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Contractor Safety Manual

Contractor Safety Manual

Last Updated: April 3, 2024

 

1.0  Introduction

Morguard’s Contractor Safety Manual is intended to provide a written overview of Morguard’s policies and procedures with respect to health and safety. This manual does not address all health and safety issues that may arise during the completion of work. This manual does not address or replace the Contractor’s duties and requirements with respect to regulatory compliance and best practices. For the purpose of Morguard’s Contractor Safety Manual, a “consultant” will be considered a Contractor.

It is the responsibility of the Contractor to operate in compliance with all applicable legislation and regulations that may pertain to its work. The Contractor must conduct its work in a manner that creates a safe and healthy work environment for its own employees, Morguard employees, and the public. Compliance with this document does not relieve the Contractor of any liability that may result from the Contractor’s action or from failure to act in accordance with applicable health & safety legislation.

Where applicable, Morguard may provide the Contractor with additional health and safety policies and procedures relating to specific site or job requirements, which the Contractor shall comply with. It is Morguard’s expectation that the information in this document is communicated to all the Contractor’s employees and its subcontractors.

If the Contractor is unable to meet the requirements outlined in this document, the Contractor is expected to notify their Morguard contact designate immediately.

 

2.0  Contractor Responsibilities

2.1   At a minimum, Contractors shall:

2.1.1  Comply with applicable health, safety and environment (HSE) regulations while managing worksite hazards and remediation

2.1.2  Comply with Morguard’s health and safety policies and procedures that pertain to a specific job and as outlined in this document.

2.1.3  Ensure employees and hired subcontractors are aware of Morguard’s health and safety policies and procedures that pertain to a specific job.

2.1.4  Upon request provide evidence of health and safety documentation, competency, training, and/or compliance.

2.2  Contractors must ensure their employees have been trained for the work they will be doing during the contract.  The training must be completed prior to the commencement of the work and can include any but is not limited to the following:
  • WHMIS 2015 training
  • Lockout-Tagout training
  • Electrical Safety training
  • Confined Space training
  • Personal Protective Equipment training
  • Workplace Violence/ harassment
  • Fall Arrest Training
  • Propane Use
  • General Safety Rules, including how to report Unsafe Conditions, Incidents, & Accidents
  • Fire Safety (Evacuation Routes, Alarms, & Procedures) specific to the property.

 

3.0  DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

Contractors hired by Morguard will be subject to an annual review and approval as a qualified Contractor of Morguard. Morguard at any time reserves the right to audit the Contractor or require the Contractor to self-audit its adherence to the health and safety requirements of the work performed.

An audit may include workplace inspections, visual observations, interviews, or document review that may include a request for training records, certifications, and policies and procedures. The Contractor must maintain up-to-date Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB/WSIB) insurance coverage.

 

4.0  GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1   Compliance with Legislation

As a condition of doing business with Morguard, all Contractors must comply with applicable municipal, provincial, and federal regulatory requirements and appropriate Morguard policies and procedures including but not limited to the following: Occupational Health and Safety Act(s) and Regulations, Building Code, Fire Code, Electrical Code, Applicable CSA Standards, and industry standards and best practices.

4.1.1  COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Morguard remains focused on protecting the health and safety of our contractors, suppliers, tenants, employees and the public as we continue to provide essential services to our valued Residents and Tenants through the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information regarding COVID-19, contact your regional Public Health or Provincial Health Department for additional information. In some cases, vendors and/or contractors are required to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols posted at each of our site locations. To ensure the seamless delivery of your services, we recommend that you verify the most recent protocols with your site staff representative, in advance of your visit.

4.2  Contractor Conduct

All Contractors are to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Conduct that violates Morguard’s health and safety policies and procedure or has the potential to endanger the safety and wellbeing of any of the building occupants is grounds for removal from the site. Inappropriate conduct includes but is not limited to:

  • Use, possession, distribution, offering, sale or being under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs, or illicit drug paraphernalia
  • Disorderly or violent conduct
  • Theft or intentional damage to property
  • Entering restricted areas
  • Harassment
  • Violence
  • Criminal activities

All Contractors are required to review this manual with all subcontractors and are responsible for ensuring that all Morguard policies and procedures are complied with. Morguard reserves the right to request Contractors audit their subcontractors and forward action plans to Morguard for any non-conformances.

