About Us

Foreward

1. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces are high risk organizations. As such, a dynamic, innovative, proactive, adequately-funded safety program with demonstrated and visible support from senior management and all members of the CF and civilian employees remains necessary.
2. The Directorate of General Safety (D Safe G) has developed a comprehensive General Safety Program which encompasses occupational health and safety policies and guidelines to ensure that occupational health and safety considerations are incorporated in every aspect of departmental operations, as well as training and support activities of DND and the CF. The Program also provides safety guidelines for some off-duty activities. However, without the active involvement and participation of all DND personnel and CF members, the Program cannot be effective.
3. The General Safety Program contributes to the achievement of operational effectiveness by reducing accident-related injuries and material losses and by enhancing the overall well-being of employees. The program provides commanders with various management tools and techniques to reduce their accidental losses. As it would be impractical to expect an effective general safety program to arise spontaneously in every workplace without a significant investment in management resources and since the program can be perceived to contribute only indirectly to the achievement of commanders' objectives, line managers must be provided with a high level of corporate support to ensure that attention and resources are not diverted from the primary mission.

Accountability

4. Commanders, senior managers, commanding officers, leaders, managers and supervisors at all levels are responsible, accountable and liable for the safety of their personnel. Safety is a line responsibility and accountability rests with each echelon in the chain of command from the Commander through the person in charge to the individuals who are responsible for their own safety and that of those around them. The Directorate of Safety General and the General Safety Officers (GSOs) are advisors to the line authority.

Mission

5. The mission of the Directorate of General Safety is to develop, co-ordinate, promulgate and administer the DND/CF General Safety Program which provides the framework and policies upon which the Environmental Chiefs of Staff and Group Principals formulate and implement their specific programs to minimize accident related injuries and losses.

Vision

6. The Directorate of General Safety will develop and administer a General Safety Program which meets the legislated requirements of the Canada Labour Code Part II and which provides guidance and direction to reduce accidents in order to add to the operational effectiveness of DND and the CF, minimize personal suffering and financial losses, and contribute to the morale and well-being of all personnel.

Program description

7. The Directorate is organized into three sections as illustrated.

Activities

8. D Safe G provides general safety related services and support in areas such as legislation, regulations, policies, standards and precautions; liaison with unions, other departments, agencies and industry; performance monitoring; DND publications and training manuals; courses; posters, literature and films; clarification and advice; management information and trend analysis; and hazardous material safety. The Directorate also undertakes to provide direction and support in dealing with emerging safety initiatives and technologies.

Roles

9. To accomplish its mission, the Directorate performs the following roles:

1. Policy and Framework

Develops and promulgates the policies and framework upon which DND/CF organizations formulate and implement their specific programs by:

• participating on interdepartmental committees established to amend or to develop new laws, regulations, policies, standards and precautions;
• reviewing safety related activities and literature to ensure the General Safety Programx remains current;
• developing plans and programs, and co-ordinating with other safety disciplines as necessary;
• developing, writing, publishing and issuing DND/CF policies, standards and precautions and amend publications as necessary;
• monitoring general safety performance;
• maintaining close contact with unions, other departments, agencies and industry thereby maintaining DND/CF interests;
• consulting and negotiating with union representatives regarding their safety concerns;
• explaining policies and programs;
• promoting union involvement and participation in safety programs and activities; and
• keeping abreast of emerging trends, ensure good relations and establish a high public image.
2. Training and Education

Plans and co-ordinates General Safety training by:

• monitoring DND and external safety training;
• conducting course evaluations and modifying or develop training requirements accordingly;
• determining annual training requirements and communicating allocations to commands, obtain and manage training budgets;
• arranging contracts for instructors, guest lecturers and facilities, and provide instructors with appropriate training materials;
• reviewing and updating student manuals by editing, publishing, stocking and distributing;
• procuring and maintaining training materials and training aids and review, procure and distribute safety films/videos; and
• co-ordinating NDHQ sponsored courses including support services, and instruct as required.
3. Promotion and Motivation

Develops, procures and distributes promotional and motivational material by:

• promoting the implementation of policies, standards and precautions through the media;
• promoting "Well Done" and Suggestion Awards, and Safety Campaigns;
• creating, editing, producing and publishing the Safety Digest; and
• creating safety themes and publishing posters.
4. Occupational Health
• developing the Civilian Employee Occupational Health Program for DND;
• monitoring the program for effectiveness.
• providing departmental liaison to the Occupational Health and Safety Program of Health Canada; and
• determining the occupational health and safety services to be provided by the Program.
5. Return to Work (RTW) Program
• developing and promulgating the policies and framework upon which DND organizations formulate and implement their Return to Work Programs;
• co-chairing the National Return to Work Committee;
• developing and providing Return to Work training and promotional and motivational material; and
• administering the departmental Return to Work Program.
6. Interpretation and Consulting Services

Provides technical advice and direction, and interpretation and safety consulting services by:

• responding to safety queries and making recommendations on safety related topics;
• providing interpretation of regulations, policies, standards, precautions and other regulatory instruments;
• reviewing and commenting on the recommended preventive measures in boards of inquiry and summary investigations;
• liasing and advising on safety issues related to command / area / formation / base / station / unit workplace committee / council meetings’ minutes;
• participating in the deliberations of the National Joint Council; and
• preparing and providing briefings/presentations to command / area / formation / base / station / unit and NDHQ organizations when appropriate.
7. Accident Information and Analysis System:

Administers the General Safety Hazardous Occurrence Information System by:

• being the Business Process Owner of the Human Resource Management System Health & Safety Module;
• providing the policy and procedures on occurrence reporting;
• writing or modifying report generating programs to produce periodic and "Ad Hoc" statistical reports,
• updating hazardous occurrence statistics;
• receiving and reviewing Summary Investigations on injuries, fire, MSE accident and significant incident messages and providing direction on general safety concerns;
• conducting trend analysis on a national basis and initiating appropriate action.