OSBA Office is Moving!
Effective July 7, 2014 the Ontario School Bus Association (OSBA) office will be re-locating to 3401 Wolfedale Road, Mississauga, Ontario, L5C 1V8. Please help spread the word to your accounting departments, head offices, branch locations and staff. Telephone numbers, email and website will remain the same – 416.695.9965 info@osba.on.ca www.osba.on.ca
New Regulatory Requirements for Mandatory Worker & Supervisor Awareness Training -
Effective July 1, 2014
A s reported previously in OSBA News, effective July 1, 2014 employers (with the exception of federally regulated businesses such as extra-provincial bus companies) will have to ensure everyone defined as a ‘worker’ under the Occupational Health & Safety Act completes a basic awareness training program as soon as practicable. This applies regardless of workplace size or sector. The basic awareness training is designed to be delivered in about 45 minutes to one hour.
For supervisors, the training will have to be completed within one week of performing work as a supervisor. The requirements will apply to all workplaces covered under the Act. The minimum content of the worker training program set out in the regulation includes instruction on:
- The duties and rights of workers under the Act
- The duties of employers and supervisors under the Act
- The roles of health and safety representatives and joint health and safety committees under the Act
- The roles of the Ministry of Labour, the WSIB and health and safety system partners
- Common workplace hazards such as:
- Slipping, tripping or falling,
- Working near motorized vehicles,
- Using or working near machinery,
- Workplace violence, and
- Repeating the same movements over and over, especially if you are in an awkward position or use a lot of force.
- The requirements set out in Regulation 860 (WHMIS) with respect to information and instruction on controlled products
- Occupational illness, including latency
To assist employers, the Ministry of Labour has developed training products, such as printed workbooks and e-learning modules, which are available at no cost and can be used to comply with the new requirements. The worker and supervisor workbooks, and accompanying employer guides, and access to the e-learning module (that takes 45 minutes to complete) are currently available free of charge at: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/training/workers.php
Employers will be required to keep records in the employee files that a worker or supervisor has completed an awareness training program but employers will not be required to submit records of completion of training to the Ministry of Labour. For more information, check out the FAQ document on the Ministry’s website: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/faqs/training.php |
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Enjoy a Great Safe Summer!
On behalf of the OSBA Board of Directors, we extend congratulations and best wishes to all members on the past school year. Even though school is technically "out" effective June 27th, OSBA is available to assist and provide information/services throughout the summer. We know that members will be busy with charters and maintenance programs, but we are here to help, work and continue advocating on your behalf. OSBA resident legislation and regulation expert Dave Carroll is only an email or phone call away - perhaps get caught up this summer on any issues you might have on the back burner - dave@omca.com
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How Important is Opening the Door AND the Driver's Side Window at Level Crossings?
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has released its investigation report on a school bus – train collision that occurred in Carlyle, Saskatchewan in March of 2013. The driver of a 72-passenger school bus carrying seven elementary school children proceeded from a stopped position at the crossing (which had no warning lights or gates) into the path of a CN freight train travelling at 40 km/hr. TSB determined the school bus driver was unaware of the approaching train. The bus was severely damaged and one child received minor injuries.
The investigation determined that the school bus stopped at the stop sign before attempting to cross the tracks. However, the driver did not open the door as level crossings in Saskatchewan which have a stop sign posted are deemed a “controlled crossing” where opening the door is not required by law. The driver did not see or hear the train as it sounded its horn. The investigation determined that the driver was likely distracted by tasks associated with the road traffic and pedestrian activity in the vicinity. In addition, the school bus’ frame (A-pillar) and side mirror adjacent to the door obstructed the driver’s view and concealed the train.
As part of its investigation, TSB conducted an on-site re-enactment of the collision using a similar CN train and an identical school bus which produced some interesting findings. They found that that train horns do not consistently provide adequate warning to school buses that have doors and windows closed when stopped at railway crossings. Train horn sound levels were recorded using a similar locomotive equipped with an identical horn. The measured sound values for the horn met regulatory requirements. It was further determined that the average ambient noise in the school bus with the engine on high idle and door closed was in excess of 70 decibels. Had the door been opened (as is required in Ontario) it could have increased the perceived loudness of the train horn by between 20 and 30 decibels. They also found that while seated in the driver’s seat, with the bus at low idle and with windows and front door closed, the train horn cannot be heard above the ambient noise level in the bus until the train is approximately two seconds from the crossing. With a moving bus, the horn cannot be heard until the train is one second away or less. For these reasons, the TSB report recommends that the driver’s side window also be opened to improve a school bus driver’s ability to hear an approaching train. This is currently not the law in Ontario but many operators require their drivers to open the driver side window by company policy.
As a result of their findings, on June 30, 2013 TSB issued a Rail Safety Advisory Letter to Transport Canada titled School Bus Safety at Railway Crossings. The letter indicated that train horns do not consistently provide adequate warning to school buses that have doors and windows closed when stopped at level crossings and it recommended that Transport Canada may wish to review (in conjunction with provincial authorities) requirements for school buses when stopping at and crossing level crossings. To review the TSB’s media release and the full investigation report, go to: http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/communiques/rail/2014/r13W0083-20140617.asp.
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Only Three Spots Left in July 20-25 P.R.I.D.E. Program
The July 6-11 P.R.I.D.E. Program is currently sold out, so book your space now for the upcoming July 20-25 program. Please note that there will not be an August program. The next program will be held October 19-24. For more information or to register - please visit the OSBA website at the following link: http://www.osba.on.ca/programs
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