General Safety

Queen's Ergonomic Consulting Program (QECP)

The Queen's Ergonomic Consulting Program is service for employees of Queen's University, with offices on campus.

Assessments are performed by graduate students from the schools of Biomechanics and Rehabilitative Science at a cost of $100.00 per assessment. 

Consulting Services Provided

  • Worksite / Workstation Assessment
  • Ergonomic equipment recommendations and purchases
  • Equipment / Workstation Setup
  • Return to Work
  • Educational seminars:
    • Ergonomics
    • Repetitive Strain Injuries
    • Back Care and Lifting
    • Use of Ergonomic Equipment

 

Joint Health and Safety Committees

Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is composed of worker and employer representatives. Together, they should be mutually committed to improving health and safety conditions in the workplace. Committees identify potential health and safety issues and bring them to the employer's attention and must be kept informed of health and safety developments in the workplace by the employer.

In order to encourage University wide participation in maintaining a well-functioning Internal Responsibility System, Queen's University maintains eight Joint Health and Safety Committees on campus.

Departmental Safety Officers

Queen’s University’s Departmental Safety Officers are representatives of a faculty, department, unit or school who are familiar and knowledgeable about the operations in their areas, as well as any related or potential hazards and required controls. They play an important role in supporting the university’s commitment to healthy and safe work environments.

Unpaid Student Placements

The Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD), provides workplace insurance coverage for students who participate in an unpaid work placement as part of a MAESD approved academic program.  The MAESD provides such coverage to encourage employers to participate in providing unpaid work placements for student trainees enrolled in Ontario's publicly assisted postsecondary education and training programs.  Students who participate in such placement are eligible to make a claim for compensation benefits if they become injured or ill as a result of their placement. 

Respirator Fit Testing

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety has a Respiratory Protection Program in place to provide information and guidance on the use and care of respirators. This program is intended to help reduce exposure levels of dusts, fumes, mists, gases and vapours when exposures to contaminants cannot be eliminated or reduced by engineering controls. 

Respirator fit testing is offered by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety and is mandatory to anyone who is required to wear a respirator during the course of their work. We perform qualitative fit testing using bitrix and sacchrin. 

Asbestos

 

The Department of Environmental Health Safety has a Hazardous Materials Inventory System in place to provide information on the locations and condition of various confirmed and suspected asbestos containing material on campus. This system is only accessible to members of the University community who are required to work with or in near proximity to confirmed and suspected asbestos containing materials.

West Nile Virus

Information is provided on the presence of the West Nile virus in and around the University community and what can be done to mitigate the risks associated with it.

 

Designated Substances

The Department of Environmental Health & Safety provides information and guidance on how to deal with designated substances in both a lab/workshop setting and in construction/renovation projects. 

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

The Department of Environmental Health & Safety provides information and guidance on the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program