Privacy Policy Statement
Preface
Effective January 1, 2004, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and Regulations (PIPEDA) began to apply to all organizations that collect, use or disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities. Also, the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), a new provincial law governing the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information within the health care system was introduced. Applied Biomechanics is subject to both legislations.
Applied Biomechanics Custom Orthotic Services Inc. (ABCOS) understands the importance of protecting your personal information and has enacted a Privacy policy (information practices) governing the collection, use, retention and disclosure of your personal information.
Contents
This Privacy policy describes the principles ABCOS will use to protect the privacy of personal information in its possession. It addresses the reasons why such information is collected, how it is used, how its confidentiality is protected and outlines the clients’ rights in respects of this information. This Privacy policy incorporates and expands the 10 principles for the protection of personal information.
The general principles that ABCOS adheres to are as follows:
Accountability – Applied Biomechanics is responsible for all personal information under its custody or control and shall take all reasonable required steps to protect your personal information from unauthorized access or disclosure.
All staff of Applied Biomechanics have been trained with regard to the safeguarding of personal information
Identifying Purposes – Applied Biomechanics shall identify the purposes for which personal information is required prior to or at the time that personal information is collected. Personal information that ABCOS collects from clients includes: the client’s name and address and other contact information; client medical information such as but not limited to, date of birth, height, weight, prescription from doctor, history of injury/complaint, findings of examination, family physician, referring physician; third party payment information such as insurance company, policy number, coverage, third party claim number; Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) number if accessing a government funded payment program.
ABCOS will collect personal information for the following purposes:
Treatment and care of client
Report findings to family or referring physician
Billing and collection of payments from client and/or third party providers
Consent – Applied Biomechanics shall obtain the knowledge and consent of individuals for the collection or disclosure of personal information except where required or permitted by law. An individual can provide consent to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information about them expressly or implicitly. ABCOS will obtain verbal and/or written consent before it collects personal information from all new customers.
Limiting Collection – Applied Biomechanics shall only collect personal information that is required for the specified legitimate business purposes.
Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention – Applied Biomechanics shall not use or disclose personal information except with the consent of the individual or where required or permitted by law. ABCOS will only use the personal information for the purpose for which it was collected as identified in principle #2, unless consent is given by the individual to use or disclose it for another purpose.
Accuracy – Applied Biomechanics has an obligation to ensure that personal information is accurate, complete and up-to-date for the purpose for which it was collected. Individuals may challenge the accuracy and completeness of personal information about them and have it amended, as appropriate.
Safeguards – Applied Biomechanics shall take reasonable steps to protect personal information against unauthorized use, access or disclosure in accordance with its obligations at law. Such safeguards will include physical measures, organizational measures and technological measures, for example locked filing cabinets, limiting access on a ‘need to know’ basis and use of passwords. Procedures for implementing these measures will be communicated to all employees.
Openness – The Applied Biomechanics Privacy policy and procedures shall be made available to individuals upon request and via the website.
Individual Access – Upon request, an individual can have access to the personal information about them that ABCOS has in its possession or control. Any client may request that their personal information be amended for purposes of accuracy and completeness
Challenging Compliance – Any client of ABCOS may challenge ABCOS’s compliance with this Privacy policy by contacting ABCOS directly. If the client is not satisfied with the way ABCOS has responded to a complaint, the client can contact the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Should you have any questions concerning your personal information, please contact our privacy officer (contact person) as follows:
Cathy Rayner
214 Speedvale Ave. w., Unit 7
Guelph, On
N1H 1C4
cray@appliedbiomechanics.com
Workplace Violence Policy
Applied Biomechanics Custom Orthotic Services Inc.
The management of Applied Biomechanics is committed to the prevention of workplace violence and is ultimately responsible for worker health and safety. We will take whatever steps are reasonable to protect our workers from workplace violence from all sources.
Violent behaviour in the workplace is unacceptable from anyone. This policy applies to management and employees as well as visitors, clients, delivery persons, volunteers and any other persons in our office. Everyone is expected to uphold this policy and to work together to prevent workplace violence.
There is a workplace violence program that implements this policy. It includes measures and procedures to protect workers from workplace violence, a means of summoning immediate assistance and a process for workers to report incidents, or raise concerns.
Applied Biomechanics, as the employer, will ensure that this policy and the supporting program are implemented and maintained and that all workers and supervisors have the appropriate information and instruction to protect them from violence in the workplace.
Supervisors will adhere to this policy and the supporting program. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that measures and procedures are followed by workers and that workers have the information and instruction to protect themselves.
Every worker must work in compliance with this policy and the supporting program. All workers are encouraged to raise any concerns about workplace violence and to report any violent incidents or threats.
Management pledges to investigate and deal with all incidents and complaints of workplace violence in a timely and fair manner, respecting the privacy of all concerned.
The workplace harassment policy should be consulted whenever there are concerns about harassment in the workplace.
Workplace Harassment Policy
Applied Biomechanics Custom Orthotic Services Inc.
The management of Applied Biomechanics is committed to providing a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.
Workplace harassment will not be tolerated from any person in the workplace including management and employees as well as visitors, clients, delivery persons, volunteers and any other persons in our office. Everyone in the workplace must be dedicated to preventing workplace harassment and will be held accountable.
Workplace harassment means engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct against a worker, in a workplace, that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. Harassment may also relate to a form of discrimination as set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code, but it does not limited to the code.
This policy is not intended to limit or constrain the reasonable exercise of management functions in the workplace.
Workers are encouraged to report any incidents of workplace harassment. Management will investigate and deal with all concerns, complaints, or incidents of workplace harassment in a timely and fair manner while respecting privacy of all concerned.
Nothing in this policy prevents or discourages a worker from filing an application with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal on a matter related to the Ontario Human Rights Code within one year of the last alleged incident. A worker also retains the right to exercise any other legal avenues available
The workplace violence policy should be consulted whenever there are concerns about violence in the workplace.
Accessible Customer Service Plan
Applied Biomechanics Custom Orthotic Services Inc.
Providing Goods and Services to People with Disabilities
Applied Biomechanics is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities.
Assistive devices
We will ensure that our staff are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our goods or services.
Communication
We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability.
Service animals
We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals. Service animals are allowed on the parts of our premises that are open to the public.
Support persons
A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person accompany them on our premises.
Notice of temporary disruption
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities for customers with disabilities, Applied Biomechanics will notify customers promptly. This clearly posted notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated length of time, and a description of alternative facilities or services, if available.
The notice will be placed in the reception area.
Training for staff
Applied Biomechanics will provide training to all employees, volunteers and others who deal with the public or other third parties on their behalf.
This training will be provided to staff in their first two weeks of employment or volunteering with Applied Biomechanics.
Training will include:
- An overview of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard
- Applied Biomechanics accessible customer service plan.
- How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities
- How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person
- What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Applied Biomechanics goods and services
Staff will also be trained when changes are made to your accessible customer service plan.
Feedback process
Customers who wish to provide feedback on the way Applied Biomechanics provides goods and services to people with disabilities can mail or email us. All feedback will be directed to Mr. Fred Rayner. Customers can expect to hear back in 5 business days. Complaints will be addressed according to our organization’s regular complaint management procedures.
Modifications to this or other policies
Any policy of Applied Biomechanics that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be modified or removed.