Ensuring that our school communities are safer and healthier places to learn and to work is an important part of supporting student achievement and educator excellence.

Accidents, deaths, and injuries have far reaching effects on students, educators, families and communities. The fact is they are preventable, and everyone has a role to play in that prevention. 
Sam Hammond, ETFO President

Schools with better physical conditions show improved academic performance. 
(Environmental Protection Agency, USA)

To help ensure that students have acceptable, suitable environments to learn in, the Ministry of Education should develop an ongoing process to identify and address urgent capital renewal needs before schools become prohibitive to repair. 
School Renewal and Maintenance, 2010 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario

This awareness training will lay the foundation for building a strong occupational health and safety culture in the province of Ontario. 
George Gritziotis, Chief Prevention Officer, Province of Ontario

Ensuring health and safety in schools is an essential part of any supervisory officer’s responsibilities. 
Council of Ontario Directors of Education

Safe workplaces mean safe learning environments for students. 
Sam Hammond, ETFO President

The work to prevent student injuries and to ensure student health and safety is by no means complete (CODE 2014)
If it’s difficult to report a health and safety concern, get help from your steward or your ETFO local.

Workplace complaints to the ministry about exposures to chemicals and a lack of proper ventilation are often associated with larger-scale maintenance activities or renovations. 
(Education sub-sector, Industrial Sector Plan 2012-2013, Ministry of Labour)

Workplace violence and harassment, “is a concern when working with students in general, and particularly for educational assistants and teachers who work with special needs students.” 
(Education sub-sector, Industrial Sector Plan 2012-2013, Ministry of Labour)

Worker health issues include seasonal infections. 
(Education sub-sector, Industrial Sector Plan 2012-2013, Ministry of Labour)

A strong safety culture is dependent upon demonstrating a commitment to safety by the senior management of an organization. 
Council of Ontario Directors of Education

Overall, it may be time for boards to undertake development of a strategic plan for student success that integrates academic achievement along with student health, safety and well-being” (CODE 2014)
A safer, healthier workplace means you can be
at your professional best without the stress of illness or injury.
  • ETFO MOU Task Force Report
    Health and Safety
  • Training
  • Workplace Violence, Workplace Harassment, and Serious Student Incidents
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Construction
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Asbestos
  • Joint Health and Safety Committees
  • Slips,Trips and Falls
  • Electrical Hazards
  • Infection Prevention and Control
  • Reporting Hazards
  • The Health and Safety Bulletin Board
  • Government Connections
  • Health and Safety in the Media

Media Links

  • Teachers’ union raises alarm over rising violence in schools
  • Hot classrooms a problem in local elementary schools
  • We need $867M, and 10,000 spare keys
  • Peel District School Board Fined $50,000 After Student Injured in Manufacturing Classroom
  • Poor air quality in Toronto schools could impair learning environment
  • Making Ontario schools healthier and safer, RadioLabour Canada
  • Provincial task force tables 22 recommendations for healthier, safer school communities
  • All Ontario teachers should be given classroom keys, task force says, Toronto Star, October 9, 2014
  • ETFO urges lockdown training for supply teachers, Toronto Star, August 15, 2013

NEWS Archive

ETFO Health and Safety
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