Policing can be a dangerous job and officers undergo regular training to protect themselves and the public. But operations aside, all RCMP employees also have a responsibility for their own safety and wellbeing.
"We're all part of the same team. Awareness of safety issues and strategies to reduce incidents have to be infused at all levels," says Amélie Talbot, a performance and project-management analyst with the RCMP's Occupational Safety Policy and Program. "That's why when it comes to health and safety, everyone in this organization has a role to play."
In 2015, an RCMP Occupational Health and Safety report identified the No. 1 cause of employee injuries was falls. A total of 601 falls — most of which were caused by slippery surfaces on RCMP property — were described as minor, while 98 were categorized as disabling. That means it was severe enough to impact an employee's ability to get to work and do their job.
Report incidents
Talbot's program area is involved in developing policies and procedures to improve workplace safety. She says one of the best and simplest things employees can do is to report incidents.
"Even if you don't get injured, you should still report the incident to your supervisor, who has a responsibility for identifying its cause and implementing corrective measures. If you don't report it, that incident could happen to someone else and have more serious impacts," says Talbot, who notes incident data is critical to identify the problem and take corrective measures.
She says employee participation is key to a safe workplace, and occupational safety officers (OSOs) in each province can help in the incident reporting process.
"The training of members and support staff in areas of health and safety is a critically important function within our unit," says Peter Lennon, an RCMP occupational safety officer.
He says OSOs provide safety advice and guidance to both employees and supervisors. They also support the RCMP so it complies with its duties and responsibilities under Part II of the Canada Labour Code.
The 2015 report made a strong link between slips and footwear, while noting proper snow removal and taking measures to prevent slips and falls on wet surfaces was also key. The report also recommended the RCMP consider reviewing the footwear provided to officers.
Supt. Ian Cowan, director of the RCMP's Uniform and Equipment Program, is on the front line of officer care and involved in finding and procuring products for members that are functional, safe and comfortable.
Since 2016, his program has been searching for the best slip-resistant footwear possible. "It's a huge and complicated process," he says.
Cowan says there are design factors to consider like size, gender and the technical standards of the product.
Consultation critical
He adds that while addressing safety is a primary concern, developing specifications must also include listening to people's concerns.
"When decisions get made in the absence of full consultation, you can get painted into a corner, and have products that won't make the officers happy," he says.
The remaining Top 4 causes of employee-related injuries from the 2015 report included injuries sustained while dealing with physical assaults; ergonomic-related injuries involving work-space configurations (like the inside of vehicles) or moving heavy equipment; car accidents and training injuries.
Part of an OSO's job is to work with RCMP safety committees and representatives in each province to help identify and address workplace hazards.
"They are the conduit for safety-related information within the divisions," says Lennon.
The officers deliver two-day health and safety committee training sessions so that RCMP employees who volunteer on those committees can understand how they work and can properly inspect workplaces and environments to ensure they're safe.
"The training is vital because it equips people with the capability to check their workplace for hazards and gives them the confidence to report issues and recommend the necessary measures to address them," says Lennon.