Use of Public Lockers Procedure

Purpose statement

This procedure defines the standards and guidelines for the acceptable use of Town of Oakville (town) lockers by members and facility patrons, as well as establishes a procedure to outline when town staff will carry out a locker inspection.

Scope

This procedure applies to all town lockers made available for public use at town facilities.

Procedure

Compliance

Town resource(s) must be used in compliance with applicable laws or regulations, professional standards, and corporate policies and procedures.

Members and facility patrons that have paid to use the services provided within a facility requiring the use of a locker are provided one locker by the town, should a locker be available, for storage of street clothes and other personal items during the time of facility usage.

Members and facility patrons must vacate lockers daily, after each time of facility usage and may only be used during the time of participation in activities.

Staff has the right to determine if lockers will be secured with town-owned locks or allow the use of personal locks.

The Town of Oakville is not responsible for any valuables or belongings left inside the lockers. This includes cell phones, jewelry, cash, etc.

Terms of use

• Members and facility patrons that have paid to use the services provided within a town facility requiring the use of a locker will be provided one locker for storage of personal items during business hours and for the time that they are using such services.
• Exceptions can be made at certain facilities upon the discretion of the Facility Management.

Health and safety

Flammable material, dangerous chemicals, explosives or weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited inside the lockers.  Food and perishables may not be stored inside lockers.

Personal use

Items stored or displayed in lockers must be free from discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or any other material that could be deemed as inappropriate or offensive.

Preserving assets

Members and facility patrons are not permitted to modify lockers or affix anything to the interior or exterior of lockers.

Inspection

The town respects the personal privacy of its members and facility patrons. The town endeavours to uphold such privacy but retains the right to inspect lockers in circumstances affecting business interests, including, but not limited to, loss prevention, safety, security, discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment.

Should such circumstances arise, members and facility patrons will be given notice, where possible, of the reason for the inspection or investigation, and the inspection process to be implemented, noted in the next section.

Members and facility patrons are expected to cooperate with these procedures and may be subject to police intervention, where a reasonable request has been made under this procedure.

Inspections of lockers may be conducted where the town reasonably believes that such an inspection is necessary to prevent, impede or reduce the risk of, but not limited to, the following:

1. physical injury or illness to any person;
2. damage to personal or town property;
3. violation with applicable laws or regulations, and town policies and procedures;
4. chemicals or fluids that have a noticeable odour or can be visibly seen coming out of the locker;
5. a locker containing items that may be rotting, spoiling or mildewing (i.e. food items, etc.).

Inspection Process

Inspection of lockers will be carried out as follows;

• inspection will be carried out in the least intrusive manner possible under the circumstances;
• members, facility patrons, or their designate, are entitled to be present during an inspection, where possible;
• inspection will be carried out in the presence of a witness;
• photographs of contents may be taken at the discretion of management;
• any illegal substances found in the locker will be turned over to appropriate authorities;
• any results of the inspection will be kept confidential and not be disclosed except to the town’s agents, appropriate authorities or as may be required by law.

Every reasonable effort will be made to follow the steps of the inspection process however in the event of an emergency the town reserves the right to inspect the locker without notice.

Removal of items from lockers

Should a lock be left intact on a locker after business hours and it is noticed by facility staff, a written notice will be placed on the locker with instructions to remove the lock within 48 hours. If such lock remains on the locker, facility staff including a witness will cut the lock and follow the town’s Lost and Found Procedure.

Consequences of non-compliance

Misuse of a locker may lead to termination of locker privileges. Users who fail to comply with the Public Use of Lockers Procedure and associated guidelines may be subject to termination of membership, ban from town facility use or other sanctions as appropriate.

Definitions

Personal Items: privately owned items (such as clothing and jewelry) normally worn or carried on the person.

Responsibilities

Members and facility patrons:

1. adhering to Use of Public Lockers Procedure and all underlying requirements;
2. reporting any known or suspected violations to the Facility Management staff.

Management:

1. making members and the facility patrons aware of the Use of Public Lockers Procedure and all underlying requirements
2. Administration of the procedure and reporting any contraventions to the appropriate authorities;