ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO

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Engaging Our Members

protections to vulnerable workers. The roles and 
responsibilities of workers and supervisors under 
the OHSA will need to be clarified in the context 
of this legislative change, particularly for associ-
ate teachers and principals. CB staff worked with 
Professional Development/Learning Services staff 
and legal counsel to develop a memorandum to 
presidents as well as additional information about 
the implications of this legislative change.

Classroom Keys for OTs

An ETFO survey of occasional teacher presidents 
during the year revealed that 25 of 32 Ontario 
public school boards do not consistently provide 
classroom keys to occasional teachers working in 
elementary schools. The ability to independently 
lock and unlock the classroom door in the event of 
a lockdown emergency is an essential component 
of school-level lockdown plans. These findings 
were presented, in discussions at the MOU Task 
Force on Health and Safety, consultations with the 
Ministry on revisions to the provincial lockdown 
policy and in negotiations at the central bargaining 
table for teachers and occasional teachers.

Noise Protection Requirements

In January, ETFO contributed to the Ministry of 
Labour’s consultation on extending noise protec-

tion requirements under the Occupational Health 
and Safety Act. The Federation’s report identified 
several factors affecting noise levels in classrooms, 
the health effects and hazards of high noise levels 
and the impact of noise on speech-language com-
munication, particularly for students with special 
education needs and young children. The report 
noted that Britain and the United States have guid-
ance documents focusing on the acoustic environ-
ment of school buildings, but Canada does not. 
One recommendation called for the development 
of a provincial guidance document on noise man-
agement in non-industrial workplaces including 
school communities.

Health and Safety Training

Regional Workshops

In May, 10 locals participated in ETFO’s three-day 
Health and Safety Training, Women’s Program work-
shop hosted by Thames Valley Teacher Local. In 
June, nine locals participated in the three-day 
Health and Safety in the Workplace program host-
ed by Lakehead Teacher Local. These workshops 
focused on dealing with health and safety issues 
for ETFO members such as: effective monthly 
inspections; the powers of the Joint Health and 
Safety Committee (JHSC); workplace violence; 
indoor air quality; asbestos; and emergency pro-
cedures. The workshops also highlighted recent 
legislative and policy changes related to health 
and safety in our school communities. 

Provincial Health and Safety Conference

This well attended event, hosted by ETFO in 
November, provided an opportunity for health 
and safety activists to engage with experts about 
challenges such as risk assessment and safety 
planning, electrical safety, WSIB claims for injury 
and illness and indoor air quality. 

Photo: Christine Cousins