Supervision
Once procedures are established, requirements for safe work, training and orientation are completed, there must be adequate supervision. Supervisors must enforce the use of safe work practices. Supervisors observing workers not using safe work practices should clarify the action and work procedure.
Due diligence requires the consistent enforcement of health and safety standards.
What is a Supervisor?
For health and safety purposes: A supervisor is anyone (faculty, staff, etc.) who instructs or directs faculty, staff or students. A director, manager, foreman, laboratory technician, and lead hand are other titles that would meet the definition of a supervisor. Supervisors are responsible for the safety of the employees or students under their direction.
There are often multi-levels of responsibilities within each department or area. For example:
- A Dean supervises Departmental Chairs
- Chairs supervise their department
- Faculty may supervise staff and students (such as technical and administrative staff, postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate students)
- Staff may assist in supervising students
- Graduate students may assist in supervising undergraduate students, etc.
What is an Area Leader?
An Area Leader is the person most closely responsible for the day-to-day direction of work of the people in a given area. An Area Leader may be a manager, supervisor, dean, chair, or other person given this responsibility with enough authority to implement change and controls in their area of responsibility.
Health and safety responsibilities for individuals in a supervisory role at UPEI include reporting worker incidents and/or assisting in reporting of incidents. The "Incident Reporting: Supervisor Responsibilities" protocol provides information on what is meant by a minor and major injury incident, and the specific requirements that must be met once an incident has occurred.
