Occupational Health and Safety
Managing the work environment to ensure the health and safety of all employees while promoting an organizational culture that reflects occupational health and safety best practices.
Level 1 Introductory: Demonstrates introductory understanding and ability and, with guidance, applies the competency in a few, simple situations. Can direct people to the appropriate source for further information.
BEHAVIORS
- Follows current health and safety best practices and any applicable legislation.
- Orients new employees to the organization’s health and safety policies and practices.
- Monitors health and safety compliance on an ongoing basis (e.g. the updates required when a designated first aid provider leaves the organization).
- Participates in workplace health and safety committees, where applicable.
- Identifies hazards in the workplace and ensures they are reported according to legislation and company policy.
- Maintains all required records and documentation.
QUESTIONS
- Describe the types of health and safety training have you participated in.
Probing Questions
* What is the currency of your training?
* Who delivered and certified the training?
* How did your training help you in your job?
* What could have made your training more effective and useful?
- Tell me about a time when you saw an unsafe action in the workplace.
Probing Questions
* What was the unsafe action?
* What effect did/could it have on employees/customers?
* What did you do about this unsafe action?
* What was the outcome?
Level 2 Basic: Demonstrates basic knowledge and ability and, with guidance, can apply the competency in common situations that present limited difficulties.
BEHAVIORS
- Conducts workplace inspections in accordance with company policies.
- Identifies appropriate professional services available to improve employee safety (e.g., ergonomics, air quality, etc.).
- Communicates the importance of safety in the workplace to employees.
- Organizes training programs to address mandatory program requirements. (e.g., WHMIS, First Aid)
- Reports on the effectiveness of periodic drills to assess organizational preparedness (e.g., fire or earthquake drill)
- Inspects, with the support of appropriate agencies such as the fire department, specified areas to ensure the presence of fire prevention equipment, safety equipment, and first-aid supplies.
QUESTIONS
- Tell me about a situation when you saw someone creating or contributing to an unsafe work environment?
Probing Questions
* How did you approach the situation?
* What questions did you ask?
* What actions did you take?
* What could be an alternative to the unexpected outcome of your solution?
- Tell me about a time you discovered a potential hazard in the workplace.
Probing Questions
* What was the hazard?
* What were the potential implications of doing nothing?
* What did you do?
* What were the reactions of others in the workplace?
* What was the outcome?
Level 3 Intermediate: Demonstrates solid knowledge and ability, and can apply the competency, with minimal or no guidance, in the full range of typical situations. Would require guidance to handle novel or more complex situations.
BEHAVIORS
- Identifies the occurrence or ‘near miss’ of an adverse event.
- Applies the due diligence principle in the mitigation of harm to employees with a view to preventing re-occurrence.
- Acts to prevent situations that may potentially place employees at risk.
- Ensures the management team is fully aware of safety standards and procedures.
- Conducts health and safety incident investigations including analysis and recommendations to prevent repeat occurrences.
- Practices hazard identification, evaluation, and control including chemical/biological agents, psychosocial hazards, and workplace violence.
QUESTIONS
- Tell us about your experience in delivering health and safety training.
Probing Questions
* What types of training have you delivered?
* What were the circumstances surrounding the delivery of this training?
* What was the feedback on the training from participants and sponsors?
* If you could change something about the training, what would it be?
- Describe a time when you were confronted with a workplace accident.
Probing Questions
* What was your role in the event?
* What was the seriousness of the accident?
* Was it preventable?
* What was the outcome?
* What changes came about as a direct result of this accident?
Level 4 Advanced: Demonstrates advanced knowledge and ability and can apply the competency in new or complex situations. Guides other professionals.
BEHAVIORS
- Ensures ethical practice of disclosure and/or reporting of adverse events to employees, government, and any regulating bodies.
- Oversees the health and safety inspection process to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
- Develops preventive and contingency plans for emergency situations (e.g., natural disaster) to mitigate risk to employees and the organization.
- Ensures implementation of policies and procedures to ensure health and safety compliance.
- Evaluates company health and safety policies and practices, to ensure they are effective.
QUESTIONS
- Workplace violence is a common issue in the modern workplace. Tell us how you have responded to an overtly aggressive employee.
Probing Questions
* What was your role in this situation?
* How did you respond?
* What impacts did your intervention have?
* What precautions have you set in place to prevent workplace aggression/violence?
- Give us an example of a health and safety challenge that has caused you to re-evaluate company standards.
Probing Questions
* What were the circumstances surrounding the situation?
* What was the size or scope of the challenge?
* How was it brought to your attention?
* What actions did you take?
* What was the outcome?
Level 5 Expert: Demonstrates expert knowledge and ability, and can apply the competency in the most complex situations. Develops new approaches, methods or policies in the area. Is recognized as an expert, internally and/or externally.
BEHAVIORS
- Manages the organization’s approach towards individual employee needs and/or limitations.
- Oversees the mitigation of adverse environmental factors affecting employees.
- Ensures ongoing improvements in all aspects of the organization’s emergency preparedness plans.
- Is responsible for overall organization compliance and adherence to best practices, safety standards, regulations, and legislation.
- Communicates the company’s health, safety, and environmental performance to employees, the government, and the community.
- Takes health and safety and environmental issues into consideration when evaluating new initiatives.
QUESTIONS
- Describe an example of an effective health and safety initiative/program.
Probing Questions
* What were your role and responsibilities with regard to this program and initiative?
* What factors contributed to the effectiveness of this program or initiative?
* How was it implemented?
* What roadblocks were addressed during implementation?
- Developing health and safety programs often involves corporate strategy which, in turn, involves other departments. Describe a time you had to obtain support from other departments to reach health and safety objectives.
Probing Questions
* What was the program?
* Why was it important to you and the company?
* How did you go about garnering support from the other stakeholders?
* What was the outcome?
* What was the most important lesson you lear