TAMRMS#: B06
title
Safety Enhancement Program
Presented by: Denise Isbister, Health and Safety Compliance Specialist
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That the Safety Enhancement Program Request for Ammonia Assessment Compliance Safety Enhancement in the amount of $41,000 be funded from the Safety Enhancement Reserve.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
To request funding approval from the Safety Enhancement Reserve, for an assessment of compliance with ammonia safety requirements in the City's ice rinks.
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ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY
n/a
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
n/a
COUNCIL DIRECTION
According to Council Policy C-FS-01 Financial Reserves, withdrawals from reserves shall occur as outlined within the Reserve Policy Schedules and be approved by Council through either a business case or an agenda repor.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Safety Enhancement Reserve and administrative directive governing the Safety Enhancement Program was designed to ensure emerging or urgent resources, to increase safety for our employees, could be funded through the reserve and acquired with Council permission throughout the year. As emerging or urgent safety priorities are identified this process allows an expedited solution as opposed to waiting for a budget cycle or being dependent upon tax funding. All requests put forward to access the Safety Enhancement Program funds have been reviewed by the Joint Health and Safety Enhancement Committee as per the Safety Enhancement Program directive, A-HRS-04.16.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Stakeholder communication and engagement regarding the importance of the safety program COR audit has been through the affected Joint Health and Safety Committees.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
1. The costs to implement additional safety enhancement requests identified in an ammonia assessment report completed in August of 2018 would be approximately $41,000. These requests would be fully funded through the safety reserve, reinvesting Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) savings back into employee safety. Reinvesting in safety enhancements from the safety reserve as opposed to the normal budget process does not directly impact resident taxes.
2. Preventing one single (WCB) injury that reached the maximum annual claim cost would potentially impact the City in increased premium costs in excess of $200,000 over a three-year experience window.
Legal / Risk:
None at this time
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
a) Accept the risks associated with the potential injury that could occur.
Report Date: December 17, 2018
Author(s): Denise Isbister
Committee/Department: Human Resources and Safety Departmnet
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer/Chief People Officer: Michelle Bonnici
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble