Occupational health and safety for teachers

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 2017, cO-2.1)

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

Read more about OHS law.