Safety Program
> Roles
> Employer
> Supervisor
> Worker
> Training
> Mandatory
> Site-Specific
> Documentation
> Lab Assesment
> SOPs
> Safety Reports
> Inspections
> MSDS Inventory
> Incident Reports
McMaster's safety program is set out in documents that constitute the University's RMM.
The RMM programs are based on industrially-established "best practices," and on regulatory documents like Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) legislation which defines fundamental workplace responsibilities of employers, supervisors, and workers.
McMaster's program has three basic components:
- Internal Responsibilitity System (IRS) (see RMM 101)
- Prevention Programs
- Response Programs
This remainder of website identifies how the IRS applies specifically to Engineering Physics and the CEDT, and it provides information about the how the prevention and response programs apply to our departments.
Internal Responsibility System
McMaster's IRS simply defines exactly who has what responsilibity, based on their role with the University, as defined in the OHSA regulations.
The details of McMaster's IRS are defined in RMM 101: McMaster Unversity's Risk Management System.
Roles within the University break down into three basic categories:
- Employer
- Supervisor
- Worker
Prevention Programs and Response Programs
Prevention programs and response programs constitute the remainder of the RMM.
Prevention programs are the University's primary tool for identifying known hazards and implementing practical methods of mitigating those hazards.
Hence, programs like Standard Operating Procedures (RMM 301), Safety Audits and Inspections (RMM 302), Designated Substances Control Program (RMM 500), or Radiation Safety Program (RMM 700).
These programs each clearly define the specific responsibilities of supervisors and workers who conduct such work.
Response programs on the other hand are the University's method of preparing for worst-case scenarios.
These are the contingency plans that are a fall-back option in the event that an accident occurs despite the existence of a prevention program.
Response programs cover situations like the Fire Safety Plan (RMM 1201), Hazardous Materials Spill Response Plan (RMM 1202), and First Aid Plan (RMM 1204).