Safety and Health week starts May 6th
As Benjamin Franklin famously said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
Safety and Health Week, May 6 to 11, promotes the prevention of injury and illness at work, as well as at home and in the community. Here are steps to follow to stay safe while working at Mount Royal:
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The first step in safety is The Right To Know. Knowledge is key to staying safe while at work. Consistently ask yourself:
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What can hurt me or what could go wrong while I am completing this task?
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What can I do to keep myself from getting hurt while doing this task?
Once you ask the questions, use your answers to keep yourself safe. If you don’t know an answer to one of your questions, ask your supervisor or EH&S for Guidance. You have now completed a hazard assessment.
Role-specific hazard assessments can be found on this webpage.
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The Second Step to safety is The Right to Participate in your personal safety.
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Think about what you are doing.
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If you think something is unsafe, STOP and make it safe. If you don’t know how or are unsure, ask your supervisor or EH&S.
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Talk about safety, and how you do things. Show your co-workers and friends how to do their work more safely.
Refusing to do unsafe work is everyone's right and should be used when required. If everyone understands and follows their right to know and their right to participate, there should not be unsafe work to refuse. Stopping work to make it safe is not refusing to work, just good sense.
Questions about health and safety? You've come to the right place.
We are the Environmental Health & Safety Team. The fastest way to reach us is by emailing EHS@mtroyal.ca.
Our Just Cause
To foster a MRU community that incorporates health and safety at work, at home and as part of the local community through conversation, discussion, example and mentorship.
Our Mission
We are a service provider to the MRU community. We provide:
- Confidential advice & resources for employees
- Support for OHS regulatory compliance
- A framework to build health and safety practices.
This is accomplished through conversation, discussion, research and collaboration to:
- Provide safety expertise and mentorship to safety groups across campus
- Develop and support safety processes (safety programs, guidelines, procedures and investigations)
- Deliver health & safety training
- Communicate safety insights & topics
- Support the MRU Leadership Group
Mandatory employee health and safety training
Mount Royal is committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment that empowers our campus community to live by our shared values as we work to fulfill our mission and vision. If you are a new employee or have not completed your required health and safety training, click here to get started. Visit the frequently asked questions page for more information.
What do I do if I was involved in or witnessed an INCIDENT or EMERGENCY?
Step 1: Notification of the Incident or Emergency
- Notify people in the immediate area of the situation so they can evacuate, avoid the area or assist, as appropriate.
- If the incident is life-threatening, call 9-1-1, then notify Security Services at 403.440.5900 or by using one of the emergency phones on campus.
- If the incident is non-life threatening, but you still need assistance (e.g. first aid, security concern, chemical spill), notify Security Services, 403.440.5900.
Step 2: Report the Safety Incident
- Report the incident to your direct Supervisor.
- Submit all safety incidents (injuries, property damage, hazardous environmental spill, or close calls) to the Injury / Incident Report Form.
Step 3: Investigate the Safety Incident
- EH&S will work with you and your Supervisor to investigate the incident to determine why and how it happened, and to determine controls to prevent that type of incident from happening again.
Health and safety is everyone's responsibility.
Did you know that both employees and employers have responsibilities for health & safety specifically described in Alberta legislation?
- MRU needs to take care to protect your health & safety, and resolve health & safety concerns in a timely manner.
- You need to take care to protect your health & safety and those around you, cooperate with MRU to protect the health & safety all workers, and refrain from causing or participating in harassment or violence.
With these responsibilities, you also have three Worker's Rights in the workplace.
- The right to know about the hazards and controls in place at MRU.
- The right to participate in health and safety decisions at MRU.
- The right to refuse dangerous work at MRU.
Health and safety isn't important only at work. What you do at home can affect your work. Breaking bones if you fall off a ladder at home can mean students or your co-workers are affected by your injury or absence. Car accident? That too.
Here are some ways you can promote health and safety in the workplace.
- Lead by example.
- Take responsibility for your own and others' safety in the workplace.
- Participate in workplace hazard assessments, inspections, training and other safety initiatives.
- Report all unsafe acts, conditions and incidents (including close calls) within 24 hours to your direct supervisor and to EH&S via the Injury / Incident Report form.
- Correct hazards immediately if you are trained and it is safe to do so; otherwise report the hazard to EH&S, Facilities Management or Security Services to address.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment when a potential hazardous condition exists.
- Stay clear of contractor work zones.
- Practice good housekeeping and keep your work space clean, tidy and free of hazards.
- Know and understand emergency response and evacuation procedures.
