Critical Injury

Community Guidelines

Critical injuries are defined as injuries that:

• Place life in jeopardy
• Make someone unconscious
• Result in a substantial loss of blood
• Cause an arm or leg to break
• Cause the amputation of a leg, arm or foot
• Cause burns to a major portion of the body
• Cause the loss of sight in an eye

All accidents resulting in critical injury must be reported to the Ministry of Labour; those resulting in death to the Coroners Office. This is done by the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and Security.

In the case of a critical injury or death:

• Call Security at 5040 to safeguard the site until all investigations are carried out
• Call the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and Security at 7086

If you need help – Post-Trauma Emergency Assistance Plan

If you witness a critical injury or death, you may suffer post-incident trauma. The Vice-President, Administration and Finance, is responsible for providing psychologists/counselors trained to deal with individuals in need of this service. Contact the Director of the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and Security at ext. 7096.

University follow-up

In the case of a fatality, the president or appropriate vice-president will:

• Contact the family (in person if possible) with assistance and information from Toronto Police Services.

Public Affairs, Marketing and Communications will:

• Handle all internal and external media inquiries.
• Produce a community-wide bulletin on the death and other information as needed.

Human Resources will:

• Ensure that the family receives up-to-date information.

Violent Crime Resulting in Death or Critical Injury

Primary Response

Dial “80” for Security and Emergency Services.

Community Guidelines

• The Director of the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and Security is to be informed immediately at ext. 7096.
  
• The Director of the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and Security will immediately notify the Director of Public Affairs and University Advancement.
  
• Direct all press inquiries to the Director of Public Affairs at ext. 6638.

If you need help – Post-Trauma Emergency Assistance Plan

If you witness a violent crime resulting in critical injury or death, you may suffer post-incident trauma. The Vice President, Administration and Finance is responsible for providing psychologists/counselors trained to deal with people in need of this service. Contact the Director of the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and Security at ext. 7096.

Ryerson also provides a critical incident stress debriefing service. For information about this service contact the Director of the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and Security at ext. 7096.

Environmental Health & Safety Officer:
Catherine Drum, BASc (OHS), CHSC, CRSP
Email: cdrum@ryerson.ca
Phone: 416-979-5000 x 7086
Fax: 416-979-5205 Office: 380 Victoria Street, Jorgenson Hall, JOR-1119

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