Overview
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Our Safety Learn More
We support the University’s commitment to creativity, innovation and excellence, and strive to achieve these standards in the areas of environmental and occupational health, safety, loss prevention and mitigation.

My Health Learn More
We are committed to supporting employees in a healthy and safe return to work following an injury or illness, facilitating workplace accommodations and fostering healthier work environments.

My Well-Being Learn More
Workplace Wellness is integral to the personal and professional growth of McMaster faculty and staff. Campus and community supports are available to help faculty and staff flourish in their personal and professional lives.
McMaster University is proud to offer the extended benefit of an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) with our partner, Homewood Health. Homewood is the Canadian leader in mental health and addiction services.
Individuals can contact Homewood Health through their website or by phone toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to book appointments, or access any EFAP service.
- Toll Free English:1.800.663.1142
- Toll Free French: 1.866.398.9505
- TTY: 1.888.384.1152
- International (call collect): 604.689.1717
- Homewood Health Online: www.homeweb.ca and create an individual login profile
Our Safety
Environmental & Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS) is a team of health, safety and risk management specialists committed to supporting the University’s commitment to creativity, innovation and excellence, and strives to achieve these standards in the areas of environmental and occupational health, safety, loss prevention and mitigation.
SAFETY UPDATES
Campus Driver and Pedestrian Safety Learn More
McMaster is a walk- and bike-friendly community, and with students beginning the fall term, we must take extra precautions to ensure that roads, walkways, and crosswalks are safe for travel.
Quick Links
Injury/Incident Report Form - Learn More
The employee has the responsibility of reporting incidents promptly. The employee and the supervisor must fill out this form and the employee, supervisor and department chair, manager or director must sign it.
Joint Health and Safety Committee's (JHSC's)
Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) - Learn More
A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is required to identify and minimize the risks associated with a worker’s duties. A JHA is used to document and review these risks with the worker.
A JHA is essential in clarifying the work to be done in conjunction with the hazards and controls that are associated with the activity.
Click here to access the JHA Portal.
NOTE: Employees accessing the JHA portal off-campus will need to enter through the McMaster VPN. Directions to access the VPN can be found here. If assistance is required, please contact the UTS Customer Service desk at ext. 24357.
For information on how to complete a JHA click here.
Learn more about Our Safety

Occupational Safety Learn More
Information includes ergonomics, violence and harassment prevention in the workplace, fire safety, standard operating procedures and first aid kit locations.

Lab Safety Learn More
Information including biological/chemical waste disposal, hazardous materials, and McMaster’s chemical inventory system (HECHMET).

Travel Safety and Planning Learn More
Information on international travel including Global Affairs Canada, Travel Smart app.

Campus Insurance Learn More
Note: Effective December 1st, 2022, the insurance management program is transitioning from EOHSS to the Enterprise Risk Department. Please direct future insurance inquiries to Jessica Fry, Manager, Enterprise Risk via email: fryj@mcmaster.ca or by phone 05-525-9140 Ext. 21188

Field Trip, Student Placements and Research Activity Learn More
Information for students, employees travelling on McMaster business as part of a field trip, research activity or student placement.
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Ergonomics: Working from Home Learn More
The following suggestions will allow employees to continue to work productively and consider proper ergonomic set-up while at home.
Home Safety Learn More
The checklist is designed to assess the safety of the home workstation. Employees are expected to designate an adequate and separate workstation in the home. To ensure employees are working in a safe and healthy dedicated workstation, the following checklist should be completed. Please note, assessment is of the workstation only and is not reflective of the safety of the home in its entirety.

AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that allows the user to provide potentially life saving treatment to someone who is suffering from cardiac arrhythmias.
For information on AED use, maintenance and locations of McMaster AED’s please visit the McMaster AED’s webpage.
EOHSS Team
For general inquiries please contact us at eohss@mcmaster.ca or extension 24352.
Stacie Cameron
Specialist, University Health and Safety Programs
Stacie Cameron
Specialist, University Health and Safety Programs
Dane DeMan
Associate Director, University Health and Safety, EOHSS

