Safety in Science and
Technological Education
Procedures Manual 604-A
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First Adopted:
Revision History:
Next Review:
1.
Program
Superintendents of Program and Student Success and
Manager of Health and Safety
Jan 2003
Sept 2007, June 2014
As required or 2018-19 School Year
General
These procedures set out the expectations to ensure safety in elementary and
secondary science and technological education classes. The intent of a safe
science or technological education program is not to put rigid restrictions on
what teachers and students can experience; rather, a safe program minimizes
unnecessary risk while ensuring the delivery of an engaging hands-on
education.
2.
Definitions
Student Safety Agreement
Student Safety Agreement is a Board-wide standardized list of rules that has
been provided to, and signed by, students and parents to clearly communicate
safety expectations and consequences.
Student Safety Passport and Record
Student Safety Passport and Record is a Board-wide standardized form for use
by teachers to document student safety training and record any safety notes or
concerns about a student.
UGDSB Restricted and Banned Chemical List
UGDSB Restricted and Banned Chemical List is adapted from the Science
Teachers’ Association of Ontario document “Safer Use of Chemicals”. It
provides information about chemicals that are restricted for sale by the
Explosives Act and/or banned by the Board. This is due to properties including
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but not limited to carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic, reactivity and/or environmental
hazard and/or being a designated substance under Regulation 490/09 of the
Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)/Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)/Safety Data Sheet (SDS) are developed by
manufacturers to convey important information on the chemical and physical
properties of a chemical or product. MSDS must be prepared for specific
chemicals, and be current at the time of purchase, as designated by federal
government under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
(WHMIS). Manufacturers create MSDS/SDS for non-controlled products to show
they have done their due diligence and that the products are not hazardous if
used and disposed of according to manufacturer's directions. WHMIS is being
updated with the introduction of the Global Harmonized System (GHS) as of
June 1, 2015.
Equipment
Equipment is anything used in science or technological education to perform a
task, often specialized and requiring training prior to use. This equipment
requires regular maintenance and/or inspection (e.g. fume hood, drill press,
Bunsen burner, oxy-acetylene torch etc).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) reduces or prevents exposure to health
and safety hazards. The equipment acts as a barrier to protect users from
impact to the body, loud noises, heat, and chemicals, biological, electrical and
other hazards. PPE can refer to protective clothing, headgear, shoes, goggles,
glasses, respirators and other safety gear worn or used by staff or students.
PPE for workers is regulated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
(OHSA).
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Waste is regulated by the Ministry of the Environment and the Board
is registered as a hazardous waste generator under Environmental Protection
Act R.R.O. Regulation 347. The Board, in compliance with regulations, has a
system to identify, collect, store and dispose of hazardous waste (e.g. used
motor oil, chemical residue, unused cleaning chemicals, used batteries, etc.).
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Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)
Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) is the placement of a lock and tag on an energyisolating device in accordance with an established procedure, by an trained
individual. It indicates that the energy-isolating device is not to be operated until
removal of the lock and tag in accordance with an established procedure.
Health and Safety Binder
Health and Safety Binder is a specialized binder, specific to a science or
technological education room. It provides information on safe operating
procedures, LOTO, safety training, qualifications and other board or school
procedures.
The Safety in Science and Safety in Technological Education Handbooks
The Safety in Science and Safety in Technological Education Handbooks are
“how-to” documents that provide staff with specific information on the
implementation process for this Policy and Procedures. Handbooks may be
revised by board staff at any time as required.
3.
Responsibilities of Senior Administration
It is the responsibility of the senior administration to ensure that:
3.1
They are familiar with the Safety In Science and Technological Education
Procedures Manual 604-A and that it is implemented.
3.2
School administrators, science and technological education department
leaders, and science and technological education teachers have access to
copies of the Board’s Safety In Science and Technological Education
Policy, Procedures and Handbooks.
3.3
Science and technological education facilities and equipment are
inspected and maintained in a safe condition.
3.4
Board staff is informed about safety policies, procedures and changes in
legislation.
3.5
Support is given to facilitate the work of the Board’s Joint Health and
Safety committee.
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4.
3.6
Safety seminars, workshops and updates (e.g. first-aid, due diligence,
safety procedures, equipment training, etc.) are provided for staff.
