Toronto Fire Services Standard Operating Guideline PDF

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE ACCIDENTS IN THE WORKPLACE (NON VEHICULAR) Date Issued: March 29, 2019 Rescinds: April 7, 2017 Section: Safety and WSIB File Code: S-ACCI PURPOSE This is the procedure for investigating injuries, accidents and incidents that occur in the workplace. RESPONSIBILITY Super...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE ACCIDENTS IN THE WORKPLACE (NON VEHICULAR) Date Issued: March 29, 2019 Rescinds: April 7, 2017 Section: Safety and WSIB File Code: S-ACCI PURPOSE This is the procedure for investigating injuries, accidents and incidents that occur in the workplace. RESPONSIBILITY Supervisors are responsible for the injured person, classifying the incident, and taking the applicable actions as described in this operating guideline. Note: for critical injuries see OG S-CRIT Critical Injuries to Toronto Fire Services (TFS) Personnel or the Public and ensure all specified actions are followed. GUIDELINES 1. General 1.1. Definitions a) Workplace accident means; an unplanned occurrence that results in property damage, unintended injury, illness, or death in the course of employment. b) Injury means; any physical or functional abnormality or loss that results from a workplace event or occupational disease/illness. Such injuries may result in lost time and/or a requirement for medical or first aid. 2. Classification of the Types of Incidents 2.1. Critically injured means an injury of a serious nature that; a) places life in jeopardy, b) produces unconsciousness c) results in substantial loss of blood, d) involves the fracture of a leg or arm but not a finger or toe, e) involves the amputation of a leg, arm, hand or foot but not a finger or toe, f) consists of burns to a major portion of the body, or g) causes the loss of sight in an eye. 2.2 Critical injury also includes the following: File Code: S-ACCI Page 1 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE a. Employees losing consciousness while at work as a result of underlying medical conditions, or other reasons unrelated to the workplace including heart attacks that occur while on duty or when an employee is being paid. b. Fractures to; i. Ankle (bones of the foot). ii. Wrist (bones of the hand). iii. Kneecap (patella). iv. More than one finger v. More than one toe c. Amputation of; i. More than one finger ii, More than one toe 2.3 Significant injury could mean: a) Any one of the following injuries (that does not meet the definition of critical injury): i. Any other amputation (non-critical) ii. Any other fracture (non-critical) iii. Internal organ injury iv. Smoke inhalation v. Injury/exposure resulting in a hospital visit 2.4 Near miss for the purposes of CJHSC investigation means; b) Any situation that did not result in a critical injury, or fatality, but might have under different circumstances- including any failure or perceived failure of personal protective equipment. c) Near misses are to be reported to the Platoon Chief or next level supervisor for follow-up and prevention of reoccurrence. d) The Platoon Chief or next level supervisor will contact the Central Health and Safety Co-Chairs for direction. e) A Toronto Fire Services Injury/Near Miss Observation Form will be completed by any member who witnessed or should have witnessed the incident 3. Immediate Actions of Officers following a Significant Injury or Near Miss 3.1. The primary concern when an accident takes place is to do the following: a) Ensure that the injured person is given prompt medical care. b) Ensure that adequate actions are taken so that no one else will be injured. c) Isolate and preserve the scene to help identify the causes of the accident. d) Notify the Communications Centre as required. e) Identify witnesses and obtain their names and contact phone numbers. f) Ensure required documentation is completed and submitted. File Code: S-ACCI Page 2 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE e.g.Supervisor's Report of Injury/Accident, Witness Report. 3.2. When a TFS member suffers a significant injury, or is involved with a near miss incident, the Officer/Supervisor of the injured worker or an Officer/Supervisor managing the incident shall contact the Communications Officer at (416) 338-9001 (ideally by land-line) and provide the following: a) Classification of occurrence. b) Name of affected Firefighter (do not transmit names by radio for privacy). c) Apparatus identification. d) Platoon. e) Address where the incident occurred. f) Time of injury. g) Supervising Officers/Supervisors. h) Number of Toronto Paramedic Services unit if applicable. i) Name and badge number of Police Officer if applicable. j) Name of destination hospital if applicable. 3.3. The Communications Centre shall immediately notify the following: a) On-duty Platoon Chief or Division Chief (Support Divisions). b) JHSC Labour Co-Chair/member or designate. c) JHSC Management Co-Chair or designate 3.4. The Platoon Chief shall be responsible for ensuring notification of the on-call Division Commander. 4. Treatment and Transportation of the Injured Officer(s)/Supervisor(s) must arrange for immediate first aid treatment and appropriate transportation to a medical facility for the injured person where required. Ensure a District Chief attends at the hospital where the injured member is transported to. Note: Officer attending hospital must not be wearing a bunker suit, helmet or boots. 5. Safety and Scene Preservation 5.1. In case of a significant injury or significant incident, the Officer/Supervisor in charge will ensure the scene is made safe for others and not disturbed until the scene has been released by the CJHSC Management Co-Chair or designate. 6. Investigation 6.1. The purpose of an injury, accident or incident investigation is to discover the underlying causes in order to prevent a future occurrence. 6.2. The individual's immediate supervisor begins the investigation. 6.3. An investigation is not for laying blame. An investigation is fact-finding, not File Code: S-ACCI Page 3 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE fault-finding. 6.4. In the interest of determining what actually occurred in order to prevent similar future occurrences, the co-operation of all TFS personnel in providing pertinent information to the Investigator(s) is critical. 7. Investigating Significant Injuries and Significant Incidents 7.1. All significant injuries and near miss incidents occurring to TFS personnel need to be investigated by the CJHSC Co Chairs. 7.2. The purpose of the investigation is to: a) Determine the causes of the; i. injury. ii. accident. b) Prepare a report describing all; i. circumstances ii. causes of the; injury accident c) Make recommendations for remedial actions to help prevent a future occurrence Note: Investigation reports will be distributed to the Central JHSC Co-Chairs and the applicable Deputy Chiefs or designates. 7.3. The Investigator(s) or investigation team is authorized to do the following: a) Examine the scene and equipment involved, b) Interview witnesses, c) Obtain and copy documents for examination, and d) Request tests and review reports to determine the causes of the accident. 8. WSIB Reporting Lost Time When Off Duty 8.1. In the event an employee discovers an injury after the end of a work shift, the employee shall report the injury as soon as it is recognized. 8.2. The employee shall seek appropriate medical attention. 8.3. While off duty, employees should report a work-related injury to the On-duty Platoon Chief. 8.4. The employee may report the injury via telephone. 8.5. The on-duty Platoon Chief will determine if the injury is a critical injury. If so, they will ensure proper notifications are done immediately. 8.6. The On-duty Platoon Chief shall ensure completion of the Supervisor's Report of Injury/Accident. 8.7. On-duty Platoon Chief may delegate the completion of the Supervisor's Report of Injury/Accident. 8.8. The respective District Chief from the respective Platoon on duty when the injury occurred shall investigate the injury and the events that resulted in the injury. File Code: S-ACCI Page 4 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE ATTACHMENT(S) N/A RELATED SOGS S-CRIT Critical Injuries to Toronto Fire Services (TFS) Personnel or the Public File Code: S-ACCI Page 5 of 5