Occupational Health and Safety Policy
Context and Purpose
Vancouver Community College (“VCC; the College”) is committed to providing a healthy and safe learning and working environment. The College will maintain a proactive, documented Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) program that prevents injury and occupational disease, engages workers and Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committees (JOHSCs), and ensures appropriate training, first aid, emergency readiness, incident investigation, and hazard control across all operations
Scope and Limits
This policy applies to all College Members at all College-controlled workplaces and activities, including but not limited to employees, students, contractors, volunteers, and visitors, College facilities, and unpaid work integrated learning placements. Where contractors or multiple employers are present, the College will ensure coordinated health and safety responsibilities and clearly identify the party responsible for overall site safety.
Principles
- The College seeks to protects the health and safety of all employees, students, contractors, and visitors by having effective OHS systems in place.
- Occupational Health and Safety is a shared responsibility. The College will ensure clear roles for leadership, supervisors, workers, JOHSC representatives, and contractors.
- The College will establish and support JOHSCs at both campuses, ensure that committee membership is representative of all employee types, and allow release time for participating employees.
- The College will operate a formal OHS program focused on identifying hazards and preventing injuries. The OHS program includes hazard identification and risk assessment, safe work procedures, training and supervision, inspections, incident and near-miss investigations, first aid, violence prevention, and program evaluation.
- The College recognizes the right to refuse unsafe work is a fundamental right held by VCC employees and students, and is an integral element in ensuring work is carried out safely.
Definitions
- College Member
- All current VCC students, employees, and Board members.
- Incident
- An event or occurrence including accidents, injuries, occupational illness, and hazardous spill or release.
- Near Miss
- A close call where there is a potential for accident, injury, occupational illness and hazardous material spill or release.
- Occupational Health and Safety Program
- VCC's plan of action designed to prevent accidents, injuries and/or occupational diseases.
- Supervisor
- A person who instructs, directs, and controls workers in the performance of their duties.
Related Resources
VCC Policies
- Emergency Management (220)
- Enterprise Risk Management (131)
- Prevention of Harassment, Discrimination, and Bullying (201)
- Safe Disclosure (203)
- Sexual Violence and Misconduct (210)
- Smoke-Free Campus (221)
- Violence Prevention (211)
Other Resources
- Workers Compensation Act
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
Generated at: 8:49 am on September 18, 2026