Auditor Update

Does the municipality you are auditing have Workers Compensation Board (WCB) coverage that includes municipal elected officials (Councillors)?

As an AMHSA COR Certified Auditor, during your Health and Safety Auditing course, you received Government of Alberta (GoA) Partnerships direction regarding the inclusion of Council members in audit interview sampling if the municipality being audited has WCB coverage that includes municipal elected officials (Councillors).

In response to recent feedback from municipal COR holders about this subject, AMHSA has worked closely with Government of Alberta (GoA) Partnerships on the approval of a custom set of 9 interview questions specific to municipal Councillors which will be implemented for 2023 audits (if Council is included under the municipal WCB account being audited for COR), to support member/auditor clarity.

Communication has been distributed to municipal COR-holder CAOs, explaining the current requirements, the exemption to the end of 2022, and availability of the option to remove council from the WCB account. To view the communication sent to municipal CAO's, including frequently asked questions, click here.

The following questions have been approved for use for Council member interviews in 2023:

What are some of the key points listed in the Health and Safety Policy?
Can you provide some examples of how the three OHS Rights (right to be informed, right to participate, and right to refuse dangerous work) apply to the work you do for this organization?
Can you provide some examples of legislation that is applicable to you under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code?
What kinds of resources are provided to implement and improve the health and safety system?
What are some of the highest hazard tasks associated with the organization’s operations?
What type of training have you received in emergency response?
What is the process you follow for reporting incidents (including near misses), occupational illnesses or work refusals?
How is senior management/management involved in the performance of the health and safety management system (e.g., develop a health and safety plan for the upcoming year, provide resources for health and safety initiatives, etc.).
How is senior management/management held accountable for the HSMS? How does the organization communicate the results of health and safety system evaluations to employees?

If you have questions about council interview sampling, please contact:

Shannon Thomas

AMHSA Program Evaluation Manager

email: shannon@amhsa.net

Phone: (587) 952-2268 ext. 285

Cell: (780) 691-6449

And/or email

audits@amhsa.net

Your partner in Alberta OHS education for more than 30 years!

safety@amhsa.net | www.amhsa.net | 1-800-267-9764

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