Oliver Deputy Fire Chief Bob Graham and firefighter Dwayne Emery gave the 1st Oliver Cubs a demonstration on how fire extinguishers work Monday night at Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary School.
Lionel Trudel photo
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has unveiled an action plan to deal with shortcomings revealed in a health and safety audit last spring.
“In total, there are 58 items that require varying levels of attention,” explained Human Resources Manager Diane Pearce. “We have prioritized these items and will begin working on them right away.”
Many of the items involve the regional district’s relationship with its community services organizations – volunteer fire departments and recreation boards.
“It’s not that these organizations are not practicing effective health and safety programming; it’s just that our programming is not consistent. The auditor expressed concerns about that.”
In the report, the auditor notes the regional district has unique operations associated with parks and recreation and volunteer fire departments and that it takes “a very ‘hands-off’ approach” to these operations.
The action plan is the result of a joint health and safety committee review undertaken through the summer months following the return of a health and safety audit conducted by the BC Municipal Safety Association.
“We’re very happy to have participated in the audit and recognize the value it provides to our organization,” Pearce said. “It provides critical and expert information that will assist the regional district in improving its health and safety programming.”
The association administers the Certificate of Recognition (COR) measurement program on behalf of WorkSafeBC. Employers who achieve COR status receive a partial rebate of WorkSafeBC premiums.
The regional district was successful in achieving COR certification in 2010, becoming the first local government organization in British Columbia to achieve that standard. Since 2010, only 16 other local government organizations, mostly larger municipalities in the Lower Mainland, have attained COR status.
“The regional district provides a healthy and safe environment for all workers,” Pearce said. “The COR certification sets a higher standard by developing systems that exceed regulatory requirements and incorporate best practices.”
