{"id":46,"date":"2026-03-11T19:00:33","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T23:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/local349georgian.com\/?page_id=46"},"modified":"2026-06-07T15:50:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T19:50:39","slug":"health-and-safety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/?page_id=46","title":{"rendered":"Health &#038; Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"341\" src=\"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/website-health-and-safety-1280x341.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/website-health-and-safety-1280x341.png 1280w, https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/website-health-and-safety-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/website-health-and-safety-768x205.png 768w, https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/website-health-and-safety-1536x410.png 1536w, https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/website-health-and-safety.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"hs-top\">A safe workplace matters\u2014physically and psychologically. This page is here to help you <strong>find trusted information<\/strong>, understand your options, and <strong>connect with a steward<\/strong> if you need support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If something doesn\u2019t feel right at work, you don\u2019t have to sort it out alone. Reaching out early is okay\u2014even if you\u2019re not sure it\u2019s a \u201chealth and safety issue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Not sure where to start?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few common reasons members come to this page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A concern about <strong>workplace violence, harassment, or disrespectful behaviour<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A safety issue in your work area (equipment, hazards, near-misses)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pain, strain, or repetitive work<\/strong> concerns (back, neck, shoulders, wrists, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Questions about reporting, documentation, or what happens next<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to talk it through, please contact a steward via the <strong>Contacts<\/strong> page. A short conversation can help you figure out the best next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How a steward can help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A steward can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Listen and help you clarify what\u2019s happening<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Help you document concerns (dates, facts, and what you\u2019ve already done)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explain processes and options in plain language<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support you in respectful conversations and next steps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You don\u2019t need perfect wording or paperwork to reach out.<\/strong> Start with what you know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Workplace violence and harassment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone deserves to work without fear of violence or harassment, in a safe and healthy workplace. If you\u2019re experiencing or witnessing concerning behaviour, support is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you feel unsafe right now:<\/strong> prioritize your immediate safety and contact campus security\/emergency services first, then reach out to the Local when you\u2019re safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ontario\u2019s Occupational Health and Safety Act includes requirements for workplace violence and harassment policies and programs in provincially regulated workplaces.<br \/>Ontario Government: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/laws\/statute\/90o01\">OHS Act<\/a><br \/>Georgian College: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.georgiancollege.ca\/about-georgian\/campus-safety-services\/health-safety\/\">Health and Safety<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pains and strains (MSDs): early signs matter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pain, strain, and repetitive stress injuries can build over time\u2014and it\u2019s common to \u201cpush through\u201d until it becomes harder to manage. Early attention helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Common early signs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tingling or numbness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Persistent soreness or stiffness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pain that increases during repetitive tasks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced range of motion or grip strength<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice early symptoms, consider reaching out to a steward and\/or your health and safety representatives to talk through options and workplace supports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Helpful resources (trusted organizations)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These links are provided for learning and reference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ccohs.ca\/\">Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 practical OHS information and guides<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.whsc.on.ca\/\">Workers Health &amp; Safety Centre (WHSC)<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 training and resources for workers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.esao.on.ca\/\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-blue-color\">Education Safety Association of Ontario (ESAO)<\/mark><\/strong> <\/a>\u2014 education-sector safety resources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.esasafe.com\/\">Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 electrical safety information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.osach.ca\/\">Ontario Safety Association for Community Health Care<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 safety resources for community\/health settings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ossa.com\/\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-blue-color\">Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA)<\/mark><\/strong> <\/a>\u2014 sector safety resources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohscanada.com\/\">OHS Canada<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 general safety news and articles <em>(helpful reading, but not an official standard)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Georgian College Health &amp; Safety Committee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The College\u2019s Health &amp; Safety Committee is a key part of workplace prevention and improvement. If you\u2019re looking for committee information, meeting notes, or reporting pathways, include the official Georgian College link here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/my.georgiancollege.ca\/HealthAndSafety\/Pages\/joint-Health-and-Safety-Committees.aspx\">Georgian College Health &amp; Safety Committee<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A quick note on confidentiality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For privacy, please avoid posting sensitive personal details in public areas of the site. If your concern involves personal circumstances or ongoing issues, use the <strong>Contacts<\/strong> page to connect directly with a steward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Connect with a Steward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/?page_id=2\">Contacts Page<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>This page is maintained as a practical reference. If a link looks outdated or broken, please let us know so we can correct it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#hs-top\" rel=\"#hs-top\">TOP<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A safe workplace matters\u2014physically and psychologically. This page is here to help you find trusted information, understand your options, and connect with a steward if you need support. If something doesn\u2019t feel right at work, you don\u2019t have to sort &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/?page_id=46\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"onecolumn-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-46","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=46"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2113,"href":"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46\/revisions\/2113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/local349georgian.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=46"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}