4.3  Licenses and Certifications

 Contractors must have all the appropriate professional training, licenses and certifications required for the work being performed. Training records and copies of licenses, certifications are to be made available upon request.

4.4  Arrival / Access at a Morguard Property to begin work:

 The Contractor and employees must sign-in or check-in with their Morguard contact designate to confirm their attendance at a property.

 

5.0  REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

5.1   Hazard Reporting

 Any potential or existing unsafe conditions or practices observed by the Contractor shall be reported to their Morguard contact designate immediately.

5.2  Accident / Incident Investigation and Reporting

Contractors are required to report all accidents / incidents, regardless of severity, to their Morguard contact designate. The Contractor must provide a written report to Morguard detailing the nature of the incident, the cause(s), regulatory authorities notified, and an action plan to prevent recurrence.

 

6.0  WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

6.1   Hazardous Materials

 Contractors may be asked to provide proof their employees have received updated WHMIS 2015 training. The Contractor must follow the requirements of WHMIS 2015 including the safe use, handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals. Contractors must inform their Morguard contact designate of hazardous substance brought onto Morguard properties, including providing the most current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each substance.

The Contractor must consult with their Morguard contact designate on how and where they will be permitted to use hazardous materials prior to usage. All spills and leaks of hazardous chemicals must be immediately reported to their Morguard contact designate.

6.2  Lockout / Tag Out

A Contractor must have a lockout/tagout program in place if involved with the maintenance and / or repair of equipment. This program must be available to a Morguard contact designate for review upon request. Prior to initiating a lockout / tag out, the Contractor must inform their Morguard contact designate of the location and estimated duration of the equipment lockout / tag out.

6.3  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Contractors must provide their employees with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required by applicable health and safety legislation and as required to complete the work task safely. Personal Protective Equipment must be always worn at a minimum to meet applicable CSA standards including but not limited to, hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, fall arrest, and respiratory protection.

 

6.4   Work from Heights

All Contractor employees must wear fall protection equipment in accordance with applicable health and safety legislation when working at elevated heights. Contractor employees must not use fall protection equipment unless they can demonstrate in writing that they have attended fall-arrest training. Contractors must be able to demonstrate that all equipment is inspected and maintained as per regulatory requirements and that all personnel have current and appropriate training.

6.5  Roof Access

All Contractor employees seeking access to the rooftop are required to complete a Rooftop Access Waiver form, ensuring that all Morguard safety requirements for roof access are communicated and acknowledged. The contractor management / supervisor is requested to acknowledge and renew this as required. Where a Contractor is unable to complete the waiver, access to the roof may be denied.

6.6  Housekeeping

The Contractor is to maintain a clean and orderly work area. Contractors are to clean and remove all non-hazardous solid waste and recyclables at regular intervals and at the end of the shift. Required containers are to be provided by the Contractor. Clear access is to be maintained to and in Contractor working areas. Access to electrical panels, fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, fire hydrants and points of egress is to be kept free and clear of obstructions unless written approval is obtained from Morguard.

6.7  Emergency Evacuation & First Aid

Contractors must be familiar with the emergency evacuation procedures for the property.

All Contractors are responsible to ensure they meet the requirements of applicable provincial first aid regulations. All injuries requiring first aid must be reported promptly to their Morguard contact designate.

6.8  Working Alone

Contractors are responsible for ensuring that employees have been trained on work procedures for situations requiring Contractor employees to work alone or in isolation. This includes situations where Contractor employees may not be able to secure assistance in the event of injury. In such instances, it is the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure that contact is made regularly with the employee working alone at pre-determined intervals over the course of their shift.

 

6.9  Asbestos Containing Material (ACM)

It is possible that the Contractor may be working in an area where ACM is located. Please review potential ACM locations with your Morguard contact designate prior to commencing work. Contractor Awareness and Notification Form 2 must be completed. Contractors may not intentionally disturb ACM unless specifically retained to do so.

