Health and Safety Policy

School premises and online learning  |  2026–2027

Purpose and responsibility

USCA Academy is committed to safe, accessible and respectful learning and working environments. This policy applies to students, staff, visitors and school activities, including online instruction. The owner provides resources and fulfils employer duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA); the principal coordinates school procedures.

Prevention and safe activities

Staff report hazards promptly and follow safe work procedures. The principal arranges inspections, corrective action and safety instruction. Keep exits clear and equipment maintained. Before laboratories, physical activities, or excursions, teachers assess risks, explain precautions, and arrange appropriate supervision, protective equipment, and accommodations. At-home experiments require prior teacher approval and safe materials; use a safer alternative where risks cannot be controlled.

Emergencies and student health

For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911 or the local emergency number, then notify the school. Follow site procedures for evacuation, lockdown, first aid, student accounting and family notification. Maintain emergency contacts, trained responders, first aid supplies, and recorded drills as required. For online emergencies, establish the student’s location and contact local responders when needed.

Families and adult students provide current emergency and relevant medical information. Establish individual plans for serious allergies and other health needs, including medication authorization, accessible emergency medication and staff instructions. Follow local public health directions on communicable illness, reporting and infection prevention. Refer well-being concerns promptly to the principal for support and appropriate services.

Respectful conduct and online safety

Bullying, discrimination, violence and harassment, including sexual and online harassment, are prohibited. Use approved platforms, protect passwords and personal information, restrict access to classes and report harmful content or privacy breaches. Obtain required consent before recording or sharing student images or lessons. Respond promptly and fairly, with protection, accommodations and follow-up.

Reporting and response

Report hazards, injuries, near misses and safety concerns immediately to a teacher or principal; staff also report to their supervisor. If a complaint concerns the principal or supervisor, report to the owner; if it concerns the owner, the school must provide an independent reporting contact and investigator. Protect against reprisals, investigate appropriately, share information only as needed and communicate required findings and corrective action.

Anyone with reasonable grounds to suspect that a child under 16 needs protection must report directly and immediately to a children’s aid society; an internal report does not replace this duty. Further grounds require a further report. The owner may also report protection concerns about a 16- or 17-year-old. Do not delay a report to investigate internally.

Implementation and annual review

The owner maintains the required workplace safety, violence and harassment programs, risk assessments, worker training, and, where required, a health and safety representative or committee. The principal securely retains safety records and ensures required external notifications. Review this policy and workplace violence and harassment policies at least annually and after significant changes.

Owner approval __________________  Principal __________________  Effective date __________
Annual review date __________

Official sources checked October 17, 2026: OHSA  |  Harassment program  |  Curriculum safety  |  Child protection s125  |  Private schools