- Ensure you have the appropriate safety training prior to performing hazardous tasks (e.g. WHMIS training when working with or near hazardous materials; fall protection training when working at heights).
- Avoid using handheld communication devices (e.g. cell phones, radios) when operating mobile equipment, vehicles or walking.
- Inspect all tools and equipment prior to use and ensure they are maintained as per manufacturer's specifications, including step stools.
- Ensure you are fit for duty (physically, mentally and emotionally) and are able to safety perform necessary work tasks. This includes being free from the influence of drugs (legal or illegal) and alcohol.
Whether you are a new or current MRU Faculty, Staff or Exempt employee, you can start learning about health and safety by completing the required safety training on Blackboard. If you cannot access Blackboard, please contact ehs@mtroyal.ca to be added.
- MRU Safety Orientation
- MRU WHMIS Training 2021
Now that you've completed the safety orientation training, and you know what hazards and controls are, you can review the two hazard assessments that MRU is required to provide you with. Once you've reviewed the hazard assessment, you can ask you supervisor any questions about what's contained in the hazard assessments, and then both of you can sign the document. (Why do we sign hazard assessments? See the end of the respective documents.)
- Position Hazard Assessment Signoff (to be completed annually)
- Respiratory Illnesses Hazard Assessment Signoff (previously the 'COVID Hazard Assessment')
Once you've completed your training and hazard assessment signoff, please record your completion using this Google Form.
Do you need more training?
If additional training is identified on your Position Hazard Assessment, you are required to complete one or more of the following courses. Please contact ehs@mtroyal.ca for addition to the EH&S Blackboard courses.
- Respiratory Protection (Blackboard course)
- Hearing Conservation (Blackboard course)
- Laboratory Safety or Biosafety Courses (contact labsafety@mtroyal.ca)
All MRU management are required to complete the following training in addition to the employee training above. Please contact ehs@mtroyal.ca on how to access the Leadersdhip training in D2L.
To record your completed training please use this Google Form.
Mount Royal University is committed to providing, promoting and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment and supporting the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of all Employees. (Read the Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention Policy.)
Harassment and violence are defined as workplace hazards in the current Alberta Occupational Health & Safety Act. The act outlines the responsibilities of employers to help prevent workplace harassment and violence and address incidents when they occur.
At MRU, employee related harassment and bullying complaints are addressed by the Human Resources Department. (Workplace Violence and Harassment Incident Report Form)
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If you believe you have been the victim of harassment or bullying at work, please reach out to your HR Business Partner or the MRU Safe Disclosure Advisor . They can discuss informal approaches to your concerns and provide you with further information in the event of a formal complaint. The list of HR Business Partners can be found in the Human Resources Liaison Guide on the Employee Resources & Timesheets page of MyMRU. Employees eligible for benefits also have access to coaching, counselling and various support services through the Employee & Family Assistance Program. This benefit is offered through an independent third party, Homewood Health. |
Laboratory safety involves an awareness of the potential hazards and sources of danger that can exist within a laboratory setting.
It is important that employees and students understand the minimum requirements for working safely in a laboratory. Through safe work guidelines, safe work procedures and safety training, employees and students are given the knowledge and skills to recognize and manage lab hazards and mitigate the risks.
Please contact Stuart Elle, Laboratory Safety and University Biosafety Specialist, at labsafety@mtroyal.ca or 403.440.7793 for inquiries about laboratory safety. You can also visit the EHS Lab Safety webpage.
Lab Safety Training
Access the Laboratory Safety Manual (This is a living document that will be periodically updated. MRU employees are permitted and encouraged to leave comments and questions within this Google Doc. Only accessible with MRU email account.)
Please review your Position Hazard Assessment for additional training requirements and recommendations, or contact the Laboratory Safety and University Biosafety Specialist (labsafety@mtroyal.ca) with questions about your safety training.
Use this Google Form to record your completed lab safety training.
Chemical Inventory
MRU uses Chematix to manage the laboratory chemical inventory. Please contact Dr. David Bird for access to Chematix.
Biological Safety Training
Access the Biosafety Manual (This is a living document that will be periodically updated. MRU employees are permitted and encouraged to leave comments and questions within this Google Doc. Only accessible with MRU email account.)
Biohazardous Waste - Guide to Disposal Methods (View Only Google Sheet)
Canadian Biosafety and Biosecurity Services and Guidelines
Please contact the Laboratory Safety and University Biosafety Specialist at labsafety@mtroyal.ca or 403.440.7793 for inquiries about Materials Transfer Agreements.