6.10  Work Area Protection and Hazard Notification

The Contractor will take all necessary steps to protect Morguard employees, workers, visitors, the public and property by cordoning off the work area with barriers or signs to prevent unauthorized access to a worksite. Signs and barricades may not be removed until the work is completed or all hazards have been eliminated. Where work being conducted could affect the health, well-being, and safety of the building occupants (i.e., paint fumes) the Contractor shall inform their Morguard contact designate prior to the start of work.

6.11  Tools and Equipment

Contractors are responsible to provide their own tools, equipment, and vehicles. Contractors are responsible for the safe operation of any equipment and must be able to demonstrate that all operators of tools and equipment are trained and qualified to do so.

6.12  Electrical Safety

Contractors who are certified electricians have the right to work on electrical equipment at Morguard properties. Contractors working on or near live equipment must be qualified to do so and following the requirements of the Electrical Safety Code, ESA, and applicable health and safety legislation.

6.13  Ladders

All ladders brought onto Morguard properties are to be maintained, in good condition, inspected prior to use, and comply with applicable Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standards. Employees using ladders must do so in a safe and responsible manner. Any defective ladders are to be tagged as such and removed from site.

6.14  Scaffolding

All scaffolding is to be erected, maintained and inspected in accordance with all applicable regulations, codes and engineering practices. The Contractor is to ensure competent supervision of any modification process and have written engineering approvals of such modifications. Precautions must also be taken to ensure that each scaffold does not exceed structural or design limits set out by the equipment manufacturer/engineer or applicable provincial legislation. Copies of scaffold inspection reports are to be available upon request.

6.15  Industrial Powered Vehicles

All Contractors operating industrial powered vehicles must be trained and licensed or certified in the operation of the equipment to be used. The Contractor must provide written policies, training certificates, and/or procedures for the usage of such equipment upon request.

 

7.0  REQUIREMENTS INVOLVING NOTIFICATIONS OR PERMITS

The following situations require the completion of a Contractor Safe Work Permit.

Where an existing danger or hazard is determined to be present by either a Morguard representative or the Contractor other than the situations outlined below, a Contractor Safe Work Permit must be completed outlining corresponding safe work procedures/practices.

7.1  Hot Work

Contractors have a responsibility to follow the requirements of Morguard’s Hot Work Program where work may generate sources of heat or excessive sparks.

Refer to the following documents.

  • H&S-OP-110 Hot Work Procedure
  • H&S-OP-F-109 Hot Work Permit

The Contractor must inform their Morguard contact designate and have a Morguard Hot Work Permit issued prior to the start of any hot work.

The Contractor is responsible for following the safe work practices outlined in the Hot Work Permit. Precautions must also be undertaken to prevent interference with fire life safety systems. If fire and life safety systems are impaired during hot work, notification must be provided to their Morguard contact designate, Morguard’s Occupational Health and Safety Department, and the Risk Management Department.

7.2  Work from heights & Aerial lift devices

Contractors will obtain approval from their Morguard contact designate prior to the use of aerial lift equipment / elevated work platforms. All operators must be trained and certified in the equipment being used. The equipment must be maintained as per the manufacturer’s requirements and an up-to-date inspection report certifying the equipment must be available upon request. The Contractor must ensure fall protection equipment is worn by its employees and equipment loads do not exceed set limits.

7.3  Confined Space /Restricted Spaces

The Contractor must comply with applicable health and safety acts and regulations regarding confined space entry. Employees of the Contractor are not authorized to enter areas that are designated as confined spaces on Morguard properties unless applicable confined space entry training has been received and can be demonstrated through training records.

Prior to any Contractor entering a confined space, a written entry and rescue plan must be developed and implemented, and hazard assessment conducted as required under applicable health and safety legislation.

Refer to the following documents.

  • H&S-OP-108 Confined Space Entry Procedure
  • H&S-OP-107 Confined Space Entry Permit

7.4  Site Specific Hazards / Requirements

It is the Contractor’s responsibility to be aware of all dangers or hazards associated with the work performed and the work environment and to remove and / or control the hazard or danger prior to commencement of work.

All potential or existing dangers or hazards observed by the Contractor shall be reported to Morguard. Any danger or hazard observed beyond the control of the Contractor is to be reported to their Morguard contact designate immediately and the Contractor is to avoid the hazard or danger until it is eliminated or controlled.

