CASUAL EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT HEALTH AND SAFETY ORIENTATION

Our goal is to achieve a strong culture of safety This Orientation is meant to introduce you to the AVRSB safety program and culture. Take the time to read the full program and ask questions when you don’t understand. You may receive on-going training from your supervisor, specific to the students you will be working with. AVRSB is currently a multi-location organization led by a Board, Superintendent and Staff with the administrative head office in Berwick. We have a staff Occupational Health & Safety Officer and numerous administration, operation and school based JOHS Committees; all working together to make this a happy, positive and respectful place to learn, work and visit.

ROLE OF THE AVRSB OHS OFFICER Coordinate and oversee the organization and administration of OHS Coach, mentor and provide information Liaise with outside agencies Provide advice to Supervisors to ensure that employees are provided with knowledge, materials and equipment to perform work safely Assist employees, JOHS Committees and management proactively and when requested or required

AVRSB HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY The essence of the policy is: Management expects all persons in the workplace to share responsibility for their own safety and is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy place to learn and work. They recognize the need to identify and eliminate or control hazards and are committed to implementing all requirements of safety legislation.

JOHSC Regional Office The safety system is designed to Operations Schools Superintendent Principals Supervisors AVRSB OHS Officer Outside Agencies DLAE & WCBNS Employees The safety system is designed to involve many partners JOINT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEES (JOHSC) are made up of employee and employer representatives They meet regularly to hear and address workplace safety issues Find out about YOUR JOHSC from your supervisor

OHS LEGISLATION The Occupational Health and Safety Act provides for the promotion, co-ordination, administration and enforcement of occupational safety and health in the Province. Regulations have the effect of spelling out the specific requirements of the legislation and may be formatted to prescribe specific standards or performance. Regulations may also have general application or apply to a particular hazard or a particular type of work or workplace.

IRS Nova Scotia's Occupational Health and Safety Act is based on the idea that the primary responsibility for occupational health and safety is shared by everyone connected with that workplace — including employers, employees, contractors, owners and suppliers. This is known as the Internal Responsibility System (IRS). Since some people at the workplace have greater ability to influence health and safety decisions at the workplace, they bear more responsibility than someone with less authority.

RIGHTS The right to KNOW about hazards and other health & safety information that applies to the workplace. The right to PARTICIPATE in cooperative health & safety initiatives in the workplace. The right to REFUSE UNSAFE WORK.

AVRSB HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAM The safety program includes: JOHSC New Hire Orientation Communication Hazard Management Incident Management Personal Protective Equipment OHS Training Safe Work Practices / Procedures Emergency Management OHS Rules & Discipline +++ The complete Health & Safety Program can be found on our MyAVRSB site. Each employee is responsible to familiarize themselves with safety information and to refresh this knowledge from time to time through supervisor led safety talks, job procedures, personal review and other training opportunities.

RULES Rules are in place to prevent injuries and property damage A few mentioned in the Safety Program include: All employees must wear required PPE Horseplay, fighting, harassment are prohibited First aid treatment must be obtained promptly for injuries Good housekeeping practices are required in all areas All incidents are to be reported to your immediate supervisor

HAZARD & INCIDENT REPORTING The process for reporting a hazard is: Supervisor first JOHSC Representative if necessary OHS Officer at Dept. of Labour and Advanced Education as a final option, only when you feel that the other steps in the process did not address your concerns. The process for reporting an incident or injury is: * Report all incidents and injuries immediately to your Supervisor. Principals and Managers/ Supervisors will follow a process for reporting, based on the incident and injury severity.

RTW A return-to-work program is simply a plan to help injured workers return to productive employment as soon as it’s safe to do so. Getting you back on the job is an important part of your recovery process. AVRSB has committed to preventing injuries, but if an injury occurs, we want to do everything possible to work cooperatively with our employees, WCB representatives, physiotherapist and medical staff to assist and ensure that options are available that allow you to be safe, healthy and productive at work.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PPE – protects workers from hazards in the workplace. At AVRSB, Casual Educational Assistants working with students may be required to wear: Armguards and additional PPE as required, depending on the work and circumstances. Other considerations include how you wear your hair, removing all jewelry, etc.

SAFE WORK PRACTICES & PROCEDURES Ask your Supervisor about Safe Work Practices and Procedures that apply to the work you will be doing. We encourage your participation in identifying any work tasks that you feel should have a written practice or procedure. Safe work practices (SWP) are a written method of how to perform a job safely. Written safe work procedures (WSWP) are a step-by-step guide on how to perform a task from start to finish including safety precautions that must be taken while performing the task.

EMERGENCIES Names of First Aiders are posted on the Safety Communication Board and regular practices are organized to ensure competencies. Emergency exits are marked and evacuation plans posted in the workplace. Muster Areas are usually marked. Ask your supervisor for details. * In the event of an emergency, follow the instructions of your supervisor and the Building Fire Wardens.

TRAINING Employees will be provided with the training necessary to perform their work safely; which may include orientation, mentoring, in-house and external courses, in-house scenario practices, safety talks and other refresher training that is identified and documented by supervisors; such as Non- Violent Crisis Intervention. All training that is mandated by the Health and Safety Act and regulations, will be completed and refreshed as required. If you feel that you require additional information or training in order to safely carry out work tasks, talk with your supervisor.

WHMIS 2015 Employees may be trained in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System 2015, depending on their role SDS (safety data sheets) are accessible in the event of an incident involving chemicals A training database is maintained, including records for WHMIS training. If you feel that you need a WHMIS Refresher at any time, talk with your Supervisor

SMOKING The Annapolis Valley Regional School Board believes it has a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for students and employees. For this reason, all facilities and property under the jurisdiction of the Board are tobacco-free. Tobacco-Free Schools and Workplaces Board Policy BP 101.3

PROTECT YOURSELF While it is the responsibility of AVRSB to provide a safe workplace, and your responsibility to work safely; the EA role presents special hazards that need to be considered. Work with your Supervisor to address all hazards. Violence (physical and emotional) Bio-hazards Work related stress Ergonomic issues

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?