3.7
Training on the Safety In Science and Technological Education Policy,
Procedures and Handbook is part of the orientation for new staff.
Responsibilities of the Manager of Health and Safety
It is the responsibility of the Manager of Health and Safety to ensure that:
5.
4.1
The UGDSB Restricted and Banned Chemical List and Handbooks are
reviewed, updated and posted on an annual basis.
4.2
Assistance is provided to the schools for appropriate orientation, in-service
and/or training on Health and Safety and the Handbooks.
4.3
Follow up on orders from the Ministry of Labour investigations is done.
Responsibilities of Plant Operations
It is the responsibility of Plant Operations to:
6.
5.1
Install equipment in science and technological education classrooms as
required and if trained to do so.
5.2
Ensure that repairs to equipment installed in science and technological
education classrooms is completed in a timely fashion.
5.3
Ensure that equipment in science and technological education classrooms
is inspected annually and/or as required and that inspection reports are
sent to the school administrator.
Responsibilities of School Administration
It is the responsibility of the school administrator to ensure that:
6.1
All Board safety policies and procedures related to students and staff are
implemented in accordance with Board policy.
6.2
When allocating and timetabling staff the need to assign qualified science
teachers and technological education teachers to science and
technological education courses is taken into account.
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7.
6.3
Where possible, science and technological courses are assigned to
designated science labs or classrooms and technological education shops
or classrooms. Designated labs, shops and classrooms are those that
comply with health and safety obligations and curriculum expectations for
science and technological education.
6.4
If occasional and/or on-call teachers are used, they are to be given
assignments which do not involve the use of hands-on activities that
require specialized science or technological education equipment and/or
training, unless the occasional or on-call teacher is certified and trained.
Alternative activities that do not require specialized equipment or training
should always be provided.
6.5
Students and parents are provided with a copy of the Student Safety
Agreement which includes the Student Safety Passport and Record. No
student will be permitted to perform hands-on activities unless the Student
Safety Agreement form is signed by both the student and parent/guardian
and is on file at the school.
6.6
The repair or replacement of non-working or outdated science and
technological education materials or equipment is done.
6.7
Current MSDS/SDS are maintained for chemicals on site.
6.8
Purchasing of science and technological education supplies and
equipment comply with Board’s Purchasing Policy #302 including Request
for Approval-Installation of Equipment and the UGDSB Restricted and
Banned Chemical List.
6.9
The Board science and technological education room checklists are
submitted to the Board office and are on file in the school office as
required.
6.10
Hazardous Waste pick-up forms are completed as required, collected, and
submitted to the Board’s Environmental Co-ordinator.
Responsibilities of Department Leader (Secondary Schools Only)
(These responsibilities are assumed by elementary science and technology
teachers, co-ordinated by the Principal.)
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It is the responsibility of Department Leaders to:
7.1
Inform teachers how to access training in the Safety In Science and
Technological Education Policy, Procedures Manual and Handbooks prior
to the commencement of hands on activities, provide ongoing support,
follow all Board documents and to attend training as offered.
7.2
Assist the teacher to maintain and update the Health and Safety Binder
and other documents as required.
7.3
Coordinate the science and technological education rooms checklists
assignment and completion as per the Handbooks.
7.4
Immediately inform their school administrator in writing of any potentially
dangerous situations and/or non-working equipment in science or
technological education rooms.
7.5
Assist teachers to follow the curriculum expectations which include
relevant safety instruction.
7.6
Assist teachers with student safety, equipment and materials required to
do activities, including, but not limited to:
7.7
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chemical and equipment inventory and the purchasing of science and
technological education supplies and equipment that comply with the
Board’s Purchasing Policy #302 including Request for ApprovalInstallation of Equipment and the UGDSB Restricted and Banned
Chemical List
•
MSDS/SDS, storage and disposal of Hazardous Waste
•
LOTO completion
•
retention of the Student Safety Agreement and Safety Passport and
Record.
Assist occasional and/or on-call teachers with their assignments if
required. Assignments will not involve the use of hands on activities that
require specialized science or technological education equipment and/or
training, unless the occasional or on-call teacher is certified and trained.
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Alternative activities that do not require specialized equipment or training
should always be provided.