The Contractor may not conduct any work that may result in a danger or hazard to people, property and the environment. Where an existing danger or hazard is present, or where the Contractor reasonably believes that an imminent danger or hazard is present, the Contractor has the right to

stop work so that the danger or hazard is eliminated, or safe work practices are incorporated. For the purposes of Morguard’s Contractor Safety Manual, a danger or hazard may include, but is not limited to:

  • A situation for which the individual is not properly trained or
  • A situation for which the individual is not equipped (i.e. safety or personal protective equipment).
  • A situation where the individual believes that proper procedures and work practices are not being
  • A hazard that is not typical to the individual’s work activities or
  • A worker unfit for work due to the influence of alcohol or illegal or mind-altering
  • A worker unfit for work due contracting a communicable disease.
  • A danger that would normally stop work in the affected
  • A situation where the environment may be adversely affected, and regulatory authorities would be involved.
  • A situation which may result in equipment / property

7.5  Elevated Risk Work and Safe Work Plans (Job Safety Assessments)

For Contractor work assignments that are deemed to have a specialized or elevated risk activity or hazard (e.g. confined space entry, excavation, hot work, use of a mechanical crane or boom, etc.) a formal Safe Work Plan (job safety assessments, job hazard analysis or similar document) may be required to ensure that the work is reviewed for activities, hazards and adequate controls and risk mitigations. This document is required to be reviewed with the Morguard contact designate (person organizing and paying for contracted services) and kept on site and updated as necessary during the project work / assigned services and tasks.

7.6  Work Area Protection and Hazard Notification

All work areas must be appropriately barricaded and signed where required. Contractors are responsible for providing signs, protective barriers, guardrails and other materials to create an effective barricade to isolate the work environment from the building occupants and to prevent unauthorized access. Any requirements to block means of egress, fire, life or other safety equipment must first be approved by their Morguard contact designate. Signs and barricades may not be removed until the work is completed or all hazards are eliminated. Where the work being conducted may create a temporary hazard to the building occupants (e.g., wet floor) the Contractor shall ensure the appropriate signage and / or barriers are posted. The signs / barriers may not be removed until the hazard is eliminated. Where work being conducted could affect the health and safety of the building occupants (e.g., paint fumes, noise) the Contractor shall inform their Morguard contact designate prior to the start of work. 

7.7  Accident / Incident Investigation and Reporting

Contractors are required to report all accidents / incidents, regardless of severity, to their Morguard contact designate. All incidents resulting in serious injury or illness, damage to property or equipment or environmental contamination are to be reported to Morguard immediately. All near misses that may have resulted in serious injury or illness, damage to property or equipment or environmental contamination are also to be reported immediately

 

8.0  LEGAL AGREEMENT

This Contractor Safety Manual forms an integral part of any other agreement or contract that references it; if there any consistency between the provisions of this Contractor Safety Manual and any such other contract or agreement, except as otherwise explicitly set out in such other contract or agreement by reference to this Section, the provisions that are more protective and favorable to Morguard shall prevail and govern. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, by performing work at Morguard properties, you explicitly agree to be bound by the terms of this Contractor Safety Manual, which you acknowledge is a validly and legally binding agreement. If you have not read and understood this Contractor Safety Manual, or you accept all responsibilities and liabilities as outlined herein, you must immediately cease to conduct any work and leave the premises.

The Contractor Safety Manual must be strictly observed when working at any Morguard property. If any contractor or subcontractor on Morguard property is found not to be complying with the Contractor Safety Manual, work will be ordered to stop until the condition is corrected and may be subject to removal from Morguard property. Any costs incurred by non-compliance will be the responsibility of the Contractor or subcontractor.

Morguard requires a current Certificate of Clearance from a provincial worker’s compensation board and / or a copy of proof of liability insurance coverage. Morguard also requires training or qualifications documents from all Contractors. If training information is required from your firm, your Morguard contact designate shall advise you if this will be necessary.

If there are any questions about any part of Morguard’s Contractor Safety Manual please contact your Morguard contact designate or Morguard’s Manager, Health, Safety, Cesar Alejandro Paredes at 437-980-3964, CParedes@morguard.com, and OHS@morguard.com.