1. CASUAL EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
HEALTH AND SAFETY
ORIENTATION

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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
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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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?