Workplace health and safety an emerging priority

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Six Nations of the Grand River has been proactive in the area of employee safety since 1993. Their health and safety council developed a health and safety policy manual for the band and has implemented that since 1995.

This year for the first time, the band council's health and safety committee plans to hold an All First Nations Health and Safety Conference at their newcommunity hall in Ohsweken.

The seminars and workshops will be held from from Oct. 19 to 22.

With 500 employees in their organization working under the auspices of the band council, they take the issue of employee health and safety seriously and do all they can to keep abreast of safety concerns and changes to work regulations, Cheryl Bomberry, a spokeswoman for the health and safety committee, said. Their 16-member health and safety committee most recently updated its long-standing policy manual in January 2004, she added.

Now the committee wants to trade knowledge and expertise around issues of employee safety with others, so it is inviting First Nations to their reserve next month to share what they know. Bomberry said Six Nations wants to assist other band organizations to form their own health and safety committees, which she said is becoming recognized as an urgent priority as the laws surrounding occupational safety and health are increasing and changing rapidly.

"Even on the reserves, you still have to follow the Canada Labour Code. So we're just trying to keep up to date and then help all the other reserves too."

For this reason they have dedicated a workshop to the topic of developing a joint health and safety committee.

A number of other agencies are participating in putting on the workshops and seminars and helping with the conference organization, including the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. A turnout of 200 is expected, but they can accommodate 600 in the hall built last year, Bomberry said.

One of the key presentations at the conference will be about the roles and responsibilities of chief and council as an employer. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is providing a facilitator to discuss the implications of federal Bill C-45, which concerns the criminal liability of organizations.

Another presentation on workplace well-being will deal with the workplace environment, including stress, ergonomics, communicable diseases and employee assistance programs. Another will deal with the other side of the coin-workplace violence.

One other area that is getting more attention than formerly is emergency preparedness. Six Nations Fire Department, Police Services and Ambulance Services will lead discussions on the roles and responsibilities of the band council in managing community emergencies.

Afternoon and evening social activities are also planned for registrants.

Bomberry pointed out that the logo on the conference brochure was conceptualized by a Grade 6 student from Oliver M. Smith-Kawenni:io Elementary School. Tyler Hill won the spot in a design contest held last May.

Conference information will be posted on the Six Nations' Web site at www.sixnations.ca under Bulletins, Bomberry said.