Safety

Slips, Trips and Falls

Slips, trips and falls is the number one reason for injuries in all work related sectors including learning institutions. Injuries occur as a result of slips, trips, and falls from: heights, roofs, tanks, platforms, ladders, steps, uneven ground, slippery surfaces, vehicles, equipment, poor housekeeping (tripping over extension cords, debris), etc.

• Walk slowly and carefully on wet or icy walkways and parking lots. Take short, deliberate steps with the body weight centered over the feet. Watch for hidden ice after a snow fall.
• Report any weather related, building or property concerns (e.g. icy stretch on sidewalk or in parking lot, missing entry matts, spills). Report to Facilities, Maintenance and Operations or report to Security in Grande Prairie and Fairview. For satellite locations report concerns to management.
• Focus on where you are going, what you are doing, and what lies ahead.
• Read and obey caution or warning signs. They are there for a reason.
• Take responsibility: REMOVE or REPORT hazards in your path.
• Wear sturdy shoes that are appropriate for work / weather conditions.
• Avoid baggy or loose pants you could trip over.
• Report any burned out lights or inadequate lighting.
• Watch out for floors that are uneven, have holes, etc.
• Sit in chairs with all chair legs on the floor.
• Use equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications and safe work procedures.
• Use the 3-Point contact method, use your hands and feet (2 and 1) at all times for support when climbing up / down ladders, when entering / exiting vehicles.
• When lifting and handling loads, pre-plan your route.
• Do not carry more than you can safely manage, and do not stack items so high that you cannot see where you are going.

Students in Residence

Residences at the Grande Prairie and Fairview campuses are available year-round to students and invited guests to NWP . Residence dorms are provided as a safe and secure home away from home for individuals who cannot commute back and forth to college. We would like to offer the following security awareness to students and invited guests to NWP , residing within the dorms:

• Propping doors open is an invitation for strangers to enter the property and possibly commit a crime.
• Do not open your residences to strangers.
• Do not lend your keys to strangers, even if they give you a good excuse for doing so. If they say they work for the school and you are not sure, contact the Residence Manager.
• If you feel uncomfortable with unwanted persons in your suite, please ask them to leave. If they refuse to leave, contact the Residence Manager or Security.
• Know the location of the Blue Security Phone outside the residence office and in the parking lots around the Grande Prairie campus. In Fairview become familiar with Security and emergency phone numbers.
• Report any lost or stolen keys right away to the residence office or to Campus Security.
• Do not leave wallets, jewellery, cash, or valuables in vehicles. 
• Do not leave any wallets, jewellery, cash, or anything of value out in the open and in plain view in dorms. Lock all valuables in a secure locker or safe box.
• Report any suspicious persons to the Residence Manager or Campus Security / Facilities and Maintenance office.
• If you hear anything out of the ordinary (e.g. screams, arguments, and domestic disputes), do not attempt to break it up.  Instead contact Campus Security right away.  In Fairview you may also contact Facilities and Maintenance Department or if this is an emergency call the RCMP / 911
• If you feel someone is following you, go back to your dorm, or to a place where others are present. In the evening avoid walking in unlit areas. Stay out in the open, as much as possible.  Call Campus Security or if this is an emergency call the RCMP / 911.
• If you need to get back to your residence from the main campus or from your residence to your vehicle and are feeling unsure, Campus Security will escort you there. The Safe Walk Program is available 24 hours a day at the Grande Prairie Campus, and on weekends and evenings at the Fairview Campus.

We want your stay at Northwestern Polytechnic to be safe, secure and successful

Working Alone

While at the Grande Prairie or Fairview campuses outside of regular College hours, any staff or student working alone should contact Security to inform them that they are on site. Security will ask for:

• Name
• Location
• Estimated time frame of working in that location
• Contact number

Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying and Violence

Alberta Human Rights Act

Prohibits harassment and discrimination in the workplace based on the grounds of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, age, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, source of income and sexual orientation.

Alberta OHS 2018

“Workplace Harassment” Is defined as a single or repeated incident of objectionable or unwelcome conduct, comment, bullying or action intended to intimidate, offend, degrade or humiliate a particular person or group.