Safety at Work - incident prevention, safe work practices and emergency preparedness
Saanich Schools is committed to promoting positive attitudes toward accident prevention and developing safe working practices. Saanich Schools encourages employees to take an active role in contributing to a healthy and safe work environment and to regularly review information for preventing workplace injuries and occupational disease.
Rights and Responsibilties
Be aware of your rights and responsibilities under the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. See the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation to understand your responsibility to follow the OHS Regulation, report unsafe conditions, wear personal protective equipment and follow other health and safety rules. See the OHS Regulation to review your right to refuse unsafe work.
Be sure to ask your supervisor for site-specific or task-specific safety training.
Hazardous Material and Controlled Product Safety
Material Safety Data Sheets - Employees can review detailed hazard, precautionary and emergency information for products used in Saanich Schools through an on-line Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) system:MSDS Online. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) should be reviewed before a product is used in the workplace.
Go to: www.msdsonline.com
Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) - Review health and safety information about controlled products in order to work safely with and near hazardous materials in the workplace:
WHMIS 2015 for Employers Overview Video
WHMIS 2015 for Workers Overview Video
WHMIS at Work Publication
Government of Canada WHMIS 2015
Incident / Accident Prevention and Safe Work Practices
Accident Prevention in Schools
Slips, Trips and Falls in Schools
Prevention of Slips, Trips and Falls
Safe Work Practices for Custodians
Safety Handbook for Technology Education Teachers - Heads Up for Safety
Asbestos Awareness
Asbestos - this animation shows how asbestos fibres could damage lung tissue and lead to lung disease
Safe Work Practices for Handling Asbestos
Ergonomics
Lifting/moving
Back Talk – An owner’s manual for backs
WorkSafe BC - Understanding the Risks of Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI)
WorkSafe BC - How to Make Your Computer Workstation Fit You
Prevention of Back Injury
Stretching at The Workstation
Hearing Loss Prevention
Hear for Good - Preventing Noise Exposure at Work
Testing Your Hearing - How and Why
How to use Foam Ear Plugs (disposable ear plugs)
How Loud is It? - Schools
Ladder Safety Training
Worker Responsibilities
Assess the Risks
Choose a Safe Location
Set-up Requirements
New and Young Worker Safety
Young/ New Worker Safety
Young Workers: Your rights and responsibilities
Road Safety
Plan Before You Drive Students: Reduce the Risk of Workplace Violence
Distracted Driving
Road Safety at Work
Safeguarding Machinery and Equipment
Sun Safety
Sprain and Strain Prevention
In addition to encouraging employees to stay active through the drop-in fitness activities offered at their facility, Panorama Recreation has partnered with Saanich School District through the the Employee Wellness Program to develop injury prevention and mobility exercises for district employees. When performed on a regular basis these exercises are a simple yet effective way to avoid strains and sprains and help employees take an active role in maintaining their health and wellness.
Warm-Up/ Mobility Exercises
This set of eight exercises can help get you ready for physical tasks or activities. If your work involves lifting, bending, crouching, leaning, reaching or turning you can prepare your body by taking just a few minutes before you start to warm-up.
Choose only the exercises that are right for you. If any of the exercises cause pain or discomfort you should not do them. It is important to perform the exercises correctly. You should view the video demonstration below before attempting the exercises.
The goal is eight (8) repetitions of each exercise that you find comfortable to perform. With each repetition you can try to gently stretch slightly further than the last. You could start with 2 repetitions and gradually build up to eight reps over a period of time.
Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Warm-up/ Mobility Demonstration VideoDesk Stretch Exercises
This set of six exercises can help you increase body movement and avoid muscle tension while sitting at a desk. If your work involves sitting for long periods of time you can keep your body more flexible and relieve muscle tension or stiffness by taking just a few minutes for stretch and movement breaks during the day.
Choose only the exercises that are right for you. If any of the exercises cause pain or discomfort you should not do them. It is important to perform the exercises correctly. You should view the video demonstration below before attempting the exercises.
The goal is eight (8) repetitions of each exercise that you find comfortable to perform. With each repetition you can try to gently stretch slightly further than the last. You could start with 2 repetitions and gradually build up to eight reps over a period of time. Set a reminder on your phone or calendar for an hourly posture check or a periodic stretch break throughout your work day.
Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
Desk Stretch Exercise Handout
Emergency Preparedness
Check with your supervisor for site specific emergency evacuation procedures and emergency equipment locations.
Emergency Management BC
EMBC Earthquake and Tsunami Smart Manual
PreparedBC: Build an Emergency Kit
PreparedBC: Household Preparedness Guide
PreparedBC In it Together: Neighborhood Preparedness Guide
Government of Canada - Get Prepared
Your Emergency Preparedness Guide
Saanich Emergency Program
Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization
For more information about safety, visit www.worksafebc.com or contact Saanich Schools Health & Safety Department 250-652-7327