Occupational health and safety (OHS) laws work on an internal responsibility system (IRS). Everyone takes care, for their own safety and the safety of others.
Source: Part 1 of Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act (SA 2020, cO-2.2)
Teachers
Teachers are “workers” under OHS laws.
Workers have rights:
- To know about hazards in schools
- To join in health and safety discussions
Workers also have obligations:
- Following the law
- Protecting their own health and safety and that of others
- Following all health and safety rules
- Helping with hazard assessments
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed
- Helping to create workplaces free of harassment or violence
- Reporting health and safety concerns to the principal
- Helping any person exercising a duty under the law
Principals
Principals are “supervisors” under the law.
Principals have obligations:
- Following the law
- Knowing the law and how to apply it
- Knowing the law and how to supervise workers
- Safeguarding workers’ health and safety
- Making sure work happens in a healthy and safe workplace
- Making sure workers follow all OHS rules
- Making sure workers use PPE when needed
- Making sure workers are free from harassment or violence
- Making sure workers know about likely work hazards
- Giving workers a chance to help with hazard assessments
- Reporting all health and safety concerns to the school division
- Helping any person exercising a duty under the law
School divisions
School divisions are “employers” under the law.
Employers have responsibilities:
- Complying with the law
- Safeguarding workers’ and visitors’ health and safety
- Making sure everyone knows their rights and responsibilities under the law
- Making sure workers know about workplace health and safety issues
- Making sure supervisors know and can apply the law
- Training workers in how to protect their own health and safety and that of others
- Making sure workers are free from harassment or violence at work
- Resolving concerns through the joint site health and safety committees or representatives
- Acting to resolve health and safety concerns without delay
- Helping any person exercising a duty under the law
