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Administrative Procedure 160: HEALTH AND SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND STAFF

Background

The Division is committed to providing a safe and healthy study and work environment for its students, staff members, volunteers, contractors, and the general public.

The Division’s objective is to prevent all work-related illnesses, injury and property damage in all work execution and operations of the Division. This will be achieved by creating a work atmosphere in which health and safety are implemented with everyday operations. All employees of all levels are responsible and accountable for the Division’s health and safety performance and to comply with the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Code and Regulations, and the Workers’ Compensation Act.

Procedures

  1. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, all staff members have the responsibility to ensure the health and safety of students, colleagues, visiting public, and themselves. 
    1. All Division administrators, staff and contractors shall comply with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation.
    2. All Division personnel and contractors shall comply with WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) 2015 standards.
    3. All Division personnel and contractors who, as part of their duties, either use or may be exposed to hazardous chemicals shall take a WHMIS 2015 training course.
    4. All students in laboratory courses shall have a safety training session.

  2. Principals/Supervisors and Head Custodian shall:
    1. Be familiar with WHMIS;
    2. Ensure that the school’s (or department’s) copy of the yellow WHMIS binder is kept current.
    3. Review WHMIS requirements with their staffs each September;
    4. Ensure that yearly inventories of chemicals are conducted; 
    5. Ensure all chemicals and hazardous materials are labelled, stored and used according to WHMIS 2015; and
    6. Ensure that SDS (Safety Data Sheet) sheets are available and current.

  3. The establishment and maintenance of safe learning and working conditions are to be the primary consideration for supervisors and staff.
    1. Appropriate staff shall participate in WHMIS training and information programs provided by the Division.
    2. Principal/Supervisors with questions regarding WHMIS are to contact the Health and Safety Coordinator. Other Division staff with questions regarding WHMIS are to contact their Principal/ Supervisor.

  4. Each Principal, in consultation with staff, shall develop procedures that prescribe the rules of safe operation of the entire school, with specific attention paid to areas such as laboratories, shops and commercial kitchens within the school. Such procedures shall address:
    1. Safe and secure storage, current inventory lists, and disposal, where needed, of chemicals and hazardous materials;
    2. WHMIS 2015 labelling of all chemicals and hazardous materials;
    3. Safe and secure storage and use of laboratory equipment according to the Safety Data Sheets (SDS);
    4. Safe use of natural gas and security when gas is not in use;
    5. Appropriate teacher supervision of students in all activities;
    6. The training of staff in the hazards, use and maintenance of equipment and chemicals, as well as any procedures and activities.           
    7. The training of students in any safety procedures relevant to the work they are doing;   
    8. Provide required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to staff and students as per the SDS and ensure the proper use and maintenance of all PPE; and
    9. Any other measures required to ensure the safety of students and staff at the school.

  5. The development and implementation of safety and accident prevention programs are mandatory in order to develop a learning and working environment that promotes health and safety. The Division will:
    1. Provide the education and tools required so all employees are aware of their responsibilities and duties under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Code and Regulations.
    2. Ensure that there is a Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committee (JWHSC) with representation from all areas of the Division and each worksite to review Occupational Health and Safety issues, hazards, and incidents, as well as promote safe, healthy worksites and provide recommendations. 
    3. Ensure that regular inspection of division sites occur as per Appendix B: Workplace Inspections.

  6. Certification in the Transportation and Handling of Dangerous Goods (TDG) shall be a  condition of employment for those employees as determined by the Operations and Maintenance Supervisor.
    1. Only certified personnel will handle or transport goods identified as dangerous goods, under specific procedures as developed by the JWHSC.
    2. Dangerous goods not properly labelled, placarded or documented will not be handled or transported.

  7. The provision of instruction and training to students and staff is essential in order to encourage safe working practices and to ensure an appropriate response in the event of an accident.
    1. All employees shall complete periodically assigned health and safety training courses assigned through Public School WORKS, an online training system.
    2. In order to ensure that there are staff members proficient in administering first aid, the Division encourages staff members to take a standard Level C AED first aid course.  
      1. The Principal/Supervisor shall ensure there is a proper level of first aid training in the building.
        1. At a minimum, ten percent (10%) of the school staff shall have a current first-aid certificate.
        2. At least one (1) member of the office staff shall have a current first-aid certificate

    3. Any staff member who is injured while carrying out their duties for the Division shall report the incident through Public School Works - Staff Accident Management to the Health and Safety Coordinator and the Principal within 24 hours of the incident or seek medical attention. If online access is not available, staff can fill out and email the Form 160-1 Staff Incident Report Form. For specific reporting procedures please see Appendix A: Incident Reporting Procedures. 
    4. Staff will report all incidents involving students, volunteers, contractors, or members of the public that are injured on Division property, under the care or direction of Division staff, or while conducting Division business. Staff will fill out and submit Form 160-2 Student Incident Report Form or Form 160-3 Volunteer/Contractor/Public Incident Report Form within 24 hours of the incident or being notified of the incident. For specific reporting procedures please see Appendix A: Incident Reporting Procedures.
    5. The application of Universal Precautions, meaning the application of strategies for isolation precautions to prevent the spread of blood-borne infections by applying Blood and Body Fluid precautions universally to all persons regardless of their presumed infection status, is mandatory for all staff members (Administrative Procedure 161: Communicable Diseases)
      1. Universal Precautions in a school setting shall apply to the isolation of all moist and potentially infectious body substances (blood, feces, urine, sputum, saliva, wound drainage, and other body fluids) from all persons regardless of their presumed infection status through the use of protective gloves.
      2. Staff members shall put on clean protective gloves just before contact with mucous membranes, non-intact skin and for anticipated contact with moist body substances. Protective gloves are to be removed promptly after use, before handling non-contaminated items or environmental surfaces. Hands are to be washed immediately to avoid the transfer of microorganisms to others or environments.
      3. The Principal or Division Office administrator shall ensure that an adequate supply of protective gloves is available to all staff members and that all staff members have knowledge of storage locations and easy access to the protective gloves.
      4. Principals shall ensure that procedures are developed for the application of universal precautions in the school environment.
      5. All incidents involving the spread of blood or body fluid will be reported as per 7.3 Staff Incident reporting procedures or 7.4 Student Incident reporting procedures. 

Appendix

Appendix A: Incident Reporting Procedures

Appendix B: Workplace Inspections

Form160-1: Staff Incident Report Form

Form 160-2: Student Incident Report Form

Form 160-3: Volunteer/Contractor/Public Incident Report Form

Reference:

Section 11, 33, 52, 53, 196, 197, 222 Education Act
Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code 
Workers’ Compensation Act
Public Health Act-Communicable Diseases Regulation
Alberta Building Code
Alberta Fire Code

Approved: August 21, 2018

Amended: May 28, 2019; January 7, 2020

Reviewed: July 2021