CUPE 951

Education Opportunities

Union Education is the backbone of a strong union. CUPE 951 regularly hosts and offers courses on campus but also sends members to courses and workshops around BC.  If you are interested in the opportunities below contact the Education Committee Chair, Barbara Gordon at bgordon@uvic.ca.

 

  • Occupational Health & Safety Part 1: November 5, 2019
    • This introductory or ‘fundamentals’ Occupational Health and Safety course will introduce new committee members to the basic principles of workplace health and safety. This course also serves as a great ‘Back to Basics’ course for those OH&S Committee members who desire refresher training.
  • Occupational Health & Safety Part 2: November 6, 2019
    • The OH&S Part 2 course has been designed to allow participants to pick up where our OH&S Part 1 leaves off and further develop the concepts, tools and resources needed to tackle OH&S issues at their workplaces.
  • Incident Investigations: November 7, 2019
    • When an incident or “near hit” happens at the workplace, an investigation by the employer and the OH&S Committee must take place. This legal requirement has been solidified in legislation passed in May 2015, with Bill 9, in response to the tragic mill explosions in 2012. Committees are now required to perform a preliminary investigation within 48 hours of an incident occurring and then a comprehensive investigation within 30 days.
  • Mental Health First Aid (2 day course): November 13-14, 2019
    • Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved. This 12-hour evidence-based MHFA Basic course will cover Substance-related disorders, Mood–related disorders, Anxiety and trauma–related disorders and Psychotic disorders.
  • Workplace Bullying & Harassment: November 20, 2019
    • British Columbia’s WCB Board of Directors approved three new occupational health and safety workplace bullying and harassment policies, effective November 1, 2013. The new policies identify workplace bullying and harassment as a health hazard that must be controlled and provides the steps required to prevent or minimize it. The policies define bullying and harassment and identify reasonable steps for employers, workers and supervisors to take to prevent or minimize workplace bullying and harassment. Joint Health & Safety Committee members, Employers and Worker Representatives need to be educated about the new workplace bullying and harassment policies and requirements. This course provides an understanding of the new legislation and the steps employers need to take in order to comply.
  • Strains, Aches & Pains (Ergonomics): November 20, 2019
    • This course is designed to provide OH&S Committee members with the knowledge and skills to identify ergonomic problems at the workplace and ways of finding solutions.
  • Prevention of Violence in the Workplace: November 21, 2019
    • Workplace violence can take the form of physical aggression such as hitting, biting or kicking. Violence in the workplace also includes verbal threats, swearing, name calling and bullying. Violence is not part of your job and the repercussions for workers can be devastating, affecting their physical and mental health and job satisfaction. For employers, it means reduced productivity and increased losses. This course is intended to assist Joint OH&S Committees to identify potentially violent hazards in the workplace, conduct a risk assessment and recommend corrective action. Participants will have the opportunity to develop a plan for violence prevention.
  • Improving Committee Effectiveness: November 22, 2019
    • This course has been designed to allow participants to evaluate their JHSC performance, and develop the tools, resources and strategies to build on their successes and to tackle the tough OH&S issues at their workplaces.

2019 Updates!

Below are some of what is out there for union activists — let the executive know what you are looking for so the committee can plan for future offerings and opportunities:

While the above pages offer an overview of what is available, there are other options that can be suggested to the committee.

Note that a request or suggestion does not guarantee that attendance of a course or workshop will be approved.