Staff Report #1
January 26, 2026
To All Commissioners
Re: Occupational Health & Safety Work Programs – 2025 (status) and 2026
Recommendation
The report be RECEIVED for information.
Background
Each year, the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees (JHSC) hold a workshop to review progress made against the annual Health & Safety Work Program and to recommend to the General Manager the proposed Health & Safety Work Program for the following year. Throughout the year, items may be added or reprioritized due to emerging issues, legislative changes, or operational considerations. This report provides a summary of the status of the initiatives included on the 2025 Work Program as well as summary commentary on the 2026 Work Program initiatives noting that some projects are considered multi-year.
2025 Work Program Status
A summary of the 2025 Health & Safety Work Program status is set out in Enclosure I. The following provides a high-level overview of selected initiatives completed in 2025, along with additional health and safety work undertaken during the year.
Workplace Violence Prevention Program and Advanced Customer Service Training
As part of the 2025 Work Program, information and incident trends related to workplace violence were reviewed to support the ongoing redevelopment of the Workplace Violence Prevention Program and Advanced Customer Service Training. This work was completed through a working group that included representation from Operations management, Training, the JHSC, and members of the ATU Local 741 Executive. The review included analysis of recent workplace violence investigation data and incident trends to better understand the nature of events occurring on the system and to inform training content and approach. This work provided updated data, operational context, and labour input to support evidence-based planning for program enhancements that have been carried forward into the 2026 Health & Safety Work Program.
Inspector Vehicle Assessment
An ergonomic and safety assessment of Inspector vehicles was conducted to identify best practices for equipment storage, access, and retrieval. The review identified preferred configurations to reduce ergonomic risk and improve safety. Recommendations from the assessment were used to guide adjustments to existing vehicles and to inform standards for future vehicles.
Mobility Securement on Board Buses
A review of mobility device securement practices on board buses was completed, including an ergonomic assessment of Operator techniques. The review focused on ensuring best practices, improving training clarity, and aligning training materials with current fleet equipment. Recommendations were identified and approved to support consistent and safe securement practices and to reinforce inspection and maintenance considerations.
Review and Update of Relief Supervisory Training Program
In 2025, the Relief Supervisory training program for Fleet and Facilities was reviewed and updated. The biannual training modules were refreshed to provide structured refresher training and to clearly reinforce the health and safety roles, responsibilities, and expectations for Relief Supervisors and Fleet Management. The updated training supports consistent supervisory practices, strengthens understanding of health and safety obligations, and reinforces accountability for safe work practices across the Fleet and Facilities department.
Workplace Ergonomics Training for Administrative and Management Staff
In 2025, all administrative and management staff completed workplace ergonomics training. The training focused on identifying ergonomic risk factors in office environments, proper workstation setup, safe work postures, and early recognition of musculoskeletal discomfort. This initiative supported injury prevention, increased awareness of ergonomic best practices, and reinforced shared responsibility for maintaining safe work environments.
Health & Safety Policy and Procedural Review (multi-year)
Human Resources, in collaboration with all departments, JHSC members, and external resources, continued the multi-year review of all health and safety policies and procedures to ensure legislative compliance and alignment with best practices. As of the end of 2025, approximately 85% of policies and procedures have been reviewed, updated, and approved. Rollout of updated policies is ongoing, with the remaining policies scheduled for completion in 2026.
Recent updates to the Personal Protective Equipment framework include enhancements to comply with new requirements under the Working for Workers legislation (Bill 229). This included updates to the PPE Procedure and the implementation of fit-testing requirements, strengthening consistency in PPE practices and reinforcing compliance with legislative standards.
The remaining policies and procedures will be finalized in 2026, resulting in a comprehensive and up-to-date health and safety policy framework.
Additional Health & Safety Initiatives Undertaken in 2025
In addition to the initiatives formally listed in the 2025 Health & Safety Work Program, a trial of an online health and safety training platform was undertaken for Fleet and Facilities employees during the year. The trial supported compliance with legislated training requirements, standardized delivery of select training, improved documentation, and reduced time away from operational duties, while continuing to require LTC-specific, hands-on training where applicable. The trial has been effective in supporting timely training completion and consistent record-keeping, and its outcomes will inform future approaches to training delivery.
2026 Health & Safety Work Program
The 2026 Health & Safety Work Program continues to build on work undertaken in prior years, with particular emphasis on initiatives that address identified operational risks and support employee safety. Several key areas of focus for 2026 are outlined below.
Defensive Driving Training
As a carry-over initiative from the 2025 Health & Safety Work Program, a review of defensive driving training will be conducted from a health and safety perspective to ensure the program continues to address the risks Operators face in today’s operating environment. This work will focus on assessing training content, reinforcing safe driving practices, and ensuring the program reflects operational experience, weather conditions, and incident trends. The objective is to support injury prevention and safe operations through effective and relevant training.
Radio Communications – Health and Safety Review
The 2026 Work Program also includes a review of the Commission’s radio communication system to identify any operational health and safety concerns. This work is intended to assess communication reliability, signal coverage, and functionality as they relate to employee safety during on-road operations and incident response. The review is exploratory and intended to support risk awareness and inform future considerations.
Fleet and Facilities Hoist Training & Tire Shop Review
In 2026, the redevelopment of hoist training will be undertaken to ensure it reflects current best practices and is tailored to the specific equipment used at LTC, as well as to assess engineering controls within the tire shop, including a review of exhaust ventilation to confirm it remains effective in supporting employee health.
Critical Incident Stress Management Program Review
London Transit Commission has had a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program in place for many years, operating well prior to 2000. The program provides peer-based support to employees following traumatic or critical workplace incidents and is intended to help employees process the event, support recovery, and connect them with additional resources where needed. LTC currently has five trained internal CISM Peer Supporters who provide confidential support in accordance with established procedures. The CISM program is reviewed from time to time to ensure it continues to support employees in line with current operational realities and evolving expectations regarding psychological health and safety.
Enclosures
I – 2025 Occupational Health & Safety Work Program – Status
II – 2026 Occupational Health & Safety Work Program
Recommended by:
Joanne Galloway, Director of Human Resources
David Butler, Director of Operations – Conventional
Craig Morneau, Director of Fleet & Facilities
Shawn Wilson, Director of Operations – Specialized
Katie Burns, Director of Planning
Mike Gregor, Director of Finance
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager