Policy Manual

D-200-AR: Occupational Health and Safety of Staff and Students

References:

• D-200; D-200-BR
• A-150, Discrimination and Harassment
• A-170, Whistle-Blower Protection
• Education Act S. 53(1)(d)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act; Occupational Health and Safety Regulation; Occupational Health and Safety Code
• Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act; Environmental Protection and Enhancement (Miscellaneous) Regulations (AR 118/93)
• Workers’ Compensation Act; Workers’ Compensation Regulation
• Public Health Act
  
  

1. Principals, site/central office administrators and supervisors shall:
   1. provide the leadership and management necessary for the overall implementation of the division health and safety policy within their areas of responsibility;
   2. plan and conduct all worksite activities in a manner that promotes compliance with legislation and the division health and safety program;
   3. ensure worksite hazard assessments are completed within their areas of responsibility;
   4. inform all staff and others present at the worksite about existing or potential worksite hazards and site specific health and safety requirements;
   5. ensure that all work-related injuries, illness and incidents with the potential to cause serious injury/illness are reported, investigated, and that corrective action is taken to prevent a recurrence;
   6. ensure that staff are given information, equipment, and training so they can perform their work in a safe manner;
   7. take corrective action to deal with unsafe acts or conditions identified by staff or identified during workplace hazard assessments, inspections and incident investigations;
   8. ensure that safeguards and safety devices including personal protective equipment are available and used; and
   9. stop any work they perceive to be presenting imminent danger to an individual present at the worksite.
2. Division staff,  and students (where applicable) shall:
   1. protect themselves and others by adopting responsible behaviours and attitudes toward health and safety;
   2. observe all safety rules and procedures established by the regulatory authorities, the division, and their school or site;
   3. comply with WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) standards;
   4. practice safe work habits including use of any safeguards or personal protective equipment provided;
   5. attend and use mandated health and safety training;
   6. promptly report hazardous or unsafe equipment, acts or conditions to a supervisor, make suggestions for their correction, or take corrective action where authorized; and
   7. immediately report to a supervisor all work-related injuries, illness and incidents with the potential to cause serious injury, and obtain first aid/medical treatment without delay; refuse to perform any task they know to be unsafe; and actively participate in and support return-to-work accommodation programs for themselves and others.
      1. Individuals covered by Workers’ Compensation who are injured while carrying out his/her duties shall, within the specified time, fill out any forms required by the Workers’ Compensation Board.
      2. Individuals not covered under Workers’ Compensation shall report to their immediate supervisor any injury caused by an accident while carrying out their duties.  The supervisor shall report such accident injury to the Associate Superintendent, Finance and Facilities.
3. All individuals frequenting division schools and/or sites shall:
   1. protect themselves and others by adopting responsible behaviours and attitudes toward health and safety; and
   2. observe all safety rules and procedures established by the regulatory authorities, the division, and their school or site.
4. Principals and Supervisors will:
   1. provide educational programs and resources which will assist in the development of sound safety practices for the health and safety of staff and students;
   2. appoint one person to be responsible for the coordination of health and safety programs and resources in the school/site;
   3. maintain accurate records of accidents, complaints or concerns of safety, harassment or violence at the school/site and the treatment provided to resolve;
   4. conduct and/or facilitate safety inspections; and
   5. report accidents to the superintendent or designate and the Workers’ Compensation Board as required.
5. Each staff member is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of themselves and of the students in their charge by:
   1. cooperating with the division administrator/supervisor of each school/site for the purposes of health and safety;
   2. using and wearing personal protective equipment;
   3. reporting unsafe or unhealthy conditions; and
   4. refraining from causing or participating in violence or harassment.
6. Students have the responsibility to conduct themselves in accordance with safe practices and procedures. This requires students to:
   1. conduct themselves according to acceptable established safety practices and rules; and
   2. identify unsafe practices, possible health concerns or environmental conditions and report these to the school staff.
7. Parents have the responsibility to:
   1. inform the school/site about relevant student medical problems arising in the context of an occupational health and safety-related hazard; and
   2. inform the school/site if they wish their child to be excluded from particular course activities that may be potentially hazardous.