Dane DeMan
Associate Director, University Health and Safety, EOHSS
Stacie Cameron
Specialist, University Health and Safety Programs
Stacie Cameron
Specialist, University Health and Safety Programs
Dane DeMan
Associate Director, University Health and Safety, EOHSS
Dane DeMan
Associate Director, University Health and Safety, EOHSS
My Health
McMaster is committed to supporting employees in a healthy and safe return to work following an injury or illness, facilitating workplace accommodations and fostering healthier work environments.
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Workplace Accommodation Learn More
Workplace accommodation may involve a service, adaptation or adjustment in the work environment that enable individuals to compete for jobs and perform employment activities.
Workplace Accommodation - Learn More
It is McMaster University’s goal to build an inclusive community with a shared purpose, where all members of the University community are treated in a fair and equitable manner. In pursuit of this goal, the University aims to foster a climate of understanding and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of all persons.
Workplace accommodation may involve a service, adaptation or adjustment in the work environment that enable individuals to compete for jobs and perform employment activities without discrimination on a prohibited ground. It can include, but is not limited to recruitment, selection, employment and separation processes, including training and career development. It may be short or long-term, with the goal of enabling individuals to compete for jobs and perform the essential duties of their employment.
Workplace Accommodation Policy
McMaster University Guide and Procedures on Workplace Accommodation
Employee Request for Medical Accommodation Form
Family Status Accommodation Application Form
If looking for accessible parking on campus for durations of 2 months and less complete the McMaster University Accommodation Parking Application

Disability Benefits Learn More
Our disability benefit programs include salary continuance, sick leave benefits and WSIB benefits.

Workplace Injury/Illness Learn More
Information regarding workplace injury or illness, Workplace, Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits pertaining to McMaster University employees and to unpaid student placements.
Workplace Injury/Illness - Learn More
Employee Health Services administers WSIB claims and benefits for employees of the University. As such we are committed to increasing healthy and safe workplace attitudes and practices. In supporting and promoting awareness initiatives, we are better able to minimize workplace hazards.
All work-related injuries/illnesses must be reported to the Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services (EOHSS) within 24 hours. We are responsible for reporting to the WSIB.
Reporting procedures for injury/illness are available under My Safety.
Offer of Modified Work – Early and Safe Return to Work Offer Form

Return to Work Program Learn More
We are committed to a fair and consistent approach to early and safe return to the workplace following illness or injury.
Return to Work Program - Learn More
The contributions of employees and their presence in the workplace are essential to the achievement of the University’s goals. The University recognizes that accommodations may be required to assist employees in their reintegration to the workplace.
The Employee Health Services Consultants within Employee Health Services work in a collaborative framework with the workplace parties to facilitate the return to work process. For additional information on the return to work process, roles and responsibilities please refer to the University’s Return to Work Program.

Mental Health Resources and Training Learn More
We are committed to providing mental health and well-being education and training to the McMaster community to support mental health literacy, and help individuals lead healthier lives in and outside of the workplace.

