH&S Committee Election Package
With thanks to WCB
- First Aid Register
- Incident and Investigation Form
- Medical Restrictions Form
- Safety Incident Logsheet
Resources
SGEU Resources
Occupational Health & Safety Committee Member's Guide
OH&S Fact Sheets (Produced in partnership with CUPE Saskatchewan)
Shift Work: Find the Balance (A resource for shift workers)
Mental Health and PTSD Resources
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Psychological Health & Safety Resource Centre (Work Safe Saskatchewan)
Saskatchewan First Responders' Mental Health
Violence in the Workplace Resources
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
Saskatchewan Association for Safe Workplaces in Health
Violence in the Workplace – Prevention Program (Work Safe Saskatchewan)
Enough Already SK (Workplace Sexual Harassment)
Other Resources
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
Cannibis and Impairment in the Workplace poster (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety)
Posters & Infographics (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety)
Safety in the Workplace (Government of Saskatchewan)
Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission
Workers' Compensation Board Saskatchewan
Worksafe for Life Videos
Developed by the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, this YouTube video series features helpful clips about a variety of safety topics including slips and falls, young worker safety, and communication in the workplace.
View the Work Safe for Life videos
Training
- The standing committee would encourage all OH&S workplace committee members be trained in levels 1 & 2. If you have any questions or concern on how to pursue, please contact Bonnie McRae.
- Worksafe Saskatchewan's OHC Training
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Training of representatives, committee members
46(1) At a place of employment where a representative is designated, an employer shall ensure that the representative receives training respecting the duties and functions of a representative. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 1996 30 O-1.1 REG 1
(2) At a place of employment where a committee is established, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the co-chairpersons of the committee receive training respecting the duties and functions of a committee.
(3) Where a member of a committee or a representative gives reasonable notice, an employer or contractor shall permit the member or representative to take leave for a period or periods of not more than five working days per year to attend occupational health and safety training programs, seminars or courses of instruction.
(4) Where a member of a committee or a representative attends a training program, seminar or course of instruction on health and safety matters conducted or provided by the division or by an approved training agency, an employer or contractor shall credit the member’s or representative’s attendance as time at work and ensure that the member or representative loses no pay or other benefits. 4 Oct 96 cO-1.1 Reg 1 s46.
Workload Report
This is a sample form that sectors can change to be specific to their workplaces. The form can be used in bargaining and for proof of workload issues.
We ask that you complete the form if you think there is a workload issue and forward it to your Local/Region/OH&S Committee and to Bonnie McRae at bmcrae@sgeu.org. The form would then be provided to the SGEU OH&S Standing Committee to compile statistical data for review of trends.
Our goal would be to identify what and where the workload issues are. We can look at avenues to help resolve the issues.
