A culture of co-operation By Jillian Mitchell
It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. Fittingly, the School Safety Association of British Columbia (SSABC) i aims for that spirit of co-operation as an association committed to the safety of staff and students working and learning in school districts across the province. From playground safety to storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals, safety concerns in the education sector require careful consideration. Fortunately, the SSABC stays on top of its game. “We know the challenges we have on our desks, but you never know what’s coming around the corner,” says SSABC president Collette O’Reilly of School District No. 39 (Vancouver). “In terms of occupational health and safety, it’s constantly changing and expanding. It’s a fascinating area of work and very rewarding.” With membership from more than 29 of the province’s school districts, the collective of occupational health and safety professionals has proudly partnered with likeminded associations to augment its initiatives, services and resources. In 1996, four school districts collaborated to comply with the then new federal legislation called MSDSfetch regarding safety information for hazardous chemicals. A WHMIS-compliant industry standard, MSDSfetch has evolved to support many municipalities, school districts and other public organizations. In its time, this novel fax-back system, designed by SSABC current vicepresident Terry Gomez of School District No. 41 (Burnaby), was forward-thinking. As a collective, the districts sought and gained WorkSafeBC approval that such a system complied with the requirements. This strategic partnership was the seed from which the SSABC was born in 1999, and the association has sought out additional collaborations ever since.
The School Safety Association of British Columbia (SSABC) was formerly known as the British Columbia School Safety Association (BCSSA).
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