The VIP Step: The Very Important Policy Step

Happy September! This month, we discuss the very first step of implementation – the Policy Step. As the first step of implementation, the WSIB validation team will be looking to see how your organization developed a written policy, SWP, or standard for each of your selected topics.

At minimum, the policy must contain the purpose of the policy, key definitions, roles and responsibilities for each workplace party (ex. employer, supervisor, worker, etc), training requirements, and the procedure which outlines how the program is to be followed in the workplace. A strong policy answers the “5 W’s (who, what, where, when, why)” and “how”.

The WSIB validators will review each policy submitted to ensure it meets all the topic requirements found in the HSEp - Topics and Requirements. As such, you’ll need to ensure that your policy meets all topic requirements within the Guide before you move forward on to the “Do” step (Step 2).

Great news! We’ve already developed customizable policies for each topic, ensuring they meet topic

requirements. You can find these policy samples within each topic page in the Dunk Excellence Portal.

Simply click on the left scroll menu icon for your topic to find the policy sample. They will be located under the header #1 Plan: Written Standard.

As Dunk provides you with policies for each topic, we do not review policies as part of the program. If you create your own policies or procedures and would like us to review them, additional charges will apply as per the registration form.

Because the policy requirements are paramount to effective topic implementation, it is important to ensure that the policy, standard, or SWP addresses all requirements of the topic. If any requirements are missing, the topic may be considered incomplete or may need to be deferred until the requirements are addressed.

It is important to emphasize that regardless of the topic selected, a written policy, SWP, or standard must

be developed for your workplace exclusively for that topic. If you are taking closely related topics, for

example, the three Return-to-Work topics, you may develop one written policy that incorporates all three

topic requirements.

As always, if you have questions about the program, topics, or topic requirements, reach out to us today!

Call us at 1-866-754-8839 or send an email to excellence@systems24-7.com.