Radiation Safety
- Ionizing radiation (i.e. NORMs, sealed sources)
- Non-ionizing radiation (i.e. ultraviolet, infrared)
- Laser radiation (i.e. spectrometry, experimental physics)
Please contact the Laboratory Safety and University Biosafety Specialist at labsafety@mtroyal.ca or 403.440.7793 for inquiries about radiation safety.
Ergonomic hazards affect all employees at MRU, whether you perform a lot of physical tasks or are primarily office or classroom based.
Common ergonomic hazards include:
- Repetitive motion
- Long periods of sitting or standing
- Over-reaching
- Improper body positioning
- Long periods focused on a computer screen
- Manual lifting and carrying
Refer to the complete MRU Ergonomic Safe Work Program for information on ergonomic hazard assessments and how to reduce the risk of ergonomic injuries. Additional resources include:
- Ergonomic Tips for the Home Office
- Self-assessment checklist for office workstations
- Furniture Requests for Medical Accommodations fact sheet
- Office Ergonomic Process flowchart
- Optimal ergonomic sitting position poster
- Office ergonomic diagrams
If you are unable to adjust your workstation or if adjustments are not effective at making your workstation ergonomically safe as indicated in the self-assessment checklist, please request a personalized Ergonomic Assessment using this Google Form. (You must take several photos to complete this form. You can find the photo instructions here.) Assessments can be conducted in-person or virtually.
The Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC) is a group of Employer and Employee representatives working to together to identify and solve health and safety issues and concerns across Mount Royal University. JOHSC can make recommendations to President's Executive Council.
Safety Advisory Groups are Faculty/Departments focused groups of Employer and Employee representatives that act as an accessible contact for employees with health and safety concerns, and a two-way conduit for information and concerns between the JOHSC and the Faculty/Departments.
Contact us: EHS@mtroyal.ca | 403.440.6038
| Robert Siklodi | EH&S Manager | rsiklodi@mtroyal.ca | 403.440.6180 |
| Stuart Elle, B.Sc., CRSP | Laboratory Safety and University Biosafety Specialist | selle@mtroyal.ca | 403.440.7793 |
| Lesley Pyne, CRSP | Senior Safety Officer | lpyne@mtroyal.ca |
403.440.6064 |
| Ali Virk | Safety Officer | avirk@mtroyal.ca |
403.440.8502 |
Who is my department's Health and Safety representative?
Our services include, but are not limited to:
| Hazard Management |
Hazard identification, assessment and control Workplace inspections Employee safety orientation Ergonomic assessments Occupancy reviews |
Incident Management |
Incident investigation Incident follow-up and corrective action development Spill response First aid program |
| Laboratory Safety |
Laboratory specific safety procedures Chemical management - safe use, storage and disposal Biological safety Radiation safety |
Hazardous Materials Management |
Asbestos program Hazardous waste management |
| Contractor Safety Management |
Contractor safety orientation Compliance monitoring |
Event Safety |
Layout approvals Compliance monitoring |
Mount Royal University uses third party contractors to provide a wide variety of services to the campus community. Contract work impacts the safety of employees, students, and visitors as well as that of contract workers.
To ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all, contractors must follow MRU safety requirements when working on site. The documents below outline requirements and expectations:
- Safety Program: Third Party Contractors - outlines the requirements and responsibilities to consider when hiring contractors.
- Contractor Online Safety Orientation - links to the online safety orientation for contractors (Google Chrome works best), review the slides and submit the Contractor Orientation Acknowledgement form.
- Review the Contractor Environment, Health and Safety Manual.
- Contractor Safety Orientation - Daily Checklist - orientation highlights for contractors to review as part of daily tailgate meetings.
- Emergency Response at MRU - procedures for responding to various types of campus emergencies
- Campus Maps:
- Safety Program: Hot Work Management - outlines expectations for performing hot work at MRU.
- How to Access Hot Work Training - outlines how to access hot work training through FM Global.
- Safe Work Procedure: Health & Safety SIgnage - Information and pictograms related to required PPE & hazards within the space.
- Roxton Disinfectant Wipes (blue buckets)
- Purell Advanced Antiseptic (small hand sanitizer bottles)
- Oxivir TB Disinfectant (electrostatic sprayers)
- Oxivir TB Wipes
- Microsan Encore (wall mounted hand sanitizer)
- Chemfax Handsan Sanitizer (liquid hand sanitizer)
- Forsythe Gel Hand Sanitizer (gel hand sanitizer)
- Ethanol-base Hand Sanitizer (liquid hand sanitizer)