What is the Internal Responsibility System?
A culture is a group’s shared attitudes, beliefs, and values. When you consider this definition; a safety culture is a shared attitude and belief that
safety is a value guiding an organization, meaning safety influences every decision made by an organization while pursuing the best care for the
residents and their families. One important way that safety culture is established in an organization is thru the implementation of what’s known
as the Internal Responsibility System .
The internal responsibility system puts into place an employer-worker relationship that ensures a safe and healthy workplace. Your site health and safety (HS) committee is the best way for this relationship to be fostered for the purpose of improving workplace health and safety.
How does the Internal Responsibility System work?
The internal responsibility system is the underlying philosophy of occupational health and safety legislation across Canada. Its foundation is
that everyone in the workplace, both workers and employers are responsible for his or her own safety and for the safety of their co-workers. Acts and regulations do not always impose or prescribe specific steps for compliance. Instead, it holds employers responsible for determining such steps to ensure the health and safety of all workers.
The internal responsibility system does the following:
• Creates collaboration and sharing of information
• Promotes safety culture and communication
• Promotes best practice
• Helps develop self-reliance
• Ensures compliance
Each person or group in the workplace shares the responsibility for health and safety at the site and works collaboratively to solve issues and make improvements. Bethany is responsible for maintaining policies and procedures to ensure a safe workplace, while employees are responsible for following safe work practices and reporting safety hazards to their supervisor and/or site HS rep.
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. Reporting incidents and hazards is an important first step. Volunteering for your site’s health and safety committee is another. Be part of the solutions and have a say!
Additional Resources:
Article – The Basics of a Strong Culture
Video – Working Together to Make the Workplace Better
Video – Organizational Culture
For more information, please contact:
Lesley MacKinnon
Manager, Safety
Lesley.Mackinnon@BethanySeniors.com
Or
Site OHS Committee Chair or RepresentativeLifeWorks supports employee health and well-being.
Bethany employees have access to a wide range of resources such as:
- LifeWorks Blog
- Webinars and Events
- 24/7 Specialist Counselling
Bethanycaresociety.lifeworks.com
username: bcs
Password: eap
Phone: 1-877-207-8833
Phone App: LifeWorks WorkAngel
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