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To some, occupational health and safety is a sombre subject, but it had its moment in the sun during a celebration at W.F. Herman Academy. The special day was proclaimed in order to raise awareness about the importance of physical and mental health and safety in the workplace.
The GECDSB’s enthusiastic Health and Safety Officer, Tim Lauzon, addressed the gathering of students, staff, senior administration, Trustees and special guests, “This event provides us with the opportunity to further promote workplace health and safety through education, safety and health rights, responsibilities and prevention measures.”
Education is the key to health and safety awareness, particularly for young people. All 13,000 GECDSB secondary students will be completing Ontario’s “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training. Chairperson of the Board, Gale Hatfield, stated, “This is the start of the journey to help them understand their rights as an employee, to look after themselves while they are on the job and what they can do about situations where they may question if they are safe or not.”
Director of Education, Erin Kelly, adds, “Before many of these students ever venture into a workplace, they will have a foundation of knowledge that will keep them and their colleagues safe on the job. This program will help them not only know their rights as workers but will give them an awareness of potential hazards they may face.”
Special guest speaker, Dr. Joel Moody, Chief Prevention Officer for the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Skilled Trades explained his roles and restated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that all Ontarians feel safe at work and return home healthy and whole. “Everyone that we know has a responsibility and a role about keeping themselves and their workplaces healthy and safe. For example, workers have a duty to report and employers have a duty to address these problems. We at the Ministry will ensure that this happens. As a young worker…you have to ask. Do not be afraid to question what you are doing when you are on the job.”
W.F. Herman Academy secondary students spoke about their experience incorporating Health and Safety training in their work and school experiences. Denese, Gauge and Zoey elaborated on the training they have received on the job and emphasized the importance of the Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps training, particularly when it comes to advocating for themselves and their safety at work.
On April 28th the GECDSB honoured the Workers Day of Mourning by hosting a flag-lowering ceremony at Riverside Secondary School, remembering those who have lost their lives, suffered accidents, injuries or illness on the job, or experienced a work-related tragedy. All Board facilities lowered their flags to half-mast to observe the Day of Mourning.
The GECDSB extends our gratitude to everyone who helped to make these events possible, particularly Health and Safety Officer Tim Lauzon, Riverside Secondary School Principal, Dina Salinitri and W.F. Herman Academy Principal, Desreen Burnett. Thank you as well to our esteemed guests – Chairperson of the Board Gale Hatfield, Director Erin Kelly, Dr. Joel Moody, Andrew Dowie MPP, union leaders, students and staff.
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