Removing the “Canadian Experience” Barrier 

NAOSH DAY 5: Scent - Related Issues

Friday, May 9, 2014

Scent-Related Issues in the Humber Workplace

Increasing Awareness on Scent-sitivities

Fragrances are found in a wide range of products, including perfume, cologne, deodorant, soap, shampoo, hairspray, air fresheners, and cleaning agents. Although it is a personal choice to use fragrances, fragrance chemicals are by their very nature shared.   Exposure to fragrance chemicals in scented products can trigger health reactions in susceptible individuals such as those with conditions such as asthma, allergies, migraines, or chemical sensitivities.

What Can You Do To Help?

It is important to understand that some of the people in the college workplace may have a sensitivity to scented products.  If you use scented products, use them sparingly or consider using unscented alternatives.  A general guideline is that the scent should not be detectable more than an arm’s length away from the user.  Be considerate and respectful when a scent issue or concern is raised. 

If You React to Fragrance Chemicals . . .

If you experience health effects or discomfort from exposure to scented products used by a particular individual, you may wish to approach that person directly.  Let them know in a cordial and respectful manner that you react to fragrances and ask for their cooperation in avoiding or minimizing the use of the fragrance.  If you are uncomfortable about approaching the individual, discuss the issue with your manager. 

If You Are Approached About the Scented Product You Wear . . .

If an employee, student or supervisor informs you that the scented product that you use is a problem and asks that you reduce its use, or not use it at all, you may initially feel hurt, puzzled or annoyed.  Understand that it is not about you as a person or about your choice of fragrance but it is about the effect the fragrance chemicals are having on others.  Discuss the issue in an open and respectful manner, and work with cooperation and understanding towards a satisfactory resolution. 

Further details on Humber’s guidelines for scent in the workplace can be found by clicking here.

As promised, today’s announcement offers the opportunity to win some great prizes.  Click on the link below, answer a few questions about the NAOSH Week topics which were published in the Communique this week, and enter your name for a chance to win. We will be accepting entries until the end of the day on Friday, May 16, 2014.

CLICK HERE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN                                 

HR Services | Health and Safety Services

NAOSH Week is led by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE). 
More information about NAOSH Week can be found at www.naosh.ca or www.csse.org.

Thursday, May 8, 2014  

Humber employees are covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The OHSA is based on an internal responsibility system and identifies roles and responsibilities for employers, supervisors and employees or “workers”. The Act also gives workers specific rights for the protection of their own health and safety.

Workplace Responsibilities

Humber as the Employer

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) sets out many duties, or responsibilities, that the employer must follow. The overriding purpose of these requirements is the creation and maintenance of a healthy and safe workplace. As an employer, Humber must:

• Ensure workers know about hazards in the work they are doing by providing information, training, instruction and supervision on how to work safely
• Create workplace health and safety policies and procedures and ensure that they are being followed
• Ensure supervisors are competent, as defined in the OHSA, and that they know what is required to protect their workers’ health and safety
• Guarantee that the equipment, materials and protective devices, as prescribed by regulation, or required by Humber, are provided, used and maintained in good condition.
• Provide information and assistance to our Joint Health and Safety Committee to allow the Committee to carry out its duties effectively

It should be emphasized that the employer has a general duty to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.

Supervisors

As defined in the OHSA, a supervisor is a person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker. The OHSA requires the supervisor to follow the Act and regulations as well as the policies and procedures that the employer has made a requirement of the workplace. Supervisors must:

• Advise workers about hazards in the work they are doing and respond to worker concerns
• Show workers how to work safely and ensure that they follow the OHSA, applicable regulations and workplace policies and procedures
• Make sure workers wear and use the proper protective equipment and devices correctly

The supervisor must also take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of their workers.

Employees or “Workers”

All Humber employees are considered “workers” under the OHSA. Workers must:

• Follow the OHSA and regulations as well as Humber policies and procedures
• Report any hazards and injuries to their supervisor
• Wear and use any required protective equipment
• Work in a way that will not injure themselves or others: the OHSA prohibits a worker from using equipment in a manner that may endanger himself/herself or another worker and from engaging in any pranks or horseplay in the workplace

Worker Rights

All Humber employees are considered "workers" under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

As set out in the OHSA all workers have the right to:

• Know about existing and potential hazards in the workplace and how to protect themselves
• Participate in health and safety; this may mean discussing safety issues with your supervisor or participating in Humber’s Joint Health and Safety Committee
• Refuse unsafe work. See Humber’s refusal procedure for more details                                                                                                

Thank you for reviewing this information.  Tomorrow’s message will focus on Scent – Related Issues, and remember that Friday’s message will offer the opportunity to win prizes!

HR Services | Health and Safety Services

NAOSH Week is led by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE). 
More information about NAOSH Week can be found at www.naosh.ca or www.csse.org.

The “Memo to Faculty”:

• Students with disabilities who seek accommodations within your classroom or during tests and exams are required to inform you by providing you with a “Memo to Faculty.”
• If the “Memo to Faculty” includes: “note-taker” among the classroom accommodations, a Disability Services Consultant and the student have reviewed the student’s documentation and have concluded that the student’s ability to take adequate notes during class has been impaired by a disability.
• After the need for a peer note-taker in a given class has been identified, students with disabilities request note-taking services from Peer Programs which manages Humber’s note-taking services. 

First Week of Class:

• Peer Programs hires students to take notes and these notes are then confidentially distributed.
• You can assist in the recruitment of note-takers by making a general announcement in your class and/or on blackboard at the beginning of the semester inviting interested students to contact Peer Programs to become a paid note-taker.
•  Refer prospective note-takers to Christine Bartley, Peer Note-Taker Coordinator at christine.bartley@humber.ca or in person at the North Campus in room H217. 

Throughout the Semester:

• If, following your announcement, Peer Programs is unable to secure a note-taker for your particular class, Peer Programs may contact you directly for help in identifying a suitable candidate.
• If you are asked to help find a note-taker for a student with a disability, it is critical that you protect the privacy of the student registered with Disability Services and not disclose their identity to other students in your class.
• Note-takers are not a replacement for class attendance.  Students with note-takers, like all students, are expected to attend classes regularly.  In some cases, students may be absent for disability- related reasons and are then eligible to receive notes from their note-takers.   If a student is repeatedly absent, Faculty should contact the Disability Services Consultant listed on the student’s Memo to Faculty.

Revised January 2014