Policy Statement
The Workplace Health, Safety & Environment Committee shall assist FPSE locals to identify and assess the current and future occupational health and safety needs of their members and shall promote means of enabling FPSE members individually and collectively to develop their own occupational health and safety activities. The Committee will also monitor workplace environment issues and educate members on those issues.
Responsibilities
- To raise awareness of the right to a safe workplace among the members and executives of FPSE locals.
- To gather and disseminate information to member locals on occupational health and safety needs, activities, and services.
- To maintain ongoing contact with each member local Occupational Health & Safety Committee through a designated representative at each local.
- To work with other FPSE committees, sector partners, and external groups on cross-cutting issues.
- To recommend contract language on occupational health and safety matters to negotiating committees for incorporation in collective agreements.
- Recommend changes or otherwise assist FPSE to lobby governments to improve health and safety, including workplace environment, legislation, and regulations.
- To support the full understanding and use of the complex responsibilities each Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee has at each local to ensure employer regulatory compliance.
Terms of Reference
- Reporting: Reports regularly to the FPSE President and the Presidents’ Council.
- Composition: Each local shall name a specific member as their designated representative to the Committee. A member will be appointed by the Executive Committee, with voice but without vote, to act as liaison between the Standing Committee, the Executive, and Presidents’ Council. The Non-Regular Faculty Committee may appoint one person to the Committee.
- Term of Appointment: Locals shall endeavour to elect or appoint representatives for a two year term.
- Chairperson: The Committee shall elect a new Chairperson at the last meeting of the Committee held prior to the convening of the Annual General Meeting and Convention. The Committee shall endeavour to elect a Chairperson who has served on the Committee a previous term as a local representative. The Chairperson or designate shall have observer status at meetings of the Presidents’ Council with voice but no vote. The responsibility of the Chairperson includes attendance by the Chairperson or designate at the Presidents’ Council meeting immediately subsequent to a meeting of the Committee or upon request of the FPSE President. The Chairperson shall attend the Annual General Meeting and Convention. The Convention shall provide orientation and planning opportunities for Committee Chairpersons and facilitate their meeting as a group. The duly elected Chairperson of the Committee must be the designated representative of a local to continue being Chairperson.
- Meetings: Such meetings as are required to fulfill its responsibilities, limited only by the funding allocated to the Committee. The Committee may substitute or include a workshop or conference for a meeting.
- Observers: By invitation of the Chair.
- Quorum: A majority of those member locals that have appointed WHSEC representatives.
- Voting: Positions adopted by consensus among designated representatives; otherwise by simple majority of those voting.
- Funds: As allocated in the annual budget.
Resources of Interest
General Resources
- FPSE Locals Lockdown policies (Feb 2014)
- FPSE Locals Working alone policies (Nov 2013)
- FPSE Local MSDS software use table (Nov 2012)
- Occupational Stress in FPSE Members
(Report by Vic Catano, St. Mary’s University, 2010) - Canadian Association of University Teacher’s Health and Safety Fact Sheets
- Canadian Centre For Occupational Health and Safety
- Canosh, Canada ‘s national occupational health and safety website (CCOHS)
- CUPE Health and Safety
- North American Occupational Health and Safety Week, sponsored
by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering - Public Health Agency of Canada
- Workers’ Compensation Board
Featured
Stay informed with timely and relevant information on FPSE activities and education sector news. Get essential resources to empower member Locals, providing education on rights, supporting contract negotiations, facilitating communication, and advocating for policy changes. Check out event calendar for member Local and FPSE events.
Decolonization, Reconciliation and Indigenization (DRISC)
The Committee meets regularly to advance FPSE’s commitments to decolonization, reconciliation, and Indigenization.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
A day for reflection, education, and honouring Indigenous survivors, to recognise the atrocities and multi-generational effects of the Canadian residential school system.
Standing Committee Summit – In Person
Including: Academic Governance (AGC) Bargaining Coordination (BCC) Contract Administration Review (CARC) Non-Regular Faculty (NRFC) Pension Advisory (PAC)
Decolonization, Reconciliation and Indigenization (DRISC)
The Committee meets regularly to advance the FPSE’s commitments to decolonization, reconciliation, and Indigenization.