Education Director commends results, highlighting aim for zero incidents
The Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) reported a reduction in workplace injuries among its non-teaching staff over the first eight months of 2024, according to a safety update presented during a board meeting on Oct. 21. The report, which reviewed data from the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) covering Dec. 31, 2023, to Aug. 31, 2024, indicated a total of seven injuries for the year to date.
Director of Education Neil Finch highlighted the report, noting an encouraging downward trend in injury rates compared to previous years. Of the seven cases, three incidents involved educational assistants (EAs), who represent the largest proportion of support staff. The remaining injuries were distributed among caretakers, a bus driver, and another staff member.
“We’re excited about that piece,” Finch said. “On the EA side, being at three injuries in the first eight months is a good starting point. Obviously, we’d want to be at zero as an ideal, but it’s an improvement from where we’ve been at in the last couple of years.”
The report only includes non-teaching staff, as teachers are excluded from WCB claims. Injuries recorded in the WCB database generally require medical attention and cover various support roles, such as caretakers, maintenance staff, library clerks, and educational assistants.
Maintaining a safety-first approach
As part of its commitment to staff safety, SRPSD adheres to the Certificate of Recognition (COR) standards, one of the few school divisions in the area to do so. This certification, which involves an external audit every three years, is among several initiatives the division has implemented to reduce workplace incidents. The division’s safety team, comprising the Superintendent of Facilities, the Human Resources Manager, and the Director of Education, continues to focus on improvements, with a target of zero injuries as the end goal.
While four months remain in the WCB calendar year, Finch and the safety team remain optimistic that SRPSD will maintain or improve upon its current numbers.
