Health and Safety

This policy is guided by the University of Saskatchewan’s mission, vision, and values. It reflects the university’s commitment to occupational health and safety by promoting a culture of shared accountability, where all members of the USask community are responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy working and learning environment. Each individual is expected to actively comply with health, safety, and environmental requirements, and to support and drive continuous improvement and proactive prevention efforts.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to providing a safe working and learning environment that is as free as possible from recognized hazards. This commitment is rooted in the belief that safety is a shared responsibility and an essential part of academic and operational excellence. A safe and healthy environment is created and maintained through the provision of proper facilities, equipment, training, services, and by promoting an interdependent safety culture.

All members of the university community, students, faculty, and staff, are expected to conduct their work, research, and study in a manner that avoids placing themselves or others at risk. Unsafe conditions must be reported promptly so that hazards can be identified and mitigated in a timely and effective manner.

Safeguarding the well-being of everyone on campus is a collective obligation. Through collaboration, accountability, and proactive engagement, we strive to foster a culture of safety that supports the health, dignity, and success of our entire community.

Safety Resources serves as the central authority for establishing occupational health and safety standards across the university. It is authorized to:

• Set Safety Expectations: Define minimum safety requirements and performance benchmarks for all colleges, departments, and administrative units.
• Promote Injury Prevention: Develop and support programs that reduce the risk of injury and enhance overall well-being through education, awareness campaigns, and proactive safety measures
• Ensure Accountability: Require all units to understand, implement, and regularly review safety protocols aligned with institutional standards.
• Provide Oversight and Support: Monitor compliance, conduct audits, and offer guidance to ensure consistent application of safety practices.
• Facilitate Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to update safety standards based on emerging risks, regulatory changes, and feedback from the university community.

To take any action deemed necessary and appropriate to meet all health, safety and environmental legislative requirements. This may include entering any work place to do inspections, ensure compliance with the legislative requirements or to assist in an emergency. Safety Resources has the authority to stop any work or close any facility deemed necessary.

This policy applies to all members of the University of Saskatchewan community and covers all university-related activities, locations, and environments—whether on campus, off-site, or remote—where work, study, research, or operational duties are performed. It includes all equipment, materials, and practices that may present health, safety, or environmental risks.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for work, study, research, and campus life. This commitment is realized through the implementation of appropriate facilities, equipment, training, services, and the ongoing promotion of health and safety awareness.

In accordance with Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, the University strives to:

• Mitigate risks of injury, illness, property damage, and

environmental harm.

• Keep occupational radiation exposures As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), with consideration for social and economic factors.
• Foster a campus culture that actively supports mental health and psychological safety.
• Eliminate or reduce violence and harassment in the workplace and learning environment.

The responsibility for achieving these objectives is delegated by the Board of Governors to:

• The President.
• Vice-Presidents, Associate Vice-Presidents.
• Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans.
• Department Heads, Directors, Administrative Unit Heads.
• Principal Investigators.
• Managers, Supervisors, and other employees in positions of authority.

These individuals are accountable for health, safety, and environmental oversight within their areas of jurisdiction, including the authority to stop unsafe work.

Safety Resources is authorized by the University to take any actions necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety, and environmental legislation. This includes the authority to enter any workplace, conduct inspections, enforce compliance, respond to emergencies, and, when necessary, suspend activities or close facilities.

All members of the University community are expected to comply with the requirements of this policy and all associated protocols. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary actions, including:

• For Students: Measures as outlined under The University of Saskatchewan Act, 1995, the Regulations on Student Academic Misconduct, and the Standard of Student Conduct in Non-Academic Matters.
• For Employees: Disciplinary actions (up to and including termination) in accordance with The University of Saskatchewan Act, 1995, The Saskatchewan Employment Act, and relevant collective agreements.
  

• The source of institutional approved definitions is in the Academic and Curricular Nomenclature.

  • Principal Investigator: A faculty member responsible for overseeing research and who has control over research grants and research personnel.
  • Supervisor/Manager: A person authorized to oversee or direct the work of others, including but not limited to research supervisors, principal investigators, department heads, directors, deans, managers, assistant managers, supervisors, and/or people leaders.
  • Worker: Any individual engaged in employment or academic activity in service of the University and under the University's jurisdiction, including faculty, staff, student workers, and graduate students.
  • Hazardous Agents: Substances or materials regulated under applicable federal or provincial legislation.
  • Legislative Requirements: Relevant acts, regulations, guidelines, standards, and bylaws at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels pertaining to health, safety, and environmental matters.
  • Occupational Health Committee (OHC): A legislated committee established under the Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.
  • President’s Advisory Committees: University-level committees advising on areas such as Radiation Safety, Biosafety, Chemical Safety, Environmental Protection, as well as Public Safety and Security.
  • Worksite: Any location where work is conducted, including laboratories, offices, mechanical spaces, classrooms, and field locations.

Academic and Curricular Nomenclature 
Procedures for Health and Safety Policy

University of Saskatchewan Act, 1995
The Saskatchewan Employment Act, 2013
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020