HEALTH & SAFETY-National Bulletin
Canadian Union of Postal Workers
JUL 22 2008
HEALTH & SAFETY
Bulletin no.39 July 14, 2008
DECLARE WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS
In a message included with the pay statement for June, Canada Post wrote: “How you can improve your bonus: Safety First - it pays!” The employer lists a number of things we can do to prevent accidents and says that by lowering the frequency of accidents by 7% this year over last year, we can add 10% to our CTI. The Corporation goes on to say that, so far, our accidents have gone up, not down, and asks us to help change that.
Some members may think that by not declaring work-related injuries, the number of workplace accidents could drop, which might result in a financial benefit at the end of the year. Unfortunately, not reporting injuries or near misses will not give you adequate protection.
- All urban operations and RSMC members, whether full-time, part-time or temporary, MUST
report any injury to their supervisor, including minor injuries that don’t require medical attention.
- You have the RIGHT - under clause 9.07 of the urban collective agreement or clause 9.02 of the
RSMC collective agreement - to be accompanied by a steward to discuss with your supervisor any
issue or complaint relating to your working conditions or conditions of employment.
- The employer MUST fill out a workers’ compensation “work accident report,” have you sign it,
and provide you with a copy. Ask your union representative for assistance and only sign the report
if all the information it contains is accurate.
- The Corporation MUST conduct investigations as may be necessary to determine the
circumstances surrounding work accidents (under section 125(1) (c) of the Canada Labour Code, for
RSMCs), and in the presence of a union representative (under clause 33.06 of the urban operations
collective agreement).
If the injury requires medical attention, it is important that you inform the physician that the injury occurred at work. He or she will provide you with the certificates needed. Don’t forget that in the event of a workplace accident, Canada Post is responsible for travel costs to the hospital or clinic.
When you fail to report a work-related injury, you risk, in the event the injury is more serious than you thought, not obtaining the workers’ compensation benefits you would have been entitled to otherwise. Also, if the dangerous situation is not reported and rectified, someone else could suffer the same injury.
