Teachers

A teacher is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, prepares lesson plans, and educates students at all levels. Their general tasks may include to:

• Prepare lesson plans, teach students, assign homework, grade tests, and documents progress.
• Carry out the supervisory duties and instructional programs as assigned by the principal.
• Co-operate with the principal and other teachers to establish and maintain a safe environment in the classroom or at the workplace, as well as use consistent disciplinary practices.
• Assist the principal in maintaining co-operation with the community.
• Participate in meetings with students’ parents or guardians.
  

There are several potential health and safety hazards associated with teacher's duties, including:

Biological hazards

• Risk of exposure to blood and infection from others or items.
• Risk of biological hazards such as bacterial, fungi, viruses and other infectious agents such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, coronavirus, etc.
• Exposure to mould.

Chemical hazards

• Injuries from contact with laboratory chemicals, cleaning solutions, plants, or animals.
• Exposure to fumes (e.g., welding) in technical shops.
• Exposure to gases (e.g., carbon monoxide).
• Handling of flammable, reactive, explosive, or corrosive products, especially in the laboratory.

Ergonomic risks

• Sitting for long hours.
• Standing, bending, stretching and lifting.
• Repetitive Motion injuries (RMIs), including carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Inadequate lighting (glare, low levels, etc.) which may cause workers to adopt awkward postures.
  

Physical hazards

• Indoor air quality.
• Noise.
• Temperature (heat and cold stress).
• Exposure to materials such as asbestos in older buildings.

Psychosocial hazards

• Risk for workplace violence and bullying.
• Working with students who require accommodations or assistance.
• Internet harassment.
• Workplace stress.
• Fatigue.

Safety hazards

• Exposure to moving parts in technical shops.
• Electrical hazards.
• Fire hazards.
• Working alone.
• Situations that require appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Slips, trips, and falls.
  

Biological hazards

• Treat all body substances such as blood and bodily fluids as potentially infectious – use safe work practices for infection control when cleaning these substances.
• During situations such as the covid-19 pandemic, follow the guidance from your employer, local public health authority, or government.
• Wash hands regularly, especially before and after working with students and other co-workers to prevent infection.
• Consider immunization against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, influenza, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and others as appropriate.

Chemical Hazards

• Follow your training in WHMIS and safe handling of hazardous products.
• Read and understand the information on the safety data sheets.
• Follow safe work practices.
• Safely store and dispose of products.
• Use a less harmful product where possible.

Physical hazards

• Report indoor air quality concerns to your employer, including if you suspect the ventilation system is not working properly.
• Report when there are issues with the lighting in your work area or classroom.
• Ask for assistance in reducing noise levels.

Psychosocial hazards

• Follow the workplace’s workplace violence prevention policy and program.
• Know how to recognize warning signs of workplace violence, and how to report incidents.
• Know and follow any student safety plans that are in place, as appropriate.

Safety

• Inspect tools and equipment and make sure they are in good condition. Clean all equipment after each use.
• Make sure all sharp equipment is disposed of in a safe manner.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
• Wear appropriate footwear and keep walking surfaces clean.
• When necessary, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including appropriate respirators, masks, eye protection, and gloves.
• Follow electrical safety measures.
• Follow precautions for fire safety, including the use of fire extinguishers.

Teachers should consider the following safe work practices:

• Practice good hand washing techniques.
• Practice safe lifting techniques.
• Work safely with equipment, tools, and ladders.
• Follow SDS recommendations when working with products.
• Properly select, use, maintain and store PPE, where appropriate.
• Understand the risks of fatigue.
• Follow your school or organization’s prevention policies about violence (general).
• Know what to do when working alone (general information).

All workers should:

• follow the school’s or organization’s safety rules.
• know about WHMIS and SDSs.
• know your hazard reporting procedures.
• follow good housekeeping procedures.