Incident Reporting and Record-Keeping Requirements Under OHS Legislation
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) of Alberta mandates that all workplaces, including condominium corporations, must establish proper incident reporting protocols.
Reporting Obligations:
Any workplace incident resulting in injury or potential hazard must be documented.
Serious incidents (e.g., worker fatalities, major injuries) must be reported to Alberta OHS immediately.
All employers, including condominium boards managing staff or contractors, must maintain proper OHS records.
Best Practices for Compliance Tracking:
Maintain an incident log to track workplace hazards.
Require contractors and vendors to provide proof of Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage.
Ensure condominium boards complete regular OHS audits to identify compliance gaps.
Creating a Safe Work Environment for Employees, Contractors, and Residents
A condominium corporation is responsible for ensuring a safe environment not just for employees but also for vendors and residents.
Employee and Contractor Safety Measures:
Require site orientation and hazard awareness training before contractors perform work.
Ensure use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when necessary (e.g., for maintenance tasks).
Maintain clear emergency exits and fire safety procedures for all personnel.
Resident and Public Safety Measures:
Implement slip and fall prevention measures (e.g., proper snow removal, non-slip flooring).
Ensure well-lit common areas to reduce security risks.
Post emergency contact information in public spaces.
Common Safety Violations in Condominium Operations:
Failure to provide proper ventilation and air quality checks in buildings.
Inadequate fire safety planning and extinguisher maintenance.
Unsafe handling of hazardous materials (e.g., cleaning chemicals, waste disposal).
Training and Education Strategies for OHS Compliance
To maintain ongoing safety compliance, condominium boards and managers must ensure all stakeholders understand their roles in OHS enforcement.
Training for Employees and Contractors:
Regular workplace safety briefings for new and existing staff.
OHS compliance education for contractors and service providers before they start work.
Emergency response training, including fire drills and evacuation procedures.
Board and Resident Awareness Strategies:
Provide educational materials (e.g., safety handbooks) for board members.
Hold annual safety meetings to review emergency preparedness plans.
Encourage residents to report safety hazards immediately via structured reporting channels.
OHS Policy Development
Task:
Develop a basic Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) plan for a condominium corporation. Your plan should include:
Incident Reporting Procedures – How will workplace injuries and safety hazards be reported?
Workplace Safety Guidelines – What measures should employees, contractors, and residents follow to ensure safety?
Training Requirements – How will board members, employees, and vendors be educated about safety policies?
Emergency Response Plan – What steps should be taken in case of a fire, medical emergency, or security threat?
