Health & Safety

8.5 Access to Information

Under Occupational Health & Safety Regulation (OH&SR) 4.30, the employer must inform all workers of the nature and extent of the risk of violence.

This duty includes providing information about individuals with a known history of violent behaviour whom workers may encounter during their work.
Information must be provided before a worker is exposed to the risk.

Employers must instruct workers on:

• How to recognize the potential for violence

• The procedures, policies, and work environment arrangements developed

• Appropriate responses to incidents of violence, including how to obtain assistance

• The procedures for reporting, investigating, and documenting incidents of violence

Members are sometimes told they cannot be informed about a student’s violent history due to privacy legislation such as FOIPOP, the School Act, or the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
👉 This is incorrect.

You are entitled to know the nature and extent of any risk of violence to which you are exposed. These Acts work together with OH&SR, not against it. 

Section 25 requires that, even if no request for access is made, a school board must disclose information about any risk of significant harm to:

• The environment

• The health and safety of the public or a group of people

Such disclosure must occur without delay when it is clearly in the public interest.

Before disclosure, the board should notify the party to whom the information pertains and the Privacy Commissioner (if practicable).
Anyone receiving such information remains bound by privacy laws.

Section 22(4) clarifies that disclosing personal information is not an unreasonable invasion of privacy if there are compelling circumstances affecting health or safety.

Privacy provisions under the School Act are superseded by FOIPOP.

Section 125 allows disclosure of information in court or police records if it is necessary to ensure the safety of staff, students, or others.
Such records must be:

• Kept separate from other student records

• Accessible only to those who need the information

• Destroyed when no longer required for safety purposes

There is no legal barrier to providing members with information about a student who poses a risk of violence.
In fact, school boards have a duty to disclose the identity of such a student and the nature and extent of the risk. If information is being withheld, members should contact a WorkSafeBC officer or file a FOIPOP request (after consulting with VIWTU).

If you suffer an occupational injury, report it immediately to your supervisor (usually the vice-principal responsible for health and safety) by completing a:

WorkSafeBC Form 6A – “Worker’s Report of Injury or Occupational Disease to Employer.”

Also:

1. Report the injury to the site’s Occupational First Aid Attendant before leaving the workplace.

2. The First Aid record book must be completed as per OH&S Regulation 3.19.

3. If the injury is not reported immediately, you may lose entitlement to WorkSafeBC coverage.

Forms are available at your school or can be downloaded online here
On both pages of Form 6A, write: “The worker requests a copy of the employer’s report be sent to the Workers’ Compensation Board.”

Make and keep copies:

• Send one to VIWTU at pres@viwtu.com

• Keep one for your own records

VIWTU cannot advocate for you unless we are aware of your injury report.

You must also complete WorkSafeBC Form 6 – “Application for Compensation and Report of Injury or Occupational Disease”, either online or through Teleclaim. 

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 1-888-WORKERS (1-888-967-5377)

Teleclaim allows you to report your injury and apply for compensation by phone (takes about an hour).
Use it in addition to Form 6A

For a visual guide to how WCB claims are filed for BCTF members, click [insert link].

Heat Stress Exposure Control Plan

If your classroom or workspace is too hot or too cold, follow these steps:

1. Fill out the Hazard Reporting Form, see here.

2. Select your school/worksite

3. Enter the exact location (e.g., Room 203, Boys’ Washroom, 2nd floor)

4. Add your Supervisor/Administrator’s email

5. Describe the hazard, including temperature readings and times recorded

6. Rate the seriousness of the hazard (High Risk = immediate attention needed)

7. Indicate if anyone was hurt (should be “No”)

8. Report the same information to your Principal and Health & Safety Rep

The issue should be discussed at the site-based JOHSC.
Document all responses and actions.

If unresolved, contact WorkSafeBC Prevention Line: 1-888-621-SAFE.

If heat impacts your health and you need to take sick days, follow the WorkSafeBC Teleclaim procedure above.

Acceptable IAQ Temperature Ranges (WorkSafeBC):

Summer

• 30% humidity → 23–27°C

• 50% humidity → 23–26°C

• 60% humidity → 23–26°C

Winter

• 30% humidity → 20–24°C

• 50% humidity → 20–24°C

• 60% humidity → 20–24°C

• Elimination/Substitution

  1. Can the job be done in a cooler environment?

• Engineering Controls

  1. Improve ventilation

  2. Insulate or cover hot surfaces

  3. Install shields/barriers

  4. Reduce humidity

• Administrative Controls

  1. Post warning signs

  2. Provide cool-down areas

  3. Acclimate workers to heat

  4. Ensure water is available

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  1. Use only in combination with other controls

  2. Ensure equipment is tested and functioning