Unpaid Student Placements Learn More
Students who perform experiential learning (unpaid) activities at a third party business or institution for academic credit.
Expandable List
Employee Health Services (“EHS”) manages the disability benefits, the return to work process and employment accommodation needs of employees of McMaster University (the “University”). In order to provide these services to you, EHS collects, uses, maintains and, in some cases, discloses certain personal health information.
You have the right to know how EHS collects, uses, maintains and discloses the personal health information in our possession. Personal health information includes identifying information about you relating to your physical or mental health, including your medical history, the provision of health care to you, and payments or eligibility for health care. You have a right to expect that, to the best of our ability, the personal health information held by us remains confidential and secure.
This document informs you of our ongoing commitment to privacy and tells you the ways we ensure that the privacy of your personal health information is protected. Our ongoing commitment to the protection of your personal health information is reflected in the following ten principles.
1. Accountability
EHS is committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of your personal health information. Every employee of EHS is bound by a duty of confidentiality and must abide by that duty in the handling of your personal health information. The duty to maintain confidentiality applies to the duration of employment with EHS and continues indefinitely after employment with EHS has ceased.
2. The Purposes of Information Collection
EHS collects, maintains, uses and discloses information about you and your health. This information is collected to help administer disability benefits, initiate return to work processes and implement the employment accommodation needs of employees. These services include:
- direction and guidance on policies and procedures before, during and after an injury or illness;
- safe, timely and appropriate return to work plans and programs following an injury or illness;
- the management of University disability benefits (e.g. Salary Continuance benefits), and
- implementation and management of measures related to workplace accommodation of an injury or illness.
We obtain most of our information directly from you, or from other health practitioners whom you have seen and authorized to disclose information to us. We will limit the information we collect to what we need for those purposes, and we will use it only for those purposes.
3. Informed Consent
You have the right to know and to determine how your personal health information is used and disclosed. We will always obtain your express consent where legally required to do so.
If you provide consent to let a family member or your legal representative, including a trade union, see your personal health information, then the family member or legal representative may be allowed access to the part(s) of the personal health information that you have consented to let them see. Subject to certain conditions, you have the right to withdraw or change the conditions of your consent.
4. Limiting Collection
We collect information by fair and lawful means and collect only that information which may be necessary for purposes related to the provision of our services to you. These services are related to management of disability benefits, return to work processes and employment accommodation needs of employees of the University.
5. Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention
The information we request from you is used for the purposes defined. We will seek your consent before using the information beyond the purposes for which we have obtained it. Non-identifying information related to the services EHS provides may be used for administration, management, strategic planning, decision-making, research and allocation of the University’s resources.
6. Accuracy
We will make every effort to ensure that all decisions involving your personal health information are based upon accurate and timely information. In turn, we rely on you to disclose accurate and material information on a timely basis and to inform us of any relevant changes.
7. Protecting Your Information
EHS is committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of personal health information and has a number of practices in place to protect the privacy of your personal health information. For example, personal health information that is collected by EHS is maintained in a secured file in a location at our office that has restricted access. Some older records may be kept at a secure location off-site. All personal health information is kept in an area separate from all other human resources files. Our computer systems are password-secured, encrypted and constructed in such a way that only authorized individuals can access secure systems and databases.
Only those individuals who are directly involved in providing EHS services or those who have a legal right to see your records are permitted access to your personal health information. Specifically, access is limited to you and the Offices of the Occupational Health Nurse and Occupational Physician who have legitimate reason to maintain and access your personal health information. Access to any other individuals will only be provided with your prior express written consent.
Access to other non-health related personal information is limited to authorized individuals who have a legitimate reason to access such information. For example, with respect to non-health related return to work information, EHS may be required to supply this information to administer the disability insurance program or to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Access to any other individuals will only be provided with your prior express written consent.
8. How We Keep You Informed
EHS has prepared these plain-language principles to keep you informed. You may ask to receive a copy of this document from any EHS staff member. If you have any additional questions or concerns about privacy of your personal health information, we invite you to contact us (see info below) and we will address your concerns to the best of our ability.
9. Access and Correction
With limited exceptions, we will give you access to the information we retain about you within a reasonable time, upon presentation of a written request and satisfactory identification.
We may charge a fee for photocopying services and if so, we will give you notice in advance of processing your request.
If you find errors of fact in your personal health information, please notify us as soon as possible and we will make the appropriate corrections. We will not amend information provided by third parties or information relating to clinical observations or opinions made in good faith. You have a right to append a short statement of disagreement to your record if we refuse to make a requested change.
If we deny your request for access to your personal information, we will advise you in writing of the reason for the refusal and you may then challenge the decision.
10. Challenging Compliance
We encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have about your privacy.
If you send us an e-mail message that includes personal information, such as your name included in the “address”, we may use that information to respond to your inquiry. If your communication involves personal health information, you should not send it electronically.
In the event that you have concerns, we will endeavour to review and respond to your concerns about any aspect of our handling of your personal health information. In most cases, an issue is resolved simply by telling us about it and discussing it. We invite you to contact us – see below.
Our Employee Health Team
Monica Poulin
Acting Program Manager, Employee Health Services

