HEALTH, SAFETY and ENVIRONMENT
Incident reporting
If an incident occurs on campus or during a university-sanctioned, off-campus activity, such as a Work-Integrated Learning placement, MacEwan University’s reporting process needs to be followed. Student and employee WCB reporting may be required in addition to the University’s incident reporting.
An “incident” is any event with an adverse impact or the potential for an adverse impact, such as injury, illness or equipment failure. An incident report ensures that action can be taken to prevent a recurrence and that the University complies with applicable legislation, institutional policies and standards. Chemical spills, environmental releases, fire, flood, explosion and scenarios in which first aid is provided are all examples of incidents that need reporting.
Incidents that occur on campus
If an incident occurs during MacEwan-related study or business or while using campus services, the incident needs to be reported promptly. An incident report ensures that action can be taken to prevent a recurrence and that the University complies with applicable legislation, institutional policies and standards.
To whom do I report an incident?
If you are a MacEwan student, employee, faculty member, contractor or visitor, you must let the appropriate MacEwan representative know about the incident within 48 hours of its occurrence or as soon as possible. The MacEwan representative completes and submits a report on your behalf. The person you report to depends on your role in the MacEwan community and on what you were doing when the incident occurred.
If you are involved in an incident while in class or working on coursework, report the incident to your MacEwan instructor.
If the incident occurs during a practicum, you must follow the practicum organization’s incident reporting process.
If the incident occurs during an activity at the Centre for Sport and Wellness, report it to a Sport and Wellness employee.
If the incident occurs on campus but is unrelated to academic activities or activities at Sport and Wellness, report it to Security Services.
Faculty report incidents to their supervisor (i.e., the dean or their designate of the faculty or school).
Staff involved in an incident must report it to their manager/supervisor.
Contractors involved in an incident must report it to their MacEwan representative/contact and their employer.
Visitors involved in an incident on campus must report it to Security Services.
Patrons/visitors involved in an incident during a Sport and Wellness activity must report it to a Sport and Wellness employee.
What are a representative’s responsibilities?
Representatives report an incident on behalf of the person involved by completing the Health and Safety Incident Report form and submitting it to the Office of Health, Safety and Environment within 48 hours of the incident occurring or when reasonably practicable.
If the injury/illness requires immediate assistance, 911 should be called first and then call MacEwan Security Services at 780-497-5555.
WCB reporting for students
Students registered with and attending MacEwan University are covered by WCB for injuries arising from participating in course activities as a student. The WCB Student Fact Sheet outlines coverage for students, apprentices and students participating in Work-Integrated Learning (practicums).
Students in Alberta
In accordance with Section 7 of the Alberta Workers’ Compensation Regulation AR325/2002, students who are registered in a post-secondary institution are considered workers of the Government of Alberta and may qualify for workers compensation when:
- The student is a resident of Alberta
- The student is registered at an Alberta Post Secondary Institution
- The course is recognized by Alberta Advanced Education
- The practicum is a required part of the course
- The period of time for placement is less than 12 continuous months
Distance learners
A distance learner is a student who is completing their course(s) from a location away from the campus through print-based materials in combination with web support, email and fax correspondence with instructors.
Distance learner students who are residents of Alberta and are undertaking a practicum in Canada may be covered by WCB only while on their practicum site. The employer is responsible for complying with the workers’ compensation legislation of that jurisdiction. Contact WCB Alberta to confirm if coverage can be extended to that jurisdiction.
Practicum placement with employers outside of Alberta
Employers are responsible for complying with the workers’ compensation legislation of any other jurisdiction, even when WCB Alberta has extended out-of-province coverage.
The student’s employer must contact the WCB in the jurisdiction in which they will be working to determine coverage. The student can then contact WCB Alberta to determine if coverage can be extended by the Alberta WCB. Every case is situational and will be reviewed by the WCB on its own merit.
The employment out of Alberta will last less than 12 continuous months.
The student is responsible for determining workers’ compensation coverage in jurisdictions outside of Alberta.
- Every jurisdiction will have specific requirements for workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Contact the jurisdiction in which you will be conducting your work for confirmation. This may include purchasing a standalone insurance policy.
- WCB Alberta coverage may be covered for the first 12 months out of Alberta.
- Students should contact Alberta WCB to confirm if WCB-Alberta can extend coverage to where they will be working as students.
- Benefits cannot be received from both Alberta and other jurisdictions. If you choose to claim in Alberta:
- The student completes the Alberta WCB Workers Report and submits it to WCB within 30 days of the date of the accident.
- Employer completes the Alberta WCB Employers report and submits it to WCB within 30 days from the date of the accident.
- Contact WCB at 780-498-3999 or 1-866-922-9221.
Steps for reporting an off-campus placement incident
- Students involved in an incident during the course of work or study assignments must report it to their MacEwan instructor within 48 hours of its occurrence or as soon as possible.
- Students involved in an incident during a practicum must report it to their MacEwan instructor and follow the practicum organization’s incident reporting process within 48 hours of its occurrence or as soon as possible.
Steps for reporting an on-campus incident
- Students involved in an incident on campus, not during academic activities or work-related, must report it to Security Services within 48 hours or as soon as possible.
- Students involved in an incident during a Sport and Wellness activity must report it to a Sports and Wellness employee within 48 hours or as soon as possible.
WCB is responsible for managing and adjusting all claims that qualify for student WCB coverage.
Workers’ compensation is intended to provide benefits for student injuries while in the course of study.
Workers’ compensation is not intended to provide benefits for students who suffer accidents while engaging or participating in extra-curricular sporting, recreational, social or personal fulfillment activities which are not a current academic requisite or required as part of the course of study in which the student is registered.
If a student has an ambulance bill, documentation (MacEwan Health and Safety Incident Report Form) supporting the injury or illness is to be sent to the Office of Health, Safety and Environment to be forwarded to the Ministry of Advanced Education.
WCB reporting for staff and faculty
If you are a MacEwan employee and are injured in the course of your work activities, please report the incident to the University and to Workers Compensation Board. Report forms can be found in MacEwan’s Forms Cabinet, and additional information can be found on the HSE portal page.
Reporting concerns & complaints
If you see something on campus that concerns you, even if it is not yet an incident, we encourage you to let us know. If you have a complaint to report, the process is slightly different than it is for other incidents.
Concerns
If you have a concern related to a biological, chemical, physical or psychological hazard, such as a pool of water in a hallway, an unidentified spill in a laboratory or a dislodged fire extinguisher, it is important to report it before an incident can occur.
If you are an employee, discuss your concern with your immediate supervisor and then report it using the Employee Health and Safety Concern Report form. If the issue cannot be resolved by your immediate manager/supervisor, they will forward the completed form to the area’s Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committee (JWHSC) for resolution.
If you are a student, report to Security Service’s non-emergency line by calling 780-497-5554.
Complaints
The Office of Investigations manages all complaints received by the university. Working in partnership with other service areas, such as Health Safety and Environment, Human Resources, Security Services and Student Conduct, complaints are captured and addressed in a fair, transparent and consistent process. All complaints requiring an investigation follow the MacEwan University Investigations Framework, which creates a clear, unbiased and transparent process for receiving and managing complaints through proper ownership and accountability for investigations.
The complaint form is located in the MacEwan Help Centre under the Office of Investigations. For more information, contact investigationsoffice@macewan.ca.