***Version française au bas de la page*** While providing OSBIE risk management consultation services, presentations, and workshops across the province OSBIE is often asked – as an employee of the school board, am I liable? As an employee of the school board, you are protected if your actions or inactions lead to an injury or damage, while you are acting…
Students love to help. It gives them a sense of responsibility and the feeling of being a valued member of the school community. Common types of student helper tasks include stacking chairs, moving desks, AV carts, and emptying recycling bins. While well-intentioned, the risk management concerns related to having student “helpers” assist with moving furniture and equipment or performing maintenance…
***Version française au bas de la page*** During the winter season consistent removal of snow and ice reduces the hazard of slip and fall injuries. However, stockpiling large amounts of plowed snow on the school property may create other hazards and liability exposures. Man-made snow hills entice children to climb, slide and tunnel on the hill and can create what…
***Version française au bas de la page*** It seemed challenging to craft one blog posting that would be relevant for everyone given our current diverse learning environment. So, we decided to post 2 quick blogs in 1! If you’re back to a brick-and-mortar school this week, here are OSBIE’s Risk Management recommendations for one of Ontario’s favourite winter pastimes: Snow…
***Version française en bas de la page*** There are lots of changes this year. Staff and students have much to learn and put into practice on how to navigate our new school environment, along with a continued responsibility to provide adequate supervision. Courts have defined ”adequate supervision” as a product of many variables and can be provided by school board…
***Version française au bas de la page*** While the province is starting to relax restrictions and permit the reopening of businesses along with some outdoor recreational amenities and summer camp programs, school boards are starting to ask, “How do we manage this exposure?” Outlining the duty of care owed specific to COVID-19 will assist all school board staff to identify…
While COVID-19 has resulted in the cancellation of many activities and events, we are pleased to share that OSBIE presentations are not one of them! OSBIE is offering a series of webinars during the month of June at no charge for our members. Here’s a chance to sharpen and enhance your insurance and risk management knowledge from the comfort of…
***Version française au bas de la page*** “During the COVID-19 pandemic, with adolescents likely to use digital platforms even more for personal or educational purposes, there could be a concurrent increase in cyberbullying, an expert warned. When smartphones and social media became ubiquitous for students, cyberbullying rates went up,” Sameer Hinduja, PhD, professor of criminology and criminal justice at Florida…
***Version française au bas de la page*** As schools adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic, many have shifted to communicating remotely using video conference platforms like Zoom, prompting a hacking phenomenon known as “Zoom-bombing.” In a typical attack, an unwanted perpetrator tries to disrupt an online class by hacking in and displaying images and language that may be pornographic, hateful or…
***Version française au bas de la page*** With the Provincial government mandating that schools remain closed to students until at least May 4th, 2020, school boards are looking at ways to support and educate our students. We wanted to assure all OSBIE members that teachers and staff working within the scope of their duties for the school board are covered…
