Student Teachers and Co-op Students are Workers under the OHSA
Student teachers and co-op students are now defined as “workers” under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. During their placements, they have the same rights and responsibilities for health and safety as any paid worker in the school board.
It is really important for co-op students and student teachers to understand that their workplace supervisor for health and safety is the principal. The principal must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect the health and safety of all workers – including these young workers. The associate teacher who mentors the student teacher and the elementary teacher who hosts the co-op student are workers who are taking on voluntary professional roles. Student teachers and co-op students have been included as workers under the OHSA to improve their health and safety during their workplace placements.