Monica Poulin
Acting Program Manager, Employee Health Services
Monica Poulin
Acting Program Manager, Employee Health Services
Monica Poulin
Acting Program Manager, Employee Health Services
Employee Well-being
McMaster has a strong commitment to create a brighter and healthier world. In 2017, McMaster joined the Canadian Health Promoting Universities and Colleges Network by signing the Okanagan Charter, which is dedicated to advancing human and societal well-being. McMaster’s Healthy Workplace programs strive to advance the well-being of all faculty and staff through the promotion of year round holistic wellness initiatives, including, but not limited to, physical health, psychological wellness, and work-life balance.
Employee Well-being
McMaster has a strong commitment to create a brighter and healthier world. In 2017, McMaster joined the Canadian Health Promoting Universities and Colleges Network by signing the Okanagan Charter, which is dedicated to advancing human and societal well-being. McMaster’s Healthy Workplace programs strive to advance the well-being of all faculty and staff through the promotion of year round holistic wellness initiatives, including, but not limited to, physical health, psychological wellness, and work-life balance.
Employee Well-being
McMaster has a strong commitment to create a brighter and healthier world. In 2017, McMaster joined the Canadian Health Promoting Universities and Colleges Network by signing the Okanagan Charter, which is dedicated to advancing human and societal well-being. McMaster’s Healthy Workplace programs strive to advance the well-being of all faculty and staff through the promotion of year round holistic wellness initiatives, including, but not limited to, physical health, psychological wellness, and work-life balance.
Employee Well-being
McMaster has a strong commitment to create a brighter and healthier world. In 2017, McMaster joined the Canadian Health Promoting Universities and Colleges Network by signing the Okanagan Charter, which is dedicated to advancing human and societal well-being. McMaster’s Healthy Workplace programs strive to advance the well-being of all faculty and staff through the promotion of year round holistic wellness initiatives, including, but not limited to, physical health, psychological wellness, and work-life balance.
- Human Resources
- Employees
- Health, Safety & Well-Being
Employee Well-being
Information Box Group

NEW: Pulse at Pace Employee Gym
January 10 – March 3, 2023
Sponsored by Athletics & Recreation and Sun Life Financial, Pulse at PACE is a pilot project to help McMaster faculty and staff get active. This is a pilot project running on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., and Fridays between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Employees must register in advance for a time slot in order to attend.
Winter and Well-being
From staying indoors, to connecting less with our communities, nature and with loved ones. The challenges brought on by cold weather, winter can often be the most challenging time of year. With careful planning, action and proactive measures, we can all get through the winter months together!
February is Heart Month - Learn More
Heart & Stroke Awareness
February is Heart Month, a time to bring attention to the importance of cardiovascular health, and what we can to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease affects approximately 2.4 million Canadian adults and many risk factors can be reduced through developing healthy lifestyle habits including:
1. Eat a healthy diet: Small changes can make a big impact. Eating lots of veggies, cooking at home, limiting processed foods are all habits that protect your health.
If you are unsure where to start and would like a helping hand, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has put together a heart healthy meal planning toolkit you can download to get started!
2. Physical activity: Did you know that regular physical activity, even short durations (as little as 10 minutes!) have also been shown to increase memory and cognitive function, boost mood, increase energy and help regulate blood sugar?
Reminder that the free Pulse @ PACE pilot program is running until March 3, 2023. More information, including registration, can be found here.
Take a break from your routine and join The McMaster Alumni Community every Tuesday at 12:15 pm for a 30 minute yoga class on Zoom with Helena McKinley of In Fine Feather Yoga.
3. Reduce stress: Everyone feels stress differently and sometimes, it is easier to recognize stress in others than in yourself. Stress can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, and lead to depression and anxiety. That’s why it is important to recognize and manage it.
The Heart & Stroke Foundation have created a stress test to help recognize the events in your life that trigger your stress symptoms as well as tips to help you manage your stress, including setting SMART goals.
Additional Resources:
Identify your heart health risks and how to communicate with your healthcare provider.

Winter Programs available in the Hamilton Community! Learn More
A guide for various Hamilton events, activities, and attractions for the winter season!
Source: Tourism Hamilton

LinkedIn Learning Learn More
A sample of videos and Courses for developing strategies for a healthy work-life balance.
LinkedIn Learning - Learn More
Videos
Manage Burnout at Work with These Simple Strategies – 8 min 46s
Manage Your Response to Stress – 3min 8s
How to Recognize the Signs of Employee Burnout – 3min 34s
What is Burnout? 4min
Courses
How to Beat Burnout, Exhaustion, and Stress – 30m 57s
Creating a Positive and Healthy Work Environment – 57 min 28s
Well-Being in the Workplace – 23 min 32s
Managing Career Burnout – 44 min 16s
Managing Your Emotional Response to Workplace Stress
Reduce Stress and Anxiety by Managing Your Nervous System – 36m 12s
Learning Path
Supporting Your Well-Being during Times of Change and Uncertainty – 16 hours 19 min
Information Box Group