8.
Responsibilities of Science and Technological Education
Teachers, including Summer and Night School Teachers
“Teachers are responsible for ensuring the safety of students during classroom
activities and for encouraging and motivating students to assume responsibility
for their own safety and the safety of others. They must also ensure that students
acquire the knowledge and skills needed for safe participation in science
activities.” (The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10 Science and Grades 11
and 12 Science, 2008).
“Teachers are also responsible for ensuring the safety of students during
classroom activities and encouraging and motivating students to assume
responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. They must also ensure
that students acquire the knowledge and skills needed for safe participation in all
technological activities.” (The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10
Technological Education and Grades 11 and 12 Technological Education, 2009).
It is the responsibility of Science and Technological Education teachers to:
8.1
Ensure students are always supervised and rooms not in use are locked
and, where possible, powered down so that equipment cannot be used.
8.2
Follow the curriculum expectations which includes relevant safety
instruction.
8.3
Ensure that students, through the health and safety instruction,
understand their rights and responsibilities to:
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know about hazards and what to do about them
•
participate in solving safety problems
•
meet classroom and activities safety expectations including using
personal protective equipment (PPE)
•
work and act in a way that won’t harm themselves or others and
immediately report any hazards or injuries to their teacher.
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8.4
Ensure that all students, including those with accommodation needs, are
thoroughly familiar with and able to implement all the required safety
precautions.
8.5
Ensure at the beginning of the semester or prior to the first hands-on
activity that every student is familiar with the routine to follow in case of an
accident and/or emergencies including the location of emergency
equipment and exits.
8.6
Ensure that students and parents receive and understand the purpose of
Student Safety Agreement and Student Safety Passport and Record.
Ensure all sections of the Student Safety Agreement and the Student
Safety Passport and Record are completed prior to the commencement of
hands-on activities and forms are filed as required.
8.7
Allot sufficient time at the end of hands-on activities for equipment to be
cleaned and put away, for chemicals to be stored properly (including
flammables in flammable storage and acids and bases stored separately),
for work areas to be cleaned, for waste generated to be collected and for
staff and students to wash hands.
8.8
Access training in the Safety In Science and Technological Education
Policy, Procedures Manual and Handbooks prior to the commencement of
hands on activities, follow all Board documents and attend/complete
training as required.
8.9
Maintain and update the Health and Safety Binder and other documents
as required, including the completion of room and/or equipment checklists.
8.10
Immediately inform their school administrator and department leader in
writing of any potentially dangerous situations and/or non-working
equipment in science or technological education rooms.
8.11
Remove student(s) from the hazardous situation(s) as soon as he/she
becomes aware of a health or safety hazard at any time and follow the
steps outlined in the handbook and immediately report any student or staff
incident or accident using the required forms and processes.
8.12
Ensure that when occasional and/or on-call teachers are used, they are to
be given assignments which do not involve the use of hands on activities
that require specialized science or technological education equipment
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and/or training, unless the occasional or on-call teacher is certified and
trained. Alternative activities, that do not require specialized equipment or
training, should always be provided.
9.
Responsibilities of Occasional and On-Call Teachers
It is the responsibility of the occasional and on-call teacher to ensure that:
10.
9.1
Assignments which they accept do not involve the use of hands on
activities that require specialized science or technological education
equipment and/or training, unless they are certified and trained.
Alternative activities, that do not require specialized equipment or training,
should always be provided to the occasional and on-call teacher.
9.2
When possible, they attend training to be certified for science and/or
technological education assignments with the Board.
Responsibilities of Students/Parents
10.1
Science and technological education are hands-on courses. Students will
be doing activities which require the use of chemicals and equipment.
Safety in the classroom must be the number one priority for students and
parents. To ensure a safe environment, a list of rules has been developed
and provided to students and parents in the Student Safety Agreement
and Student Safety Passport and Record. These rules must be followed
at all times.
10.2
After receiving health and safety instruction, students will understand their
rights and responsibilities to: know about hazards and what to do about
them, participate in solving safety problems, meet classroom and activities
safety expectations including using personal protective equipment (PPE),
work and act in a way that won’t harm themselves or others and
immediately report any hazards or injuries to their teacher.
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