5.6 Occupational Health & Safety

Educators support children by maintaining a safe and healthy environment through the prevention and management of illnesses, by ensuring safety checklists are regularly completed, by conducting daily health checks, through modeling appropriate nutritional practices, and through the implementation of so many more measures. Educators are entitled to work in safe and healthy workplaces while they are nurturing the wellness and growth of young children.

Employers have the responsibility to provide safe working environments for employees. Employers are accountable to the Ministry of Labour and must provide health and safety training for all employees. Employees have the right to understand how to protect themselves and keep others safe in workspaces.

Educators, working in licensed child care, are in a unique position as licensed child care organizations are exempt from Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage (Essential HR, 2023). Many larger licensed child care organizations opt into WSIB coverage but some organizations manage worker health and safety issues through independent insurance policies. Regardless of the type of insurance coverage it is mandatory for all places of employment to provide basic workplace safety training for employees.

It is important to read and understand all occupational health and safety policies within an organization before beginning work in the learning space. This helps inform practice for educators to help them ensure their own personal safety as well as the safety of their co-workers. A health and safety information board will be posted near the employee area for additional information and a copy of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations: The Green Book.

Employees of an early years setting also receive basic health and safety training, information about hazardous materials through Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training, and knowledge of preventative measures to ensure optimal health and safety conditions for all employees while working in their specified positions.

Occupational Health and Safety Committees & Representatives

Workplaces with more than 20 employees must have a joint health and safety committee (OHSA, 2023). The joint health and safety committee has a minimum of one worker representative and one employer representative. At least one worker and employer member of the joint health and safety committee must participate in approved mandatory training to receive certification.

Any workplace with 6 – 19 employees must have a health and safety employee representative (OHSA, 2023). Regular monthly health and safety inspections must be conducted by the worker representative with concerns reported to management. Employers must rectify concerns as soon as possible to ensure safe workplaces for employees. Worker representatives are nominated by staff in the workplace.

Workplace Violence and Harassment Policies

Employees have the right to be free from violence and harassment in the workplace in Ontario. Early years settings have policies in place to prevent workplace violence and harassment. These policies will be introduced during the orientation process.

For more information about workplace violence and harassment read this brochure from the Ministry of Labour.

Safe Lifting Techniques

Educators are often lifting children up onto change tables, carrying infants around the classroom to soothe them when they are upset, and bending over to pick up toys when cleaning up the learning space. Educators need to protect their backs when lifting, bending, kneeling, and carrying heavy loads. Training in safe lifting techniques can help educators protect their backs and ensure physical wellness when working in early years settings.