The Importance of Vacation for Employee Well-being
With the new year under way, McMaster employees will be thinking about their well-deserved vacation for the year ahead. Whether an extravagant trip, stay-cation, or some time for self-care, it is important to decompress and recharge your batteries throughout the year. Vacation time is meant to be restorative and is important for our well-being
Upcoming Employee Well-being Events

3-Part Planning for Retirement Course
Employee Well-Being
Feb 2, 2023 to Feb 23, 2023
10:00AM to 12:00PM

Everything You Need to Know About Retiring from McMaster's Salaried Pension Plan
Employee Well-Being, Retirement Planning, Salaried Pension Plan
Feb 9, 2023
10:00AM to 12:00PM

Thrive Week: Benefits Presentation
Employee Well-Being, Mental Health
Feb 21, 2023
10:30AM to 11:15AM
Learn More About Your Well-Being

Prioritizing Yourself

Workload Resources

Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Additional Resources

Employee and Family Assistance Program

Smoking Cessation Resources
Smoking Cessation Resources
Smoking Cessation Resources for: Staff and Faculty
The Homewood Health Plan Smart Smoking Cessation Program empowers you with the information and support you need to help you quit smoking and remain smoke-free. A personal coach will help make it simple to start and guide you step-by-step. The program addresses the psychological and physical dependence and creates a foundation for successful behavior change.
Sun Life Health Benefits
McMaster University has added coverage until June 30, 2023 for employees eligible to participate in the Sun Life Extended Health Benefits. Extension of this date will be reviewed at the time of expiry.
Coverage includes products to help a person quit tobacco that legally require a prescription, up to a lifetime maximum of $500 for each person.
Smoking Cessation Resources for: Community
For news, tips and to be in touch with those who have quit, are trying to quit, or are supporting others, connect on Twitter at: twitter.com/SmokersHelpline.
Hamilton Public Health Services – Telephone Service – Tobacco Hotline
110 King St. West, 4th floor, Hamilton, ON L8P 4S6
905-540-5566
Before you set your quit date you need to prepare. Take time to think about when, where, and why you smoke. If you understand your smoking habits and triggers, you’ll have a better chance at success.
The Canadian Cancer Society quit line is available to help you. It’s a free, confidential service for smokers. Find out more information or register online for the self-directed quit program.
The STOP Program is a province-wide initiative that delivers smoking cessation treatment and counseling support to eligible Ontario smokers who wish to quit smoking. The STOP Program has provided free smoking cessation medication and counselling support to over 100,000 Ontarians who wanted to quit smoking.
The Nicotine Dependence Clinic offers several specialized outpatient treatments for anyone who wants to quit or reduce their tobacco use. We offer assessment, medical consultation, group counselling and medications to quit/reduce smoking. Our clinic provides service to clients with concurrent substance use and/or mental illness as well other medical conditions.
Good Shepherd Breathe Easier
For individuals with a MH diagnosis, The Good Shepherd offers up to 26 weeks of free NRT and weekly group sessions.
Telephone: 905-528-3655
Tobacco Addiction Recovery Program (TARP)
For individuals with a MH diagnosis offers up to 26 weeks of free NRT and weekly group sessions. Telephone: 905-522-1155 ext. 36407
For persons who identify as having an indigenous background, the De Dwa Da Dehs Nye >s offers up to 26 weeks of free NRT and group support.
For individuals seeking service in French, the centre de santé communautaire offers up to 26 weeks of free NRT and counselling.
Hamilton Public Health
For persons who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or anyone interested in education sessions and free nicotine patches, Hamilton Public Health Services offers a 5-week course of nicotine patches.
Telephone: 905-540-5566 ext.1
Your Local Pharmacist
For individuals on Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) can receive 12 weeks of ‘Champix’ or ’Zyban’ at no cost each year.
Employee Well-being Contacts
Karli Dillane
Program Coordinator, Employee Health & Well-being

Karli Dillane
Program Coordinator, Employee Health & Well-being
Karli Dillane
Program Coordinator, Employee Health & Well-being
Karli Dillane
Program Coordinator, Employee Health & Well-being