Sometimes good comes out of bad. A lawyer in a workplace accident case proposed a “creative sentence” for her client – providing funds for an online job safety course.
Sometimes good comes out of bad.
A lawyer in a workplace accident case proposed a “creative sentence” for her client – providing funds for an online job safety course.
The court agreed and ordered the defendant to give $85,000 to Pembina Hills and the Alberta Distance Learning Centre.
The money will be used to develop and deliver the Advanced Construction Course, which will be available to high school students, first-year apprentices in the building industry and any adult.
PHRD Supt. Colleen Symyrozum-Watt revealed the story behind the course at last Wednesday’s school board meeting.
“Our school division is proud of its track record of innovation, effectiveness and accountability in the creation and provision of online education,” said Symyrozum-Watt.
“We are confident we will be successful in the creation and implementation of the proposed Advanced Construction Course.”
Trustees learned that McLennan Ross lawyer Teresa Haykowsky contacted Pembina Hills in August about a creative solution in a case involving an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) infraction.
PHRD did some research and put together a proposal, which was taken back to the Crown and the court.
On Oct. 16, Judge Henderson of the Provincial Court of Alberta issued a court order, accepting Haykowsky’s plan on behalf of her client.
Last week PHRD received the $85,000 cheque, a copy of which was shown to trustees.
Symyrozum-Watt said the worksite safety course would be added to other PHRD workplace courses. It will teach a wide range of basic safety practices.
“The course will not require any pre-requisites, the impact of which is that the course will be accessible to anyone considering or employed in a trade as well as Work Experience and Registered Apprenticeship Program students,” she said.
Symyrozum-Watt said the course covers applying OH&S regulations and accepted safe work practices in the following areas: working alone, working with compressed air, maintaining equipment guards, trench and excavation safety, floor openings, fall protections and asbestos abatement.
Students will learn to assess and address potential safety hazards. These include loading scaffolding, working in heat and cold, being wary of fatigue, dealing with wood dust, lead-based paint and carbon monoxide dangers, ensuring back safety, and extinguishing and preventing fires.
Symyrozum-Watt said the 25-hour course would be for one credit, which may be used towards the completion of a high school diploma.
She added that ADLC would design the course so that it is delivered online.
“As this course has no pre-requisites, it will be marketed to school age students and adults,” she said. “In relation to adult students, the division will market this course as a pre-employment or job readiness course.”
Trustees welcomed news of the $85,000.
New PHRD chair Kim Webster said it was the first time she had heard of the division receiving funds in this manner.
She suggested a letter of appreciation be sent to lawyer Haykowsky.
Annette Bokenfohr made a motion that a letter be sent